St. Martin Airport: Is It Still Operational?

St. Martin is a small island with two airports: Princess Juliana International Airport, which is the main airport, and the Grand Case-Espérance Airport, which is much smaller. Princess Juliana International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the region and is located on the Dutch side of the island, while Grand Case-Espérance Airport is located on the French side. In 2017, Princess Juliana International Airport suffered significant damage from Hurricane Irma, but it has since been repaired and continues to operate as a crucial hub for the Caribbean.

St. Martin has two airports

St. Martin is an island split between two countries: the Netherlands and France. The island has two airports, each reflecting the distinct vibe and volume of visitors associated with their respective sides of the island.

Princess Juliana International Airport, located on the Dutch side of the island, is the primary aviation gateway to St. Martin. It is the second busiest airport in the hemisphere and is known for its low-altitude flyover landing approaches, with planes landing just beyond the famous Maho Beach. This airport is a major hub for commercial air travel, accommodating jumbo jets from Europe and regular jet services from metropolitan centers in the United States. The dense population centers nearby, such as Simpson Bay and Philipsburg, offer a vibrant atmosphere with ample opportunities for lodging, activities, and nightlife. The airport is currently undergoing modernization to accommodate the increasing passenger traffic.

In contrast, the French side of the island is home to the smaller Grand Case-Espérance Airport, also known as L'Espérance Airport. This airport primarily services flights to other Caribbean islands and destinations like Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. The French side of the island is less densely populated, offering a more serene atmosphere with natural areas and scenic beaches. Grand Case Beach, located near the airport, provides a tranquil setting for those seeking a relaxing experience.

The two airports on St. Martin showcase the contrasting characteristics of the Dutch and French sides of the island, with the Dutch side known for its bustling activity and the French side for its tranquility and natural beauty.

In terms of border controls, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and France signed the Franco-Dutch treaty in 1994, allowing for joint border controls on "risk flights." This treaty requires arriving passengers to have valid travel papers for both sides of the island.

The primary airport is Princess Juliana International Airport

St. Martin is a small island with two airports. The primary airport is Princess Juliana International Airport (IATA code SXM), which is located on the Dutch side of the island, in the capital city of Philipsburg. It is one of the oldest and busiest airports in the region, serving as a hub for surrounding islands. The airport handles a range of aircraft, from small Cessnas to large Boeing 747s, and caters to around 1.8 million passengers per year, mostly from the Americas, Europe, and the Caribbean.

Princess Juliana International Airport began as a US military airstrip in 1942 during World War II. The first commercial flight landed in 1943, and the airport was later renamed after a visit from the future Queen Juliana in 1944. The airport has undergone several upgrades and renovations over the years, including a major remodelling in 1964 and further facility upgrades in 1985 and 2001.

In 2016, KLM switched from operating a triangle route via Curaçao to offering direct flights from Amsterdam using an Airbus A330, marking the end of the airport's regularly scheduled Boeing 747 service. The airport suffered significant damage from Hurricane Irma in 2017, forcing it to operate with temporary facilities while repairs were made. The reconstructed check-in area opened in January 2024, and the new arrival hall, featuring improved baggage handling and streamlined immigration processes, opened in October of the same year.

The airport is known for its dramatic approach, with planes landing just beyond the beach and flying low over Maho Beach, which is popular with tourists and plane-spotters. The airport features shops and food and beverage outlets, some unique to St. Maarten, and a fixed-base operator building to accommodate private aircraft.

The secondary airport is Grand Case-Espérance Airport

The secondary airport on the island of St. Martin is Grand Case-Espérance Airport, also known as L'Espérance Airport or Grand Case Airport. It is located in Grand Case, on the French side of the Caribbean island.

Grand Case-Espérance Airport is a public airport that serves the region with flights to other Caribbean islands, including Guadeloupe and Saint Barth. It is also used by private aircraft. The airport is much smaller than the primary airport, Princess Juliana International Airport, which is located on the Dutch side of the island.

Grand Case-Espérance Airport was originally a US military airstrip during World War II, with the first commercial flight landing in 1943. The airport was named after a visit from the future Queen Juliana in 1944. Renovations and upgrades have been carried out over the years, including a modernization project completed in 2017, which included a new terminal building, an upgraded fire station, an extended parking apron, and a new control tower.

The regional airport at Grand Case provides the quickest transfers for commercial inter-island aircraft and private aircraft due to its location and smaller size. It offers a more relaxed beach atmosphere compared to the primary airport, with planes landing over Grand Case Beach at a higher altitude and less frequency.

St. Martin can only be reached by plane

St. Martin is a small Caribbean island that can only be reached by plane. The island is easily accessible by air, with direct flights from major cities in the US, Canada, and Europe. The island's compact size means that most resorts, hotels, and villas are within easy reach of the airports.

The island has two airports, with the main airport being Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) located on the Dutch side of the island in the town of Phillipsburg, St. Maarten. The airport is one of the oldest and busiest in the region, serving as a hub for surrounding islands. It handles a variety of aircraft, ranging from Cessnas to Boeing 747s, and caters to 1.8 million passengers annually. The airport features direct flights from major US, Canadian, and European cities, with a flight from New England taking roughly 4 hours.

The secondary airport is Grand Case-Espérance Airport, located on the French side of the island in the town of Grand Case, St. Martin. This airport is much smaller and provides regional flights, as well as international arrivals from Paris Orly. Flights from this airport mostly go to other Caribbean islands, such as Guadeloupe and St. Barth's.

Princess Juliana International Airport has undergone several upgrades and renovations over the years to accommodate increasing passenger traffic. The airport suffered significant damage from Hurricane Irma in 2017 but was able to reopen using temporary facilities while repairs were made. The airport is known for its dramatic landings, with planes touching down just beyond the beach.

Hurricane Irma caused significant damage to the airport in 2017

Princess Juliana International Airport is the primary aviation gateway to the island of St Martin. The airport is famous for its dramatic landings, with planes touching down just beyond the beach.

Video footage from a Dutch military helicopter showed the extent of the damage to Princess Juliana International Airport. Huge chunks of the building were strewn across the runway, and a jet bridge was snapped in half. The storm also blew open the fences from Simpson Bay Beach, allowing sand to blow onto the runway. The airport was forced to close, and the Dutch part of the island was left unreachable.

In the aftermath of the hurricane, American Airlines cancelled flights to several airports, including Miami, and scaled back operations at Orlando. The airport on St Martin reopened on 10 October 2017, using temporary facilities while repair work commenced. The reconstruction of the airport took several years, with the entire upper floor of the terminal and the four jet bridges remaining out of commission until November 2023.

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