Owais Crawford
Aruba is a small island country in the southern Caribbean Sea, just north of Venezuela. It is a popular tourist destination, known for its white sandy beaches and pristine blue waters. The country's main gateway is the Queen Beatrix International Airport, also known as Aeropuerto Internacional Reina Beatrix. This airport is located near the capital city of Oranjestad and is the only airport in Aruba with scheduled flights. It offers direct flights to 31 destinations across 12 countries and normally receives over 150 flights per week from various cities worldwide.
Airports in Aruba
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Queen Beatrix International Airport (Dutch: Internationale luchthaven Koningin Beatrix; Papiamento: Aeropuerto Internacional Reina Beatrix) |
| IATA | AUA |
| ICAO | TNCA |
| Location | Oranjestad, Aruba |
| Destinations | 31 destinations in 12 countries including the United States, Canada, several countries in the Caribbean, the northern coastal countries of South America, and parts of Europe |
| Airlines | Aruba Airlines, TUI Airlines Netherlands, Winair, American Airlines, Arkefly, KLM |
| Facilities | United States border preclearance facilities, car rentals, shuttle service, taxi stand, bus stop, large parking lot |
| Authority | Aruba Airport Authority |
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What You'll Learn
Aruba's only airport: Queen Beatrix International Airport
Aruba is served by a single airport, the Queen Beatrix International Airport (IATA: AUA, ICAO: TNCA). The airport is located in Oranjestad, the capital of Aruba, a Dutch Caribbean island. It is named after Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, who reigned from 1980 to 2013.
Queen Beatrix International Airport offers flights to 31 destinations in 12 countries, including the United States, Canada, several Caribbean nations, northern South American countries, and parts of Europe, notably the Netherlands. The airport has undergone a multimillion-dollar renovation and expansion project, transforming it into a prominent hub in the Caribbean.
The airport has a rich history, with commercial services commencing in 1934 by KLM. During World War II, the airport was utilised by the United States Army Air Forces Sixth Air Force, defending Caribbean shipping and the Panama Canal from German submarines. The airfield played a crucial role in these defence efforts, earning the name Dakota Field.
Today, the Aruba Airport Authority manages and operates Queen Beatrix International Airport, ensuring its safety, security, financial sustainability, and customer satisfaction. The airport offers a range of transportation options, including airport transfers, car rentals, taxis, and a public bus service called Arubus, making it convenient for travellers to navigate Aruba.
For travellers to the United States, the airport provides US pre-clearance facilities, allowing passengers to go through passport control in Aruba at the US Customs and Border Protection facility. This eliminates the need for additional procedures upon arrival in the US, streamlining the travel experience for those heading to America.
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Airport codes: IATA: AUA, ICAO: TNCA
Aruba has one airport with scheduled flights: Queen Beatrix International Airport (IATA: AUA, ICAO: TNCA). The airport is located in Oranjestad, in the Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba. It is named after Beatrix of the Netherlands, who was Queen of the Netherlands from 1980 to 2013.
The airport has direct flights to 31 destinations in 12 countries, including the United States, Canada, several countries in the Caribbean, the northern coastal countries of South America, and some parts of Europe, notably the Netherlands. It offers United States border preclearance facilities, although it does not have special provisions for avoiding the traditional US domestic procedure of physically walking baggage through customs inspection.
The airport used to serve as the hub for Air Aruba and was also one of three hubs for ALM Antillean Airlines before Aruba's separation from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986. Since 2013, it has been home to Aruba Airlines, a local airline with a focus on connecting the region.
KLM's Snip, the PJ-AIS, a Fokker tri-motor, inaugurated the scheduled flying age in Aruba on 19 January 1935. The aircraft, along with another three-engine Fokker, the PJ-AIO, flew until 1946, after which they were scrapped. During World War II, the airport was used by the United States Army Air Forces Sixth Air Force to defend Caribbean shipping and the Panama Canal against German submarines. The airfield was renamed Dakota Field, and the terminal facilities became Dakota Airport.
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US pre-clearance for all passengers travelling to the US
There is only one airport in Aruba with scheduled flights, the Aeropuerto Internacional Reina Beatrix, also known as Aruba International Airport or Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA). The airport is located in Oranjestad and offers flights to 31 destinations across 12 countries, including the United States, Canada, several Caribbean islands, some South American countries, and parts of Europe, such as the Netherlands.
For passengers travelling to the United States from Aruba, there is a US pre-clearance process in place. This means that travellers will go through US Customs and Border Protection checks in Aruba itself, making the arrival process in the US more seamless. Here is a step-by-step guide to the US pre-clearance procedure at Aruba International Airport:
- Check-in: Check-in for flights to the US is recommended to be done three hours before departure. At check-in, you will receive a Customs Declaration form, which must be filled out before entering the US pre-clearance facility.
