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Princess Juliana International Airport

Coordinates: 18°02′27″N 063°06′34″W / 18.04083°N 63.10944°W / 18.04083; -63.10944
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Princess Juliana
International Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerPrincess Juliana International Airport Holding Company N.V.
LocationSint Maarten (Saint-Martin)
Hub forWinair
Elevation AMSL14 ft / 4 m
Coordinates18°02′27″N 063°06′34″W / 18.04083°N 63.10944°W / 18.04083; -63.10944
Websitesxmairport.com
Map
SXM is located in Sint Maarten
SXM
SXM
Location in Sint Maarten
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
10/28 2,300 7,546 Asphalt concrete
Source: airnav.com[1]

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. In 2015, the airport handled 1,829,543 passengers and around 60,000 aircraft movements.[2] The airport serves as a hub for Winair and is the major gateway for the smaller Leeward Islands, including Anguilla, Saba, Saint Barthélemy and Sint Eustatius. It is named after Queen Juliana of the Netherlands, who landed there while she was heir presumptive in 1944, the year after the airport opened. The airport has very low-altitude flyover landing approaches because one end of its runway is extremely close to the shore and Maho Beach. While Princess Juliana International is the primary aviation gateway to the island, there is also a smaller public-use airport on the French side, in the French Collectivity of Saint Martin, called Grand Case-Espérance Airport.

History

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Foundation and early years

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The airport began as a US military airstrip in 1942 during World War II. The following year, the first commercial flight landed on 3 December 1943. The future Queen Juliana visited the island using the airport in 1944. Eventually, the airport was named after her. In 1964 the airport was remodeled and relocated, with a new terminal building and control tower. The facilities were upgraded in 1985 and 2001.

Because of increased passenger traffic and the expected growth of passenger traffic in the near future, Princess Juliana International Airport is being heavily modernized following a three-phased masterplan, commissioned in 1997.[3]

Phase I was a short-term program to upgrade existing facilities and improve the level of service at various points. This included widening, strengthening and renovating the runway, increasing the bearing capacity of the taxiways, construction of a new apron and an upgrade of the (old) terminal. Phase I was completed in 2001.[4]

Phase II included the construction of a radar facility and a new air traffic control tower, the construction of a new and more modern, 27,000 square metres (290,000 sq ft), terminal, capable of handling 2.5 million passengers per year, and the construction of a Runway End Safety Area (RESA) of 150 metres (490 ft), including a 60 metres (200 ft) overrun, on both ends of its runway, to comply with ICAO rules. The new air traffic control tower and the radar station commenced operations on 29 March 2004, while the new terminal opened in late October 2006.[5] The terminal has 4 jetways for large aircraft like 747s. If traffic develops as forecast, Phase III of the masterplan will be executed, consisting of an extension of the new terminal building and the construction of a full parallel taxiway system.[6]

In 1994, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and France signed the Franco-Dutch treaty on Saint Martin border controls, which allows for joint Franco-Dutch border controls on so-called "risk flights", requiring arriving passengers to have valid travel papers for both sides of the island. After some delay, the treaty was ratified in November 2006 in the Netherlands, and subsequently entered into force on 1 August 2007. Implementation has been delayed for several years by the government of Sint Maarten.

Development since 2010

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In July 2016, KLM announced that, starting in October, it would serve the airport with direct flights from Amsterdam instead of the triangle route via Curaçao. The previous triangle route used a Boeing 747. The new direct route would use an Airbus A330.[7] This change ended the airport's last regularly scheduled Boeing 747 service. The 747 made its last appearance at the airport on 28 October 2016. Maho Beach was almost completely covered with tourists and plane-spotters who came to witness the last landing and departure of the aircraft. In September 2017, the 747 did make a brief comeback in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, operating some relief flights. At the same time KLM announced the return of the triangle route via Curaçao, this time however operated by an Airbus A330.[8] In September 2018, KLM officials confirmed that they hoped to resume direct flights between Amsterdam and St. Maarten by November 2019.[9][needs update]

On 6 September 2017, the airport suffered significant damage when Hurricane Irma struck the island as a Category 5 hurricane. Video from a Dutch military helicopter showed the roof had been blown off the terminal, the jetways were damaged, and there was a significant amount of sand (blown through the fences from Simpson Bay Beach) and flooding on the runway.[10] The airport reopened on 10 October 2017 using temporary facilities while repair work commenced.[11] Pavilions were in use during reconstruction of the main terminal. In December 2018, temporary arrival and departure facilities opened within the first level of the terminal building.[12] The entire upper floor of the terminal and the four jet-bridges were out of commission until November 2023. The reconstructed check-in area opened in January 2024. As of March 2024, arrivals are being handled by a temporary arrival facility that was constructed next to the permanent terminal building.

