Aircraft Disinsection in Key West, FL: Key West International Airport (EYW)

About Key West International Airport

The 5,076-ft runway at Key West keeps operations nimble, favoring the light and midsize jets that bring visitors down the Overseas Highway’s flight path. Airline service connects the island to the mainland hubs while the GA ramp works a steady leisure trade. Cuba sits close enough to see on charts, and the wider Caribbean opens beyond it. Island departures under treatment rules get disinsected right at EYW, certificate in hand.

On the field at EYW

EYW lies 2 miles east of Key West, Florida, 3 feet above sea level. Runway 09/27 gives EYW 5,076 feet of asphalt, 100 feet wide. EYW is towered and holds a Part 139 airport operating certificate. U.S. Customs operates on the field: EYW is a designated airport of entry. FBOs serving EYW include Signature Aviation EYW; we treat the aircraft at whichever ramp or hangar it is parked on. The treatment is scheduled around your departure from EYW and completed before passengers arrive.

Where the aircraft disinsection requirement comes from

The requirement belongs to the country you are flying to, and it is met at the last port before that country. Leave Key West non-stop and EYW is that port, so pre-embarkation treatment of the empty aircraft here, before boarding, satisfies the destinations that accept the method. Add a stop and the picture changes; tell us the routing and we will place the treatment correctly.

From EYW the requirement most often shows up on short Caribbean sectors, Barbados above all, where the flight is so routine that the arrival rules get overlooked. Barbados, Brazil, Paraguay are the other common cases. The length of the flight out of Key West does not change the requirement; a treated aircraft and a certificate are expected on arrival either way.

The aircraft disinsection process on the EYW ramp

On the day, the sequence at EYW is simple: our crew is at your hangar or FBO ahead of time, the cabin is confirmed empty and prepared, the treatment is applied to the WHO method through cabin, flight deck and holds, and the aircraft rests, ventilates and is released for boarding after the required wait. Your crew receives the certificate and the details to enter on the General Declaration before the door closes.

EYW at a glance

Countries that require disinsection, served from EYW

From EYW: Chile, Barbados, Brazil, Paraguay, and the rest of the destinations we serve. The full table of aircraft disinsection requirements by country covers every destination we have verified for EYW departures. Australia and New Zealand carry operator paperwork we help with; if either is on a Key West itinerary, start early.