Jazmin Li
Princess Juliana International Airport, also known as St. Maarten Airport, has had a turbulent few years. After suffering severe damage from Hurricane Irma in 2017, the airport was forced to close temporarily and undergo extensive repairs. The airport reopened in October 2017, and since then, it has continued to serve as a crucial gateway to the island of St. Maarten. The airport has also had to implement COVID-19 measures, including a test centre, and has been working on a terminal reconstruction project. The airport's summer 2024 flight schedule has been released, indicating that it is open and operational.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hurricane Irma Damage | Roof blown off the terminal, jetways damaged, sand and flooding on the runway |
| Temporary Reopening | 10 October 2017 |
| Full Reopening Date | November 2023 |
| Staggered Reopening | June 2020 |
| Official Reopening to the US | 1 August 2020 |
| COVID-19 Measures | Facemasks, sanitization, mass fever screening equipment with AI |
| New Arrival Hall Features | Improved baggage handling, streamlined immigration and customs |
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What You'll Learn
St Maarten Airport reopened in 2017 after Hurricane Irma
St. Maarten's Princess Juliana International Airport was devastated by Hurricane Irma in 2017. The Category 5 hurricane caused significant damage to the airport, including blowing the roof off the terminal, damaging jetways, and causing flooding and debris on the runway. The airport was left to pick up the pieces of its famed air hub, which had previously served around 1.6 million passengers in 2016 and was on track to hit 1.8 million by the end of 2017.
Despite the extensive damage, the local community rallied together, and the airport was able to reopen just over a month later, on October 10, 2017, using temporary facilities while repair work commenced. This rapid reopening was a testament to the resilience of the community and the importance of the airport to the local economy and essential services. The first iteration of the post-Hurricane Irma airport operated out of a series of tents, with makeshift halls accommodating concessionaire services such as food and beverage options.
The reconstruction of the airport occurred in phases, with the first tent airport marking the beginning of the recovery process. In December 2018, temporary arrival and departure facilities were opened within the first level of the terminal building, and the airport continued to work towards restoring its full glory.
As of 2024, St. Maarten's Airport is still in the process of rebuilding and improving its facilities. With a new departures hall and modern technology, the airport set a goal to serve over 1.5 million passengers in 2024, aiming to reclaim its status as the busiest airport in the Caribbean.
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The airport's terminal reconstruction project
St. Maarten Airport, also known as Princess Juliana International Airport, has been undergoing a terminal reconstruction project since 2018. The project became necessary after the airport suffered significant damage from Hurricane Irma in September 2017. The hurricane blew the roof off the terminal, damaged the jetways, and caused flooding and sand on the runway.
The airport temporarily reopened on 10 October 2017, using temporary facilities while repair work commenced. In January 2018, the Minister De Weever kicked off the demolition of the airport terminal's interior. In July 2020, the airport began a staggered reopening to major airlines, with strict COVID-19 protocols in place.
The reconstruction project has also included the installation of new systems, such as a new baggage handling system, and the launch of an infectious disease awareness campaign in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The airport has implemented measures such as dynamic information sessions for staff and stakeholders, distribution of protective N-95 masks for medical professionals, and installation of mass fever-screening equipment with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to screen inbound passengers.
The airport's website provides updates on the progress of the terminal reconstruction project. As of 2024, the reconstructed check-in area and the new arrival hall, featuring improved baggage handling systems and streamlined immigration and customs processes, have been reopened. The airport has also released its Summer 2024 Flight Schedule.
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COVID-19 prevention and mitigation measures
St. Maarten Airport, also known as Princess Juliana International Airport, has implemented several COVID-19 prevention and mitigation measures to ensure the safety of its passengers and staff.
Firstly, the airport has installed mass fever-screening equipment with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to detect elevated temperatures in inbound passengers. This technology helps identify potentially infected individuals and prevent them from spreading the virus further. In addition to this, the airport has also established a COVID-19 test centre, where passengers arriving in the United States from any foreign country must present a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19.