Facilities

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An Air Caraïbes Airbus A330-300 flying over Maho Beach shortly before touch-down.
Warning sign between runway 10 and Maho Beach
Spectators at Maho Beach
Terminal interior

Runway

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The airport has a single runway numbered 10/28, measuring 7,546 ft x 148 ft (2,300 m x 45 m). It was renumbered from 09/27 in late 2008.[1]

Pilots guided by GNSS take a more efficient approach than those operating under VFR.[13] Local airport rules prohibit aircraft from flying lower than 500 feet (150 m)[14]

Arriving aircraft approach the island on the last section of the final approach for Runway 10, following a 3° glide slope flying low over the famous Maho Beach. The proximity of Maho Beach to the runway has made the airport one of the world's favorite places among planespotters despite the dangers.[15] In 2017 a New Zealand woman died from injuries sustained by jet blast from a departing aircraft.[16] Tourists have been often criticised for dangerous behavior on the beach.[17]

Apron

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The main apron measures 72,500 square metres (780,000 sq ft) with another 5,000 square metres (54,000 sq ft) on Eastern apron. For freight handling a dedicated apron of 7,000 square metres (75,000 sq ft) is available.[18]

Terminal

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Designed to handle some 2.5 million passengers annually, the new four-story terminal building offered (at least until the arrival of Hurricane Irma) 30,500 square metres (328,000 sq ft) of floor space and was fully air-conditioned. Available facilities included 46 check-in desks, 10 transit desks and 13 boarding gates. There were 20 immigration booths for arriving passengers and five exit-control booths for departing passengers.[19] The building also featured 40 shops and food & beverage units—some unique to St. Maarten—promoted under the retail theme "So Much More".

General aviation

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To accommodate the growing international and local traffic of private aircraft, PJIA has a fixed-base operator building, offering office space and private lounges with dedicated customs.[18]

Tower

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Since official opening of the new control tower, PJIA air traffic controllers have two radar systems at their disposal with ranges of 50 nautical miles (93 km) and 250 nautical miles (460 km). PJIA controllers manage 4,000 square NM of airspace known as the Juliana TCA around the airport, roughly between 25 nautical miles (46 km) and 42 nautical miles (78 km) of the St Maarten VOR-DME. Besides providing approach, tower and ground control at PJIA, these controllers also provide approach control for Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport (Anguilla), L'Espérance Airport (French Saint Martin), Gustaf III Airport (St. Barths), F.D. Roosevelt Airport (St. Eustatius) and Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport (Saba).

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PJIA is equipped with VOR/DME and NDB. The airport's official operating hours are 07:00–21:00.[18]

Airlines and destinations

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Passenger

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The following airlines provide daily or weekly service to the following destinations:

AirlinesDestinations
Air Canada Seasonal: Montréal–Trudeau (begins 17 November 2024),[20] Toronto–Pearson
Air Century Santo Domingo–La Isabela
Air France Paris–Charles de Gaulle
Seasonal: Pointe-à-Pitre[21]
Air Transat Seasonal: Montréal–Trudeau, Toronto–Pearson
American Airlines Charlotte, Miami, Philadelphia
Seasonal: New York–JFK (begins 7 December 2024)[22]
Anguilla Air Services Anguilla
Arajet Santo Domingo–Las Américas
Caribbean Airlines Barbados, Kingston–Norman Manley, Port of Spain
Coastal Air Anguilla, Dominica–Canefield, Nevis, St. Croix, St. Eustatius
Copa Airlines Panama City–Tocumen
Delta Air Lines Atlanta, New York–JFK
Seasonal: Minneapolis/St. Paul (resumes 19 December 2024)[23]
Frontier Airlines San Juan
InterCaribbean Airways Tortola
JetBlue New York–JFK
Seasonal: Boston
KLM Amsterdam, Port of Spain[24]
La Compagnie Seasonal charter: Newark[25]
Silver Airways San Juan
Sky High Santo Domingo–Las Américas
Spirit Airlines Fort Lauderdale
St Barth Commuter St. Barthélemy
Sun Country Airlines Seasonal: Minneapolis/St. Paul
Sunrise Airways Antigua,[26] Port-au-Prince
Sunwing Airlines Toronto–Pearson
Seasonal: Montreal–Trudeau
Trans Anguilla Airways Anguilla
United Airlines Newark
Seasonal: Chicago–O'Hare, Washington–Dulles
West Indies Helicopters St. Barthélemy, St. Martin
WestJet Toronto–Pearson
Winair Antigua, Aruba1, Barbados (begins 15 November 2024),[27] Bonaire2, Castries (begins 16 November 2024),[27] Curaçao, Dominica–Canefield, Dominica–Douglas-Charles, Fort-de-France,[28] Nevis, Pointe-à-Pitre, Port-au-Prince, Saba, St. Barthélemy, St. Eustatius, St. Kitts, St. Vincent–Argyle (begins November 16, 2024),[27] Santo Domingo–Las Américas, Tortola
Notes
  • ^1 Winair operates between Aruba and Sint Maarten but the flight stops in Curaçao on selected days.
  • ^2 Winair operates between Bonaire and Sint Maarten but the flight stops in Curaçao on both trips.

