Saint Martin's Unique Airport Setup: One Island, Two Airports

The Caribbean island of Saint Martin is served by two airports: Princess Juliana International Airport (IATA: SXM, ICAO: TNCM) and Grand Case L'Espérance Airport (SFG). Princess Juliana International Airport is the main airport on the island and is located on the Dutch side of the island, in the country of Sint Maarten. It is the second busiest airport in the hemisphere and offers access to commercial airlines as well as charter planes, helicopters, and private jets. Grand Case L'Espérance Airport, located on the French side of the island, is a smaller public-use airport that offers regular international flights to destinations such as Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

Princess Juliana International Airport is the main airport on the Dutch side of Saint Martin

The airport has a single runway, numbered 10/28, and is known for its very low-altitude flyover landing approaches due to its proximity to Maho Beach. The beach is a popular spot for plane spotting, despite the dangers, as arriving aircraft fly low over the beach during the final approach. The airport has two radar systems with ranges of 50 and 250 nautical miles, and its air traffic controllers manage 4,000 square NM of airspace, known as the Juliana TCA.

Princess Juliana International Airport serves as a hub for Winair and is a crucial gateway for the smaller Leeward Islands, including Anguilla, Saba, Saint Barthélemy, and Sint Eustatius. It handles a variety of aircraft, ranging from Cessnas to Boeing 747s, and has daily or weekly service to various destinations. The airport has undergone several upgrades over the years, including the construction of a new terminal and a Runway End Safety Area to comply with ICAO rules.

In 2017, the airport suffered significant damage from Hurricane Irma, which destroyed the roof of the terminal and caused flooding on the runway. The airport reopened temporarily in October 2017 while repairs were underway, and the entire reconstruction process lasted until 2024, with new facilities and improved systems implemented.

The airport is named after Queen Juliana of the Netherlands

Princess Juliana International Airport (IATA: SXM, ICAO: TNCM) is the main airport on the Caribbean island of Saint Martin. The airport is located on the Dutch side of the island, in the country of Sint Maarten, close to the shore of Simpson Bay Lagoon. It is named after Queen Juliana of the Netherlands, who landed there in 1944, the year after the airport opened, when she was heir presumptive.

The airport is one of the oldest and busiest in the region, handling 1,829,543 passengers and around 60,000 aircraft movements in 2015. It serves as a hub for Winair and is the major gateway for the smaller Leeward Islands, including Anguilla, Saba, Saint Barthélemy and Sint Eustatius. The airport has very low-altitude flyover landing approaches because one end of its runway is extremely close to the shore and Maho Beach. This proximity to the beach has made the airport one of the world's favourite places among plane spotters, despite the dangers.

The airport has a single runway numbered 10/28, measuring 7,546 by 148 feet (2,300 m × 45 m). Local airport rules prohibit aircraft from flying lower than 500 feet (150 m), but arriving aircraft often approach the island on the last section of the final approach for Runway 10, following a 3° glide slope flying low over Maho Beach. In 2017, a New Zealand woman died from injuries sustained by jet blast from a departing aircraft. Tourists have been criticised for dangerous behaviour on the beach.

The airport has two radar systems at the disposal of PJIA air traffic controllers, with ranges of 50 nautical miles (93 km) and 250 nautical miles (460 km). The controllers manage 4,000 square NM of airspace, known as the Juliana TCA, around the airport. They provide approach, tower and ground control at PJIA, as well as approach control for several other nearby airports.

The airport is known for its very low-altitude flyover landing approaches

Princess Juliana International Airport, located on the Dutch side of Saint Martin, is known for its dramatic, very low-altitude flyover landing approaches. The airport's runway is extremely close to the shore of Simpson Bay Lagoon and Maho Beach. In fact, aircraft landing at the airport have been known to fly as low as just a few feet above Maho Beach, providing a thrilling experience for onlookers. The unique landing experience at Princess Juliana International Airport has made it a popular destination for plane spotters and aviation enthusiasts alike.

The low-altitude flyover landing approaches at Princess Juliana International Airport are a result of the airport's proximity to the shore and Maho Beach. The airport has a single runway, numbered 10/28, which measures 7,546 feet in length and 148 feet in width. Arriving aircraft approach the island on the last section of the final approach for Runway 10, following a 3-degree glide slope that takes them low over Maho Beach. While this provides a spectacular viewing experience for those on the beach, it has also raised safety concerns. In 2017, a woman from New Zealand was killed by the jet blast of a departing aircraft, and tourists have often been criticised for their dangerous behaviour in the area.