- Aruba Immigration: After checking in, proceed to Aruba Immigration, where you must present your travel documents and any necessary visas or authorisations.
- Baggage Collection: After clearing Aruba Immigration, you will need to collect your checked baggage, which you had dropped off during check-in.
- US Customs and Border Protection: Next, you will go through US Customs and Border Protection, which includes passport control and a customs inspection. Unlike some other pre-clearance airports, Aruba International Airport does not have special provisions for bypassing the traditional US procedure of physically walking baggage through customs inspection. Therefore, you will need to carry your baggage with you through this process.
- Boarding: Once you have completed the above steps and cleared US pre-clearance, you can proceed to the departure gate and board your flight to the United States.
In addition to the pre-clearance process, there are a few other things to keep in mind when travelling from Aruba to the United States:
- Enrolling in Global Entry can expedite your arrival process in the US, but this is only available to pre-approved US travellers.
- Downloading the Aruba Health App before your trip can provide useful information on COVID-19 procedures and test results in Aruba.
- It is recommended to download your airline's app for easy access to boarding passes and flight updates.
- The departure tax, or passenger facility charge, is typically included in your ticket price, but it is always good to double-check with your airline.
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Departure tax (passenger facility charge)
Aruba has one airport with scheduled flights: Queen Beatrix International Airport (IATA: AUA, ICAO: TNCA), also known as Aeropuerto Internacional Reina Beatrix. It is located in Oranjested, in the Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba. The airport is named after Beatrix of the Netherlands, who was queen from 1980 to 2013. It offers flights to the United States, Canada, several countries in the Caribbean, the northern coastal countries of South America, and parts of Europe, including the Netherlands.
When travelling to or from Aruba, it is important to be aware of the departure tax, also known as the passenger facility charge. This tax is typically included in the ticket price, but it is recommended that passengers check with their airline or the airport to confirm this. The departure tax contributes to the maintenance and development of the airport facilities, ensuring a safe, secure, and financially sustainable airport experience.
The Aruba Airport Authority manages and operates Queen Beatrix International Airport, aiming to create a prosperous airport business community. The airport has undergone a multimillion-dollar renovation and expansion project, establishing itself as a prominent hub in the Caribbean.
There are several transport options available for getting to and from the airport. Airport transfers can be arranged for individuals or groups, and tour operators will meet and greet passengers at the airport or cruise ship terminal. Car rentals are also available at the airport, and a shuttle service is provided for companies located outside the airport. Additionally, taxis are readily available outside the airport, with fixed rates based on the destination.
For those seeking a more economical option, Aruba's public bus service, Arubus, services the airport regularly. The bus ride costs $2.60, and passengers can take any bus in the direction of Oranjestad. From there, they can switch to bus line 10 to reach the low and high-rise hotels. The airport also has a large parking lot that operates with a ticket system, where visitors can pay at one of the two machines located in the arrival terminal.
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Transport options to/from the airport
There is one airport in Aruba with scheduled flights: Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA), also known as Aeropuerto Internacional Reina Beatrix. The airport is located in Oranjestad and offers flights to the United States, Canada, several countries in the Caribbean, northern South America, and parts of Europe, including the Netherlands.
Airport Transfers
You can arrange for airport transfers before arriving in Aruba. Tour operators will meet you at the airport or cruise ship terminal and escort you to your transportation. This option is available for individuals or groups.
Car Rentals
Several car rental companies have offices at the airport across from the arrival terminal. You can also take a shuttle service to and from the airport for car rental companies with offices located outside the airport.
Taxi
There are usually several taxis waiting outside the airport to take passengers to their destinations. Taxi rates are fixed and based on the destination rather than the distance travelled.
Bus
There are bus stops located just outside the airport that are serviced by Arubus, Aruba's public bus service. Several public buses stop at the airport, and you can take these buses towards Oranjestad. At the bus station, you can transfer to bus line 10, which will take you to the low and high-rise hotels. The fee for the public bus is $2.60 per ride.
Parking
The airport has a large parking lot that operates with a ticket system. To enter the parking lot, you will need to take a ticket from the machine next to the entry barrier. Before leaving the airport, you can pay for your parking at one of the two machines located in the arrival terminal.
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Frequently asked questions
There is one airport in Aruba with scheduled flights: Queen Beatrix International Airport.
The airport code for Aruba is AUA.
Airlines that fly to Aruba include American Airlines, TUI Airlines Netherlands, Winair, and Arkefly.
You can get from the airport in Aruba to your destination by taxi, bus, shuttle, or rental car.
