Ruth Haines
St. Martin, officially the Collectivity of Saint Martin, is an overseas collectivity of France located in the Caribbean. It is the northern half of the island of Saint Martin, the southern half of which is Sint Maarten, a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. St. Martin's airport code is 'SFG', referring to Grand Case-Espérance Airport, a small public-use airport that offers flights to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. However, the island's primary aviation gateway is Princess Juliana International Airport, located on the Dutch side of the island, which has an airport code of 'SXM'.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the Airport | Princess Juliana International Airport |
| Airport Code | SXM |
| ICAO Code | TNCM |
| Location | 15 kilometers northwest of Philipsburg, the capital of St. Maarten |
| Operating Hours | 07:00–21:00 |
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What You'll Learn
The airport code for St. Martin is SXM
The airport first opened as a civilian airport in 1944, with a runway of 650 metres. It was named after Princess Juliana of Orange of the Netherlands, who officially opened the airport. The current terminal building was inaugurated in 2006 by Queen Beatrix of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
In addition to Princess Juliana International Airport, St. Martin also has another airport on the French side of the island called Grand Case-Espérance Airport. This airport is much smaller, but it does offer regular international flights to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Its airport code is SFG.
Princess Juliana International Airport has undergone several upgrades and renovations over the years. In 2017, the airport suffered significant damage from Hurricane Irma, requiring 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 2024.
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St. Martin has two airports
St. Martin is a small island in the Caribbean that is split between France and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Interestingly, despite its small size, St. Martin has two airports. The island's primary airport is Princess Juliana International Airport (IATA airport code SXM, ICAO code TNCM), located on the Dutch side of the island. The airport is one of the oldest and busiest in the region, with regular flights from most major cities on the US East Coast, as well as Paris and Amsterdam. The airport is named after Princess Juliana of Orange of the Netherlands, who officially opened the airport in 1944.
The second airport on the island is Grand Case-Espérance Airport, located in the town of Grand Case on the French side of the island. This airport is much smaller and mainly services flights to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. It is often used by travellers looking to take day trips to nearby islands, as its small size makes for an efficient check-in process.
In addition to its two airports, St. Martin also has an interesting history when it comes to aviation. During World War II, the island was home to a US military airstrip, which was later converted into Grand Case-Espérance Airport. In 1994, France and the Kingdom of the Netherlands signed the Franco-Dutch treaty on Saint Martin border controls, which allows for joint border controls on arriving flights.
St. Martin's airports have also faced several challenges over the years. In 2017, Hurricane Irma caused significant damage to Princess Juliana International Airport, and the airport was forced to operate out of temporary facilities for several years. Additionally, the proximity of Maho Beach to the airport's runway has made the airport a popular spot for plane spotting, despite the dangers. In 2017, a woman was killed by a jet blast from a departing aircraft, and tourists have often been criticised for risky behaviour on the beach.
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The primary airport is Princess Juliana International Airport
The primary airport on the island of Saint Martin is Princess Juliana International Airport (IATA airport code SXM, ICAO code TNCM). The airport is located on the Dutch side of the island, in the country of Sint Maarten. It is one of the oldest and busiest airports in the region, serving as a crucial aviation hub in the Caribbean.
Princess Juliana International Airport is located 15 kilometres northwest of Philipsburg, the capital of St. Maarten. The airport was opened as a civilian airport in 1944 by Princess Juliana of Orange of the Netherlands, and it was named after her. The airport has since undergone several upgrades and renovations, with the current terminal building being inaugurated in 2006 by Queen Beatrix of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The airport is equipped with modern facilities, including two radar systems with ranges of 50 and 250 nautical miles, and a large apron measuring 72,500 square metres. It is designed to handle around 2.5 million passengers annually and offers regular jet service from metropolitan centres in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Jumbo jets also arrive from Paris and Amsterdam.
Princess Juliana International Airport has a unique feature in that aircraft approach the island on the last section of the final approach for Runway 10, flying low over the famous Maho Beach. This proximity to the beach has made the airport a popular spot for plane spotting, despite the dangers associated with jet blast from departing aircraft. In 2017, a woman died from injuries sustained by a jet blast, highlighting the importance of maintaining a safe distance from the aircraft.
In addition to Princess Juliana International Airport, there is also a smaller public-use airport on the French side of the island called Grand Case-Espérance Airport (IATA airport code SFG). This airport offers efficient check-in processes and regular international flights to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
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Grand Case-Espérance Airport is the secondary airport
St Martin is served by Princess Juliana International Airport (IATA airport code: SXM, ICAO code: TNCM), which is located on the Dutch side of the island. The airport is one of the oldest and busiest in the region, serving as a crucial hub for travel to the Caribbean. It is the primary aviation gateway to the island.
Grand Case-Espérance Airport (IATA airport code: SFG) is the secondary airport on the French side of the island in the French Collectivity of Saint Martin. The airport is much smaller than Princess Juliana International, but it still offers regular international flights to Puerto Rico, a US territory, and the Dominican Republic. It is recommended for travellers looking to take day trips to nearby islands due to its small size and efficient check-in process.
Grand Case-Espérance 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 named after a visit by the then future Queen Juliana in 1944. The airport was remodelled and relocated in 1964, with upgraded facilities in 1985 and 2001.
The airport on the French side of the island is also known as L'Espérance Airport, and it is one of several airports in the region for which PJIA controllers provide approach control.
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SXM is one of the oldest and busiest airports in the region
Princess Juliana International Airport, with the airport code SXM, is one of the oldest and busiest airports in the region. Located on the Dutch side of the island, it serves as the primary aviation gateway to St. Martin/St. Maarten. The airport first opened as a US military airstrip during World War II in 1942, with the first commercial flight landing in December 1943. Over the years, it has undergone several upgrades and expansions to accommodate increasing passenger traffic, including a major remodelling in 1964 when it was relocated to its current site in Simpson Bay.
The airport is named after Princess Juliana of Orange of the Netherlands, who officially opened the airport on March 4, 1944. It is situated 15 kilometres northwest of Philipsburg, the capital of St. Maarten. With its proximity to Maho Beach, the airport has become a popular spot for plane spotting, although this activity has been criticised for its dangers.
SXM is the second busiest airport in the hemisphere, with regular jet services from major cities in the United States, Europe, and Canada. It serves as a hub for smaller commuter planes connecting less developed islands. The airport has a dedicated freight handling apron and is designed to handle around 2.5 million passengers annually.
In recent years, Princess Juliana International Airport has faced challenges due to natural disasters. In 2017, Hurricane Irma caused significant damage to the airport, requiring temporary facilities while repairs were made. Despite these setbacks, the airport continues to modernise and improve its facilities to enhance the level of service offered to passengers.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport code for St. Martin is SXM. This is the code for the island's main airport, Princess Juliana International Airport.
St. Martin has another airport on the French side of the island, called Grand Case Airport, with the code SFG.
Princess Juliana International Airport is one of the oldest and busiest airports in the region. It is located 15 kilometres northwest of Philipsburg, the capital of St. Maarten. The airport suffered damage from Hurricane Irma in 2017 and has since undergone modernisation and upgrades.