To ensure safety, local airport rules prohibit aircraft from flying lower than 500 feet (150 metres) above the ground. Additionally, a Runway End Safety Area (RESA) of 150 metres, including a 60-metre overrun on both ends of the runway, was constructed to comply with international aviation standards. These measures aim to provide a buffer zone and reduce the risk of accidents during take-off and landing.

Despite the risks, Princess Juliana International Airport remains a popular destination for aviation enthusiasts and photographers. The dramatic landings, with large aircraft flying just above the beach, have become a well-known phenomenon, with images and videos often shared on social media. The airport is easily accessible from most metropolitan centres in the United States, with a 2 to 3-hour commute from cities on the East Coast. It also receives jumbo jets from Europe, mainly Paris and Amsterdam, making it a crucial hub for travel to the Caribbean island of Saint Martin.

Grand Case L'Espérance Airport is the smaller airport on the French side of the island

The Caribbean island of Saint Martin is home to two airports: Princess Juliana International Airport and Grand Case L'Espérance Airport. While Princess Juliana International Airport is the primary aviation gateway to the island, Grand Case L'Espérance Airport is the smaller airport on the French side of the island.

Grand Case L'Espérance Airport, also known as Grand Case Airport (French: Aérodrome de Grand-Case Espérance), is a public-use airport located in the town of Grand Case. The airport is managed by EDEIS, a major player in airport operations and engineering in France. Grand Case L'Espérance Airport mainly serves regional passenger aircraft flying to nearby Caribbean islands such as Guadeloupe and Saint Barthélemy, as well as private aircraft. The airport is known for offering the quickest transfers for commercial inter-island aircraft. In addition to its regional and private aviation services, the airport also operates regular international flights to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

The airport underwent a significant renovation project that was completed in 2017. This renovation included the modernisation of the terminal building, an upgrade to the fire station, an extended parking apron, and the construction of a new control tower. A year later, in 2018, a new hangar for line maintenance was also completed. These improvements were aimed at enhancing the functionality and efficiency of the airport.

Grand Case, the town where the airport is located, is known for its relaxed beach atmosphere, enchanting waters, and European-style beach clubs and restaurants. Visitors to Grand Case can enjoy a range of boutique shops, local eateries, and French restaurants and beach clubs. The Hotel L'Esplanade, perched on the hillside overlooking Grand Case Bay, is a notable accommodation option known for its artistic and worldly design, blending Caribbean and Mediterranean elements.

In summary, Grand Case L'Espérance Airport serves as a vital gateway to the French side of Saint Martin, offering convenient connections to nearby Caribbean islands and facilitating international travel. The airport's efficient operations and modern infrastructure contribute to its role in supporting the aviation needs of the island.

The town of Grand Case is home to the second airport, with regular international flights

The Caribbean island of Saint Martin is served by two airports. The primary airport is Princess Juliana International Airport (IATA: SXM, ICAO: TNCM), located on the Dutch side of the island, in the country of Sint Maarten. The airport is named after Queen Juliana of the Netherlands, who landed there in 1944, the year after it opened. It is the second busiest airport in the hemisphere, offering commercial airline services, as well as charter planes, helicopters, and private jets.

The town of Grand Case on the French side of the island is home to the second airport, with regular international flights. Known as Grand Case L'Espérance Airport (SFG), it is a smaller, more modest airport compared to Princess Juliana. It is used for both commercial and private aviation, as well as helicopter charters. Despite being lesser-known, Grand Case L'Espérance Airport still offers international flights to destinations such as Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Paris, Miami, and St. Barth.

Grand Case itself is known for its relaxed beach atmosphere, enchanting waters, and European-style beach clubs and restaurants. The area boasts vacation rentals, boutique shops, and small boutique hotels offering easy access to the shoreline and seaside living. Hotel L'Esplanade, perched on the hillside overlooking Grand Case Bay, is a notable accommodation option for its artistic and worldly design, blending Caribbean and Mediterranean elements.

The two airports on Saint Martin reflect the island's unique cultural blend, with the Dutch side known for its dense population centers and vibrant nightlife, while the French side offers a more relaxed and serene atmosphere with charming beachfront destinations.

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