Photo: Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, 2000.
In the simplest cases, a commercial airport is a dirt strip that can accommodate small propeller planes (the above plane is a Cessna 208 Caravan that can seat 9 passengers) during daytime and under normal weather conditions. In the case of Corn Island, the airstrip spans the whole width of the Island, so it is unlikely that it can handle much larger planes. The “terminal” is a cabin where tickets are sold, and passengers can wait since the schedule tends to be flexible. Passengers are often responsible for bringing their own luggage by the side of the plane. This type of service is prevalent within small archipelagos, such as in the Caribbean.