St. Lucia Airways Limited was a privately owned company founded in 1975. General and tourist flights were operated mainly to Martinique and Barbados, but also extended throughout the Caribbean and South America. There was also a shuttle service between the two St. Lucia airports of Vigie and Hewannora. A Boeing 707 was acquired in 1982 for cargo charter work. Head office was listed as PO Box 253, Castries, St. Lucia, West Indies.[1]
History
During the 1986 arms for hostages scandal, U.S. Marine Corps Col. Oliver North arranged for shipments of Raytheon MIM-23 HAWK antiaircraft missiles to Israel. "The CIA's air branch suggested a proprietary which did clandestine work for the agency - St. Lucia Airways." The CIA congressional relations man, Clair George, was unavailable, so Duane Clarridge, the Latin America division chief, checked with the acting Deputy Director of Operations, Ed Juchniewicz, who told North that, in addition to its proprietary work, St. Lucia operated as a commercial venture. So it was available to anyone for special charter operations.[2]
"North arranged for St. Lucia to provide two Boeing 707s. They were able to carry HAWK antiaircraft missiles to Israel, where the HAWKs were transferred to Israeli planes for transit to Iran. North was running the operation through a Swiss bank account, Lake Resources, Inc. (number 386-430-22-1 at Crédit Suisse). For coming up with an airline on short notice, North told [Vice Adm. John] Poindexter on their interoffice computer, 'Clarridge deserves a medal.'".
Located in Boguis Babonneau St Lucia lies the ruins of Fair Helen Plantation. What remains is the wheel that used the rivers energy to provide electricity.
Morne Fortune Museum gives a historical insight into the country St. Lucia. Open to visitors and St. Lucian nationals, the Museum tells the story of our people, our country's evolution from the early inhabitants and the events that lead to us being an independent nation.
We highlight the military significance of Morne Fortune over the years, and its historic sites. Another feature of the establishment is the art gallery, where one can enjoy and also purchase artwork from many talented artists. The small gift shop offers local crafts, prints, books, gifts, merchandise, apparel and other souvenir items. Morne Fortune Museum is located right next to the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College and the OECS Commission office. Call for Saturday tours.
On display are a variety of ancient artifacts used as tools by the Caribs