It is named after Sir James Fitz-Allen Mitchell, KCMG, PC, MP, former Premier (1972-1974) and Prime Minister (1984-2000) of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

SVG Air and Mustique Airways have combined to form the Grenadine Alliance,[2] operating 17 aircraft, with bases in St. Vincent, Antigua and Grenada,[3] offering visitors and residents a wider choice of international gateways in and out of the country.

[4] The opening of the J. F. Mitchell Airport in 1992 has made the island far more accessible, with regular scheduled and charter flights from Barbados, St. Lucia and St. Vincent.

In 1974, Sir William Halcrow and Partners in association with the UK Transport Development Unit produced a design for a 4,000-foot runway at Paget Farm.

The airport is capable of handling smaller business jets as well as regional turboprop airliners such as the Bombardier Dash 8 and ATR 42/72.

The passenger terminal is a single-story building consisting of check-in desks, departure lounge and baggage handling areas as well as customs and immigration facilities.

This has had devastating impacts, including marine litter being trapped in the heart of the community and an inadequate drainage system that leads to the formation of stagnant storm and runoff waters.

Vast amounts of marine debris now accumulate in a small swamp located between the main street of the community of Paget Farm and the sports field built on the reclaimed land.

The issue is further complicated by the creation of a problematic drainage system that was intended to direct the runoff water from the hillside into the sea via a ditch into the above inlet.

The poor design and sedimentation of the ditch further exacerbates flooding risk and causes persistent standing water during the wet season, providing prime habitat for mosquitoes which carry diseases such as Chikungunya, which causes severe joint pain, fever, rashes and nausea, swept the Caribbean region in 2014.

While the main causes of the unhealthy state of Paget Farm's environment is due to engineering/structural issues, it has been acknowledged and emphasized by many in the community that littering is a local contributing factor.