Lois Larson
Princess Juliana International Airport is located on the Dutch side of the Caribbean island of Saint Martin, in the country of Sint Maarten, close to the shore of Simpson Bay Lagoon. The airport is named after Queen Juliana of the Netherlands, who landed there in 1944, the year after the airport opened.
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What You'll Learn
The airport is in Simpson Bay, St. Maarten
Princess Juliana International Airport (IATA: SXM, ICAO: TNCM) is located in Simpson Bay, St. Maarten, in the Caribbean. It is one of the oldest and busiest airports in the region, serving as a hub for Winair and acting as the primary aviation gateway to the island.
The airport is situated on the Dutch side of the island, close to the shore of Simpson Bay Lagoon. It is named after Queen Juliana of the Netherlands, who landed there while she was the heir presumptive in 1944, the year after the airport opened to commercial flights.
Princess Juliana International Airport is known for its low-altitude flyover landing approaches due to the proximity of one end of its runway to the shore and Maho Beach. It is featured in the video game Microsoft Flight Simulator X, where players can land a Bombardier CRJ-700 on runway 10.
The airport has undergone several upgrades and modernizations over the years, including the construction of a new terminal building and control tower in 1964 and further facility upgrades in 1985 and 2001. It is located 15 kilometers northwest of Philipsburg, the capital of St. Maarten.
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It's on the Dutch side of the Caribbean island of Saint Martin
Princess Juliana International Airport is located on the Dutch side of the Caribbean island of Saint Martin, in the country of Sint Maarten. It is close to the shore of Simpson Bay Lagoon, about 15 kilometres northwest of the island's capital, Philipsburg. The airport is named after Queen Juliana of the Netherlands, who landed there in 1944, the year after the airport opened and while she was heir presumptive.
The airport is one of the oldest and busiest in the region, serving as a hub for Winair and acting as the major gateway to the smaller Leeward Islands, including Anguilla, Saba, Saint Barthélemy, and Sint Eustatius. It is known for its low-altitude flyover landing approaches, as one end of its runway is extremely close to the shore and Maho Beach.
In 1994, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and France signed the Franco-Dutch treaty on Saint Martin border controls, allowing for joint border controls on "risk flights" and requiring arriving passengers to have valid travel papers for both sides of the island. The airport has undergone several upgrades and renovations over the years to accommodate increasing passenger traffic, including the construction of a new apron and the upgrading of the old terminal.
Princess Juliana International Airport is also featured in the video game Microsoft Flight Simulator X, where players can land a Bombardier CRJ-700 on runway 10 in the "Caribbean Landing" mission.
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It's named after Queen Juliana of the Netherlands
Princess Juliana International Airport (IATA: SXM, ICAO: TNCM) is the main airport on the Caribbean island of Saint Martin. The airport is located on the Dutch side of the island, in the country of Sint Maarten, close to the shore of Simpson Bay Lagoon. It is one of the oldest and busiest airports in the region.
The airport is named after Queen Juliana of the Netherlands, who landed there in 1944, the year after the airport opened, when she was the heir presumptive. On 4 March 1944, Princess Juliana of Orange of the Netherlands officially opened an airbase as a civilian airport. The runway was 650 meters long, with 550 meters hardened to allow aircraft to land.
Queen Juliana visited the island using the airport in 1944, and it was eventually named after her. The airport has undergone several upgrades and remodellings since its opening. In 1964, a new terminal building and control tower were constructed, and further upgrades were carried out in 1985 and 2001.
The airport is known for its low-altitude flyover landing approaches due to its proximity to the shore and Maho Beach. It serves as a hub for Winair and is a gateway for nearby Leeward Islands, including Anguilla, Saba, Saint Barthélemy, and Sint Eustatius.
The airport has a designated code, SXM, and is located 15 kilometres northwest of Philipsburg, the capital of St. Maarten. It is featured in the video game Microsoft Flight Simulator X and was voted #1 Stunning Airport Approaches by PrivateFly in 2013.
