St. Barts Airport: What You Need To Know

St Barts does indeed have an airport, known as Rémy de Haenen airport (formerly and still commonly known as Gustav III airport), located in the village of St. Jean on the Caribbean island of Saint Barthélemy. The airport is served by small regional commercial aircraft and charters, with most visiting aircraft carrying fewer than 20 passengers. The airport has a reputation for being a dangerous place to land due to its very short runway, proximity to automotive traffic, and the necessity of a license to land. However, it is regarded by experts as extremely safe, and since opening in 1984, there has only been one accident with a fatality.

St Barts' Gustaf III Airport is considered dangerous due to its short runway

St Barts does have an airport, officially known as Gustaf III Airport (IATA: SBH) or St Barts Airport. It is also referred to as Saint Barthélemy Airport, Remy de Haenens Airport, and St. Jean Airport. The airport is located in the island's second-largest town, St. Jean, and is named after King Gustav III of Sweden, under whom Sweden obtained the island from France in 1784.

Gustaf III Airport in St Barts is considered one of the most challenging airports in the world due to its short runway. The runway is just over 2,100 feet long, making it one of the shortest runways in the world. This length restricts the airport to small prop planes, as even the smallest jet-engined plane cannot land on such a short runway. The largest aircraft permitted to land at the airport is the de Havilland Dash 7, which can carry up to 48 passengers.

The short runway, combined with the proximity to local traffic and a steep hill on the final approach, contributes to the airport's reputation for being dangerous. Pilots landing at Gustaf III Airport require a special certification for short takeoff and landing (STOL) due to the complexity of the approach and landing. The descent into Runway 10 involves flying over a steep hill and a traffic roundabout before rapidly descending to the runway, which can be described as a "thrill ride".

Despite the challenges posed by the short runway and steep approach, Gustaf III Airport has a relatively good safety record. Since its opening in 1984, there have only been six incidents and one accident with a fatality in 2001. The airport's safety record compares favourably to most other Caribbean or US airports.

Rémy de Haenen Airport is also known as Saint Barthélemy Airport

Rémy de Haenen Airport, also known as Saint Barthélemy Airport, is a small airport located on the island of Saint Barthélemy in the French West Indies. The airport is known for its challenging approach, requiring pilots to navigate steep mountains and avoid a hill at the end of the runway before landing. It has a single runway and is primarily used for general aviation, with flights to and from nearby islands and mainland France. The airport is served by several airlines, offering both domestic and international routes, and has a variety of transportation options available for visitors upon arrival.

The airport was formerly known as Gustav III Airport, named after King Gustav III of Sweden, under whom Sweden obtained the island from France in 1784. In 2015, the airport was renamed after Rémy de Haenen, an aviation pioneer and later mayor of Saint Barthélemy. De Haenen first landed on the site of the airport in 1946, when the area was used as pasture land for sheep.

Saint Barthélemy Airport has a single terminal that serves both international and domestic flights. The terminal is modest in size but offers modern amenities and services, including a waiting lounge, comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi access, shops, and restaurants. The airport's check-in area is located outside the terminal building, and boarding is done via stairs or ramps as there are no jet bridges.

The airport is known for its scenic location, offering stunning views of the surrounding beaches and the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. It has become an increasingly popular destination for celebrities and affluent travelers attracted to the island's luxurious resorts, high-end shopping, and world-class dining. The airport is also known for its short runway, which is surrounded by mountains on three sides and ends on the beach, contributing to its reputation as a challenging and thrilling place to land.

Saint Barthélemy Airport is easily accessible from neighbouring islands, with daily commercial or chartered connections. The closest major airport is Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) on the nearby island of St Maarten, from where it is just a 10- to 15-minute shuttle flight to Saint Barthélemy. Ferries are also available from Sint-Maarten, and private boats can be hired to reach the island.

Airlines that fly to Rémy de Haenen Airport include American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and JetBlue Airways

Rémy de Haenen Airport, also known as Saint Barthélemy Airport, is located on the French Caribbean island of Saint Barthélemy (St. Barts). The airport was renamed in 2015 to honour Rémy de Haenen, a French aviation pioneer and former mayor of St. Barts, who, in 1946, made the first landing on the island with an aircraft.

The airport has a reputation for being dangerous due to its short runway, which is surrounded by mountains on three sides and ends on the beach. Pilots are required to obtain a special certification for short take-off and landing flights before arriving at the airport.

Several airlines operate domestic and international routes to and from Rémy de Haenen Airport. These include American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and JetBlue Airways, which offer flights to and from the United States. Additionally, Winair and St Barth Commuter offer flights to neighbouring islands, such as St. Maarten, St. Eustatius, and Saba.

The airport provides various check-in methods for passengers' convenience, including online check-in, self-service kiosks, and traditional check-in counters. It also offers facilities such as a shopping mall, a restaurant, and a snack bar.

Tradewind Aviation offers flights to St Barts from San Juan, Puerto Rico

St Barts does indeed have an airport, officially known as St Barts Airport (SBH) or Rémy de Haenen airport, formerly called Gustav III airport. The airport has a reputation for being dangerous due to its short runway, which is surrounded by mountains on three sides and ends on the beach. However, it has a better safety record than most other Caribbean or US airports, with only one accident resulting in a fatality since it opened in 1984.

Tradewind Aviation's Caribbean hub is located in San Juan, Puerto Rico, making it a convenient location for travellers originating from the United States. The airline offers flexible ticket terms, private lounges, and convenient transfer hubs. Upon arrival in San Juan, passengers can relax in the exclusive Tradewind lounge, which provides complimentary refreshments, snacks, and WiFi. The airline also offers private charter flights to St Barts, allowing travellers to schedule their own jet to connect with Tradewind in San Juan.

For those travelling from North America, it is common to fly to St Maarten and then take a shuttle flight to St Barts. St Maarten's Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) is the closest major airport to St Barts, located just 16 miles away. From there, it is a quick 10-15 minute flight to St Barts.

St Barts Airport is located in the village of St. Jean on the Caribbean island of Saint Barthélemy

St Barts Airport, also known as Rémy de Haenen airport, formerly known as Gustav III airport, is located in the village of St. Jean on the Caribbean island of Saint Barthélemy. The airport is served by small regional commercial aircraft and charters. Most visiting aircraft carry fewer than 20 passengers, and the airport is known for its dramatic approach and small size. The airport's runway is very short, and ends directly on the beach. This, along with its proximity to automotive traffic on a nearby road, has led to some describing it as a "thrill ride" and ranking it as the third most dangerous airport in the world. However, it is regarded by experts as extremely safe, and pilots are required to obtain a special certification for short take-off and landing flights before landing at the airport.

The airport is named after Rémy de Haenen, an aviation pioneer and later mayor of Saint Barthélemy, who first landed on the site in 1946. The terminal building was inaugurated in 1984 by the Swedish Minister of Communications, Hans Gustafsson. St Barts Airport is the primary gateway to St Barts, with major airlines offering direct flights from several key U.S. hubs, and regional airlines offering frequent 15-minute flights from Sint Maarten. For those looking for a more direct option, Tradewind Aviation offers premium flights from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and there are also non-stop flights to St Barts from other destinations in the Caribbean and beyond.

For those who prefer to arrive by sea, ferries arrive from Sint-Maarten several times a day, and private boats are also available for hire. Sailboats and private yachts can be berthed or moored in the Gustavia harbour. St Barts Airport has plenty of services and facilities to offer, including a shopping mall and a restaurant with windows overlooking the runway. The ground floor contains the departure and arrival areas, rental car booths, and check-in kiosks, while the second floor includes the shopping mall and restaurant.

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