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Yes, there is an airport in Curaçao. Curaçao International Airport, also known as Hato International Airport, is located on the north coast of Curaçao, 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) from the capital, Willemstad. The airport is the only one on the island and is owned by the government through the Curaçao Airport Holding (CAH). Curaçao International Airport connects the island to Europe, the Americas, and the Caribbean and is the main base for Divi Divi Air and EZAir.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Curaçao International Airport (formerly Dr. Albert Plesman International Airport) |
| Other Names | Hato International Airport, Aeropuerto Internashonal Hato (Papiamento), Hato Internationale Luchthaven (Dutch) |
| Location | North coast of Curaçao, 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from the capital Willemstad |
| IATA Code | CUR |
| ICAO Code | TNCC |
| Ownership | The Curaçao Airport Holding (CAH), owned by the government of Curaçao |
| Management | Curaçao Airport Partners (CAP), a consortium of Zürich Airport, Janssen de Jong, and CCR |
| Annual Private Jets and Airplanes | 3,300 |
| Runway Length | Third longest in the Caribbean region, accommodating up to a Boeing 747 |
| Bases | Divi Divi Air, EZAir, and formerly ALM, KLM, DCA, DAE, Insel Air, and JetAir Caribbean |
| USAF Operating Base | Yes, at the west end of the airport |
| Former Use | Naval airbase of the Royal Netherlands Navy until 2007 |
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What You'll Learn
Curaçao International Airport's history
Curaçao International Airport (IATA: CUR, ICAO: TNCC) is the only airport on the Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao, in the southern Caribbean Sea. The airport is located on the north coast of Curaçao, 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from the capital Willemstad. The airport connects Curaçao island to Europe, the Americas, and the Caribbean. It has the third-longest commercial runway in the Caribbean region, accommodating up to a Boeing 747, and serves as a main base for Divi Divi Air and EZAir.
The airport was initially called Hato Airport, named after the nearby town of Hato. During the Second World War, Hato Airport was one of the most important and busiest airports in the Caribbean. The airport was used by the United States Army Air Forces Sixth Air Force for patrols against submarines. In March 1934, Albert Plesman, director of KLM, made a case for the economic significance of the airport to the Comité Vliegtocht Nederland-Indië. On 5 January 1954, the airport was renamed Dr. Albert Plesman International Airport.
In the 1960s, the Bestuurscollege commissioned Netherlands Airport Consultants B.V. (NACO) to design a master plan for the airport in anticipation of the arrival of the Boeing 747. The runway was extended and the first KLM 'Jumbo' arrived on 6 November 1971, with the Boeing 747-200 ‘Mississippi’. Curaçao International Airport N.V. (Curinta) was founded in 1977 and operated the airport until 2013. Its predecessor was the Luchthavenbedrijf (airport company), which was a department of the Government of Curaçao.
In the 2010s, renovations and expansions were started to increase the airport's capacity. The runway and taxiway were renovated, a plaza was opened with catering and retail, and the old terminal was demolished. A new, fully air-conditioned departure hall was built, and a dedicated terminal or Jet Centre was opened to handle VIPs and artists at large events. Curaçao International Airport is proud of its achievements in recent years, celebrating a record-breaking 2,117,605 passenger movements in 2024.
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Airport renovations and expansions
Curaçao International Airport, also known as Hato International Airport, is located on the north coast of Curaçao, 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from the capital, Willemstad. It is the only airport on the island and is one of the main airports in the Caribbean region. The airport has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years to accommodate more passengers and improve its facilities.
In the 1960s, the 'Bestuurscollege' commissioned Netherlands Airport Consultants B.V. (NACO) to design a master plan for the airport in anticipation of the arrival of the Boeing 747. The airport has the third longest commercial runway in the Caribbean region, accommodating up to a Boeing 747, and it serves as a main base for Divi Divi Air and EZAir.
In 2016, the airport initiated a terminal expansion project, which was completed in 2018. This expansion increased the airport's capacity to 2.5 million passengers per year, up from the previous 1.6 million. The project also doubled the space in the airport's waiting area and added new facilities to enhance passenger comfort and experience, including shopping and dining options.
The renovations and expansions at Curaçao International Airport also included the opening of a dedicated terminal or Jet Centre to efficiently handle VIPs, artists, and private passengers. The old terminal was demolished, and a new departure hall with a state-of-the-art air conditioning system using cold seawater was constructed. The runway and taxiway were also renovated, and a plaza with catering and retail options was added.
The airport is operated by Curaçao Airport Partners (CAP), a consortium of CCR Airports (Brazil), Janssen De Jong (the Netherlands), and Aport (Zurich Airport). CAP has been managing and developing the airport since 2003 and has successfully completed various projects to modernise and expand the airport's infrastructure.