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It's one of the region's oldest and busiest airports
Princess Juliana International Airport is one of the oldest and busiest airports in the Caribbean region. Located on the Dutch side of the island of Saint Martin, it has a long and fascinating history dating back several decades. The airport was officially opened in 1942 by Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands and was named after Queen Juliana, who frequently used the airport during her reign. Over the years, it has played a significant role in the development of the island and has become a vital transportation hub for both locals and tourists alike. With a rich history and a bustling present, Princess Juliana Airport is a key gateway to the Caribbean.
The airport has a long and distinguished history, and its development reflects the growth of aviation in the region. It was constructed during World War II, serving as a military air base for the United States Army Air Forces. After the war, it transitioned into a commercial airport, experiencing significant growth in the 1950s and 1960s with the rise in tourism to the Caribbean. The airport became a popular stopover for airlines operating larger aircraft, and its reputation as a busy aviation hub was solidified.
As one of the region's oldest airports, Princess Juliana has undergone numerous expansions and modernizations to accommodate the increasing demand and changing aviation landscape. Runways have been extended, new terminals built, and advanced navigation systems installed to handle larger aircraft and growing passenger numbers. The airport has also played a crucial role in the economic development of the island, providing employment opportunities and contributing significantly to the local economy.
Today, Princess Juliana International Airport is a bustling hub of activity, serving a wide range of airlines and welcoming thousands of passengers each year. It handles a significant volume of air traffic, including international flights from major carriers, regional airlines, and private jets. The airport is well-equipped to manage this traffic, boasting modern facilities, efficient air traffic control, and a range of services to ensure a smooth travel experience for passengers. Its busy status is a testament to its importance as a gateway to the Caribbean.
The airport's busy nature is also reflected in the diverse range of aircraft that utilize its facilities. From small private planes and regional turboprops to large commercial jets, Princess Juliana Airport caters to a varied aviation market. Its location, serving both the Dutch and French sides of the island, further contributes to its popularity, making it a convenient gateway for those visiting the beautiful beaches and resorts of Saint Martin. The airport's reputation as a busy and well-managed hub has solidified its position as a preferred choice for airlines and travelers alike.
Princess Juliana International Airport's status as one of the region's oldest and busiest airports is a result of its long history, strategic location, and efficient operations. It continues to play a vital role in connecting the Caribbean to the rest of the world, offering a unique blend of historical charm and modern convenience. For travelers visiting Saint Martin, the airport offers a fascinating glimpse into the island's past and a warm welcome to its beautiful shores.
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It's 15km northwest of Philipsburg, St. Maarten's capital
Princess Juliana International Airport is located 15 kilometres northwest of Philipsburg, the capital of St. Maarten. It is one of the oldest and busiest airports in the region, serving as a hub for Winair and the primary gateway to the island. The airport is named after Queen Juliana of the Netherlands, who landed there in 1944, the year after it opened and while she was still heir presumptive.
The airport is situated on the Dutch side of the island, close to the shore of Simpson Bay Lagoon. It has very low-altitude flyover landing approaches, as one end of its runway is extremely close to the shore and Maho Beach. The airport is being heavily modernised following a three-phased masterplan, which includes widening and strengthening the runway and increasing the bearing capacity of the taxiways.
The airport's official operating hours are 07:00–21:00. In 2015, it handled 1,829,543 passengers and around 60,000 aircraft movements. Princess Juliana International Airport is also featured in the video game Microsoft Flight Simulator X.
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Frequently asked questions
Princess Juliana International Airport is located on the Caribbean island of Saint Martin.
The airport is in the country of Sint Maarten, on the Dutch side of the island.
The airport's code is SXM.
The airport is known for its very low-altitude flyover landing approaches because one end of its runway is extremely close to the shore and Maho Beach.
The airport was opened as a civilian airport in 1944 by Princess Juliana of Orange of the Netherlands. It was named after her and has been remodelled and upgraded several times since then.