Another critical measure implemented by the airport is the enforcement of face mask mandates. The airport's C-19 Task Force has emphasized the importance of wearing masks, stating, "Facemasks Save Lives." However, Saskia Popescu, an assistant professor in the biodefense program at George Mason University, has expressed concern over the variability in mask compliance. She has observed that masking requirements are not consistently enforced in airports, and even airport staff may not always wear their masks correctly.
Furthermore, St. Maarten Airport has also prioritized sanitization and disinfection processes. The airport completed its sanitizing process in July 2020, ensuring that all surfaces are regularly cleaned and disinfected to reduce the risk of viral transmission. In addition, the airport has encouraged passengers and visitors to follow specific guidelines, including regular handwashing and the use of hand sanitizer stations located throughout the airport. Social distancing has also been encouraged, with guidelines recommending a distance of at least 2 meters between individuals and avoiding touching surfaces and handshaking.
The airport has also initiated an infectious disease awareness campaign, developing a Contingency Plan to determine the necessary safeguards and strategies to address the COVID-19 outbreak. This includes dynamic information sessions for staff and internal stakeholders to ensure they are well-informed and prepared to handle the situation effectively.
Overall, St. Maarten Airport has proactively implemented various COVID-19 prevention and mitigation measures, including fever screening, testing requirements, mask mandates, sanitization, and educational campaigns, to protect the health and safety of its passengers, staff, and the wider community.
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The airport's staggered reopening to major airlines
In June 2020, St. Maarten Airport (Princess Juliana International Airport) prepared for a staggered reopening to major airlines. The airport had been closed to undertake repair work after suffering significant damage when Hurricane Irma struck the island in September 2017. The hurricane blew the roof off the terminal, damaged the jetways, and caused flooding and sand on the runway.
The airport did reopen on 10 October 2017, using temporary facilities while repair work was ongoing. In July 2020, the airport implemented sanitizing processes and installed mass fever-detecting equipment with AI to screen inbound passengers. The airport also implemented a mandatory facemask policy.
In August 2020, St. Maarten Airport reopened to the US, with strict protocols in place. In April 2021, a new COVID-19 test centre opened at the airport, and in 2024, the reconstructed check-in area and a new arrival hall were opened, featuring improved baggage handling systems and streamlined immigration and customs processes.
The airport exceeded its passenger traffic targets for 2023 and 2024 and launched its Summer 2024 Flight Schedule, advertising itself as the "premier gateway to the beautiful island of Sint Maarten and a crucial hub in the Caribbean".
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The airport's last scheduled Boeing 747 service
St. Maarten's Princess Juliana International Airport is known for its challenging runway, with aircraft flying incredibly low over the famous Maho Beach. In fact, it has been described as the world's scariest (or coolest) airplane landing.
For years, tourists and plane-spotters gathered on Maho Beach to watch the four-engine Boeing 747 jumbo jet barely clear the sand before landing. However, in July 2016, KLM announced that it would no longer be using the Boeing 747 for flights into St. Maarten. The final appearance of the 747 at the airport was on 28 October 2016, marking the end of the airport's last regularly scheduled 747 service.
The 747 was replaced by the much smaller Airbus 330, which first began operating the route on 30 October 2016. While the iconic 747 no longer makes this crazy landing, St. Maarten Airport remains a popular spot for plane-spotters, as the airport continues to accommodate various other aircraft.
In recent years, the airport has undergone a significant reconstruction project, with temporary arrival and departure facilities opening in December 2018, and the reconstructed check-in area opening in January 2024. The airport also implemented several COVID-19 safety measures, including installing mass fever-screening equipment with AI technology and mandating facemasks for all passengers and staff.
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Frequently asked questions
St. Maarten Airport reopened on 10 October 2017 using temporary facilities while repair work commenced.
St. Maarten Airport reopened to the US on 1st August 2020.
The airport installed mass fever-screening equipment with Artificial Intelligence to screen inbound passengers, and sanitising processes were also in place.
The new arrival hall was reopened on 15 October 2024, featuring improved baggage handling systems, streamlined immigration and customs processes.
The airport's official operating hours are 07:00–21:00.