Cargo

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AirlinesDestinations
Air Cargo Carriers[29] San Juan
Amerijet International[30] Miami

Statistics

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Annual passenger traffic at SXM airport. See Wikidata query.

Accidents and incidents

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The wreckage of Skyway Enterprises Flight 7101
  • On 29 October 2014, Skyway Enterprises Flight 7101, a Shorts SD-360 (registration N380MQ) flying on behalf of FedEx crashed into the ocean 2 nmi (3.7 km) southwest of the airport, killing both pilots. The investigation concluded that the pilot flying suffered from a night-time somatogravic illusion after the flaps were retracted, causing the pilot to pitch the plane down into the sea.[31]
  • On 12 July 2017, Caribbean Airlines Flight 457, a Boeing 737-800 (registration 9Y-TAB) was taking off from runway 10 when the jet blast from the engines knocked over a woman from New Zealand, causing serious injuries. The woman was pronounced dead at hospital.[32]
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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "AirNav: TNCM - Princess Juliana International Airport". www.airnav.com. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  2. ^ sxmairport.com: Annual Report 2015, visited 2 March 2016
  3. ^ "PJIA masterplan". pjiae.com. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  4. ^ "PJIA phase one". pjiae.com. Archived from the original on 7 September 2011. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  5. ^ "PJIA phase two". pjiae.com. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  6. ^ "PJIA phase three". pjiae.com. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  7. ^ "Kult-Airport St. Maarten verliert Boeing 747 (German)". 5 July 2016.
  8. ^ "KLM W17 St. Maarten service updates as of 28SEP17". Routes Online. 28 September 2017.
  9. ^ "All good news at State of the Industry St. Maarten event - Direct KLM flights to return". The Daily Herald. 21 September 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  10. ^ "World famous St Maarten airport destroyed by Hurricane Irma". Stuff. 6 September 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  11. ^ "Rebuilding of SXM Airport Terminal Building Will Commence Soon". smxairport.com. Princess Juliana International Airport Operating Company. 5 October 2017. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  12. ^ "Back under roof". thedailyherald.sx. The Daily Herald. 17 December 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2019.[permanent dead link]
  13. ^ KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (2 February 2015). KLM Cockpit Tales: Part 3 - Big plane, short runway.
  14. ^ "AirNav: TNCM - Princess Juliana International Airport". www.airnav.com. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  15. ^ Soo Kim (4 October 2017). "The Caribbean's most spectacular airport has reopened". Telegraph.
  16. ^ "New Zealand woman dies after jet blast at world's 'scariest' airport". Guardian. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  17. ^ Katherine Scott (10 July 2018). "Travellers slammed for 'close call' plane stunt at famous beach". Nine.
  18. ^ a b c "PJIA" (PDF). pjiae.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  19. ^ "Princess Juliana International Airport". Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  20. ^ "Air Canada NW24 Sun Destinations Service Changes – 26JUN24". Aeroroutes. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  21. ^ "Air France Revises Pointe-a-Pitre – St. Maarten Service From June 2024". Aeroroutes. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  22. ^ "American Airlines Enhances Winter Schedule with 8 Exciting New Routes to Latin America and the Caribbean". Travel and Tour World. 16 May 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  23. ^ "Trade snow for sunshine: Delta's new flights from MSP to Aruba, St. Maarten and more". 21 June 2024.
  24. ^ https://www.flightera.net/en/route/TNCM/