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Curaçao Airport Partners
Curaçao International Airport, also known as Hato International Airport, is the only airport on the Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao, in the southern Caribbean Sea. The airport is located on the north coast of Curaçao, 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from the capital Willemstad. Curaçao International Airport connects Curaçao Island to Europe, the Americas, and the Caribbean. It is managed by Curaçao Airport Partners (CAP), a consortium of Zürich Airport (Switzerland), Janssen de Jong (the Netherlands), and CCR (Brazil). CAP operates and develops the airport under a 30-year concession from the Curaçao Airport Holding (CAH), which is owned by the government and also owns the airport and the surrounding 450 hectares (1100 acres) of land.
CAP's dedication extends beyond operating an airport. In 2024, CAP was shortlisted for the Routes World Awards in the under-5-million category. CAP has also successfully concluded Aviation Safety Week and held its annual Aviation Security Conference, themed "Elevating Aviation Security: Cultivating." In addition, CAP has collaborated with esteemed entities such as the Curaçaose Wegenbouw Maatschappij (CWM).
The airport has undergone renovations and expansions to increase its passenger capacity, including the renovation of the runway and taxiway and the opening of a plaza with catering and retail options. The old terminal was demolished, and a new, fully air-conditioned departure hall was constructed using a cold seawater system. A dedicated terminal or Jet Centre was also opened to handle VIPs, artists, and private passengers efficiently.
Curaçao International Airport has a rich history, initially called Hato Airport after the nearby town of Hato. During World War II, it was one of the most important and busiest airports in the Caribbean, used by the United States Army Air Forces Sixth Air Force for patrols against submarines. The airport has the third-longest commercial runway in the Caribbean region, accommodating up to a Boeing 747, and serves as a main base for Divi Divi Air and EZAir.
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USAF Forward Operating Base
Curaçao, a Dutch Caribbean island in the southern Caribbean Sea, is home to the Curaçao International Airport (CUR), previously known as Hato Airport. The airport is situated on the north coast of Curaçao, about 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) from Willemstad, the island's capital.
The west end of the airport is a USAF Forward Operating Base (FOB). The base is responsible for hosting AWACS and transport aircraft. Notably, until 1999, the USAF maintained a small fleet of F-16 fighters stationed at the FOB.
The history of the Curaçao International Airport is intertwined with military operations. During World War II, Hato Airport was among the busiest airports in the Caribbean, serving the United States Army Air Forces Sixth Air Force in their patrols against submarines. Various flying units utilised the airfield during this period, including the 59th Bombardment Squadron and the 32nd Fighter Squadron.
In the mid-1990s, the US military's withdrawal from Howard Air Force Base in Panama led to the relocation of C-130 and F-16 aircraft, along with airmen from the 24th Wing, to Hato International Airport in Curaçao. This move was part of counterdrug operations, with the US seeking to combat drug-producing centres in South America and trafficking routes in the Caribbean. The Curaçao/Aruba Forward Operating Location (FOL) was established, utilising airfields in Curaçao and Aruba to disrupt drug cartels and security threat networks.
The Curaçao/Aruba FOL is a collaborative effort between the US and partner nations, including the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Curaçao, and Aruba. It comprises units from Air Forces Southern's 612th Theater Operations Group/Detachment 2 and 429th Expeditionary Operations Squadron, along with a fire department team. The US Air Force provides day-to-day management and logistical support for interagency cooperation in drug missions.
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Nearby airports
Curaçao International Airport, also known as Hato International Airport, is located on the north coast of Curaçao, 11km from the capital, Willemstad. The airport is the only one on the island and is operated by Curaçao Airport Partners (CAP). CAP is a consortium of Zürich Airport, Janssen de Jong, and CCR (Brazil).
The airport has a long history, initially called Hato Airport, it was one of the most important and busiest airports in the Caribbean during the Second World War. It was used by the United States Army Air Forces Sixth Air Force for patrols against submarines. In 1954, the airport was renamed Dr. Albert Plesman International Airport. More recently, in the 2010s, the airport underwent renovations and expansions to increase its capacity, including a new departure hall with air conditioning.
Several other airports are located near Curaçao. Here is a list of the closest airports with their distances from the island:
- Flamingo International Airport, Kralendijk, Netherlands (71-72km)
- Queen Beatrix International Airport, Oranjestad, Aruba (125km)
- Josefa Camejo International Airport, Las Piedras, Venezuela (138km)
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Curaçao has an international airport.
The IATA code for Curaçao International Airport is CUR. Its ICAO code is TNCC.
The airport is located on the north coast of Curaçao, 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from the capital Willemstad.
The airport was founded in 1977 and was previously operated by Curaçao International Airport N.V. (Curinta). It was initially called Hato Airport, and during World War II, it was one of the most important and busiest airports in the Caribbean.
