Opening Hours

The VIP Lounge facility at the Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw International Airport is open upon request.  These requests are submitted in writing to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at least 72 hours in advance of the date of arrival or departure of those concerned and only those who are eligible would be approved. For eligibility please see Annex 1.

Bookings

All requests for the use of the lounge should be made by Diplomatic Notes, letters and emails accompanied by the VIP lounge request form (Annex 2).    Requests should be sent to emails foreignaffairs@mofa.gov.kn shara.maynard@mofa.gov.kn or thouvia.france@mofa.gov.kn or marva.pinney@mofa.gov.kn  All requests for the use of the lounge will be considered.

For arrivals and departures during the weekend and on Mondays, requests should be sent to the Protocol and Consular Division by noon on Wednesday to ensure that they are processed on time.

Information required for Use of the Lounge:

The following information for the request of the VIP Lounge is required:

  1. Name, designation, flight details of the VIP(s) including times of arrival and departure and any transiting stops
  2. Type of visit (Official/Private/working/transit)
  3. Details of the accompanying delegation, if any, such as name and designation
  4. Name(s) and designation (s) of officers who will be meeting or seeing off the VIP at the lounge

The maximum number of officers who could use the VIP Lounge to receive or -bid farewell to a VIP is restricted to the maximum of 3 persons however; this is subject to change as a result of the type of visit.

Vehicles

Drivers and attendants will be allowed to access the VIP car park at the airport or the airport tarmac for high level visits (Heads of States and Governments). For security purposes, the number of vehicles entering the parking area for VIPs will be restricted to those transporting or working with the VIP.

For persons who are allowed vehicular access to the parking area of the Lounge, the following information should be provided to Airport Security:

  1. The Registration number of the vehicle
  2. The name of driver; and
  3. The name(s) of any other persons (s) in the vehicle

Airport Regulations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will act in accordance with the existing Airport Security Regulations when facilitating VIPs through the VIP lounge.

Access to the VIP Lounge

  1. A VIP Lounge request form (Annex 2) should be submitted requesting the use of the Lounge
  2. If the visit of the VIP is during the weekday, the key should be collected from the offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to gain access to the Lounge.
  3. Upon the collection the Key card, an ID would have to be provided in its replacement.
  4. After the use of the lounge the key card should promptly be returned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  5. If the key is not collected from the Ministry of Affairs access will also be secured through the officers within the Protocol Division. or via the Airport Manager or Head of Airport Operations upon instructions of the. Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Protocol Division.
  6. Appropriate Airport Passes will be used to gain access to the Lounge.
  7. To gain access to the Airport Tarmac a security vest should always be worn.

screenings will be completed.

Baggage

Except for a limited few (1-3 Annex 1) passengers should check-in their own luggage with airlines before proceeding to the VIP Lounge. Only carry-on luggage and Diplomatic pouches should be brought into the lounge.

Chauffeurs of VIPs will be responsible for locating and assisting with the luggage of VIPs upon arrival and departure.

No Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any restricted area of the airport including the VIP Lounge.

Dress

Dress for the Lounge should be appropriate for the facility (business wear or business casual).

Airport Security Clearance

All persons must clear airport security checks inclusive of customs before gaining access to the lounge.  For persons who are not holders of Airport Security ID passes, it is necessary to obtain temporary passes from Airport Security.

VIP and members of their travelling party inclusive of officers attached to the delegation are required to undergo all immigration and customs processing and security screenings.  Pre-boarding examinations may be required by the airline as per their regulations. Heads of States and Governments will not be subjected to security screening.

Pets

Pets are not allowed in any of the restricted areas of the airport including the VIP lounge.

Firearms

All Diplomatic Missions or their agents must seek approval for a license prior to importing firearms into St. Kitts and Nevis. When importing a firearm, the following details should be provided in writing to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Aviation:

  1. Full Specification of the firearm
  2. Serial number of the weapon and the number of rounds of ammunition
  3. Name of the dignitary being protected
  4. Name and designation of the security officer (s) carrying the firearm

Documentation is then forwarded to the Ministry of National Security, with the attention of the Commissioner of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force for approval.

If allowed to travel with their arms, Bodyguards/security officers are permitted to carry their arms and ammunition up to the Immigration Counter where they are required to declare the same.

The arms and ammunition are handed over to the police for safe custody until their departure from the Federation.

The Arms and ammunition are turned over to the bodyguards/security officers, at the airport on the day of departure.

The Ministry of National Security makes and provides the required security arrangements for foreign dignitaries on the basis of threat perception.