Lois Larson
Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) is a key transport hub and tourist gateway to the Caribbean island of Saint Martin. Handling an average of 1.8 million people annually, it is one of the busiest airports in the region. The airport suffered significant damage due to Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria in 2017, which destroyed the terminal building and air traffic control tower. A major reconstruction project was undertaken to rebuild and modernise the airport, with the St. Maarten Government and World Bank signing a $72 million agreement for terminal reconstruction in December 2019. The airport reopened with temporary facilities in October 2017, and the entire reconstruction project was slated for completion by December 2022. Repairs and upgrades have been made to the terminal building, check-in area, arrival hall, baggage handling systems, immigration and customs processes, runway, taxiways, and apron. The airport is constantly upgrading its staff and equipment to ensure a safe and secure experience for its passengers.
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What You'll Learn
Hurricane damage
Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM Airport) in the Caribbean is one of the oldest and busiest airports in the region. Handling an average of 1.8 million people annually, with approximately 170 aircraft movements a day, it is a key hub for tourism and economic growth in St Martin.
In September 2017, the airport suffered significant damage due to the impact of Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria. The natural disasters, which occurred within ten days of each other, destroyed the four-story passenger terminal building and the air traffic control tower. The airport was left non-functional for over two years as all equipment and electronics were damaged. The roof of the terminal was blown off, jetways were damaged, and there was flooding and a significant amount of sand on the runway.
The airport implemented temporary measures to resume flight operations in October 2017, including small open tents, which were later replaced with air-conditioned pavilions. In December 2018, temporary arrival and departure facilities opened within the first level of the terminal building, and in November 2019, the temporary operations area was expanded to cover more than 60% of the ground floor.
The St. Maarten Government and World Bank signed a $72 million agreement for terminal reconstruction in December 2019, with the European Investment Bank offering a $50 million loan for the project. The reconstruction project is expected to create 225 jobs during construction and approximately 1,200 permanent jobs upon completion.
While it is unclear if the airport is fully repaired as of April 2024, the new arrival hall was reopened on 15 October 2024, featuring improved baggage handling systems and streamlined immigration and customs processes.
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Reconstruction project
Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM Airport) is one of the oldest and busiest airports in the Caribbean region. The airport is located on the Dutch side of the island of Saint Martin, in the country of Sint Maarten, close to the shore of Simpson Bay Lagoon. It is the main airport on the island and serves as a hub for Winair, handling an average of 1.8 million people annually, with approximately 170 aircraft movements per day. The airport is also a major gateway for the smaller Leeward Islands, including Anguilla, Saba, Saint Barthélemy, and Sint Eustatius.
In September 2017, the airport suffered significant damage due to Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, which occurred within ten days of each other. The hurricanes destroyed the four-story passenger terminal building and the air traffic control tower, rendering the terminal non-functional for over two years. The airport resumed its flight operations in October 2017 using temporary facilities, such as small open tents, which were later replaced with air-conditioned pavilions.
The St. Maarten Government and World Bank signed a $72 million agreement in December 2019 for the terminal's reconstruction, with the European Investment Bank offering an additional $50 million loan. The reconstruction project aims to rebuild the terminal building, transforming it into a modern airport with improved facilities and increased capacity. The project is expected to create 225 jobs during construction and approximately 1,200 permanent jobs upon the commencement of operations of the new terminal.
The reconstruction of the airport is being carried out in phases. Phase one involved temporary operations, including the construction of interim check-in counters, offices, immigration and emigration facilities, and the installation of security equipment and CCTV. The second phase of roof repair works began in July 2018, followed by the completion of installation of roof profiles and panels in phase two. The third phase involved the installation of bullnoses and soffits, and the workshop for the second package of the terminal reconstruction project commenced in June 2019. Temporary arrival and departure facilities opened within the first level of the terminal building in December 2018, and the reconstructed check-in area opened in January 2024. The new arrival hall, featuring improved baggage handling systems and streamlined immigration and customs processes, was reopened on 15 October 2024.
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Temporary facilities
Princess Juliana International Airport, located on the Dutch side of the Caribbean island of Saint Martin, is undergoing a major reconstruction project to rebuild its terminal building, which was devastated by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria in September 2017. The airport resumed operations in October 2017 using temporary facilities and measures such as small open tents, which were later replaced by air-conditioned pavilions. Temporary arrival and departure facilities were opened in December 2018 within the first level of the terminal building, with the temporary operations area expanded to cover more than 60% of the ground floor in November 2019. The reconstruction project involves the construction of interim check-in counters, offices, immigration and emigration facilities, and the installation of security equipment and CCTV.
The airport's transformation from a Second World War base for the US military into a world-class facility has involved generational changes, including the construction of new terminals and upgrades to existing facilities. The airport is constantly upgrading its staff and equipment to ensure the safety and security of its users. The airport community consists of over 1,000 people working for approximately 80 companies, including airlines, aviation service providers, retail outlets, and restaurants.
The first phase of the temporary repairs included the construction of interim check-in counters, offices, immigration and emigration facilities, and the installation of security equipment and CCTV. The second phase of roof repair works began in July 2018 and included steel deck treatment, waterproofing, and flat metal sheet installation. The third phase involved the installation of bullnoses and soffits, with the second package of the terminal reconstruction project commencing in June 2019.
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Repairs and upgrades
Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM Airport) in the Caribbean has undergone several repairs and upgrades over the years to accommodate increasing passenger traffic and maintain its status as a world-class facility and a leader in Caribbean aviation.
The airport, located on the Dutch side of the island of Saint Martin in Sint Maarten, is named after Queen Juliana of the Netherlands, who landed there as heir presumptive in 1944, the year after the airport opened. In 1964, the airport was remodelled and relocated, with a new terminal building and control tower. Further upgrades were made to the facilities in 1985 and 2001.
However, the airport suffered significant damage due to Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria in September 2017, which destroyed the four-story passenger terminal building and the air traffic control tower. The airport resumed operations in October 2017 using temporary measures and pavilions while repair work commenced. Temporary arrival and departure facilities were opened within the first level of the terminal building in December 2018, and the reconstructed check-in area was completed in January 2024. The new arrival hall, featuring improved baggage handling systems and streamlined immigration processes, was reopened on 15 October 2024.
The airport is undergoing a major reconstruction project to rebuild and modernise the terminal building, with a completion date slated for December 2022. This includes the installation of a new roof, steel deck treatment, waterproofing, and the upgrade of fire suppression systems and security equipment. The project is expected to create 225 jobs during construction and approximately 1,200 permanent jobs upon completion.
In addition to these repairs and upgrades, the airport has also undergone constant improvements to its staff and equipment to ensure the safety and security of its passengers. It has a state-of-the-art ATC tower and radar facility, a category-nine fire and rescue service, and centralised pre-screening, contributing to its impeccable safety record.
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Passenger experience
Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) is a modern transport hub on the Caribbean island of St Martin, located on the Dutch side of the island, in the country of Sint Maarten. It is one of the busiest airports in the region, handling an average of 1.8 million people annually, with approximately 170 aircraft movements a day. The airport is served by more than 30 airlines, with direct service to 35 destinations.
The airport is known for its stunning approach to the runway, with aircraft coming in low over the nearby Maho Beach, providing a spectacular landing and take-off experience for passengers and attracting plane spotters from around the world. The airport has spacious terminal facilities, including 12 boarding gates, 4 jet bridges, 46 check-in positions, and 8 to 10 self-service check-in systems. The comfortable departure hall offers duty-free retail outlets, food and beverage outlets, and bars.
The airport has received several distinctions, including the International Transport Award (2016 and 2013), the European Award for Best Practices (2014), and the International Award for Business Excellence (2014). It is committed to providing high-quality services to meet the demands of the private jet industry and is known for its expertise in handling private jets and planes.
In terms of safety, Princess Juliana International Airport has an impeccable record. It is equipped with a state-of-the-art ATC tower, a category-nine fire and rescue service, and general security and centralised pre-screening measures. The airport is constantly upgrading its staff and equipment to ensure that passengers feel safe and secure.
To accommodate the growing international and local traffic of private aircraft, Princess Juliana International Airport has a fixed-base operator (FBO) building with office space, private lounges, and dedicated customs and security screening. The airport offers airside passenger transportation by bus, aircraft fuelling, ramp handling, and general aviation services for the private and corporate jet sectors.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Princess Juliana International Airport is not fully repaired. The airport suffered significant damage due to Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria in September 2017. The airport reopened in October 2017 using temporary facilities while repair work commenced. The airport has been undergoing a major reconstruction project since December 2019, with the completion date slated for December 2022.
Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria hit the airport in September 2017, within a span of ten days.
The hurricanes caused extensive damage to the airport, including blowing off the roof of the terminal, damaging jetways, and causing flooding and sand on the runway. The four-storey passenger terminal building and the air traffic control tower were destroyed, rendering the terminal non-functional.
The airport resumed its flight operations on 10 October 2017, using temporary measures such as small open tents, which were later replaced with air-conditioned pavilions.
The reconstruction project aims to transform the airport into a modern facility. It involves rebuilding the terminal building, improving baggage handling systems, streamlining immigration and customs processes, and creating new jobs. The airport is constantly upgrading its staff and equipment to ensure a safe and secure experience for its passengers.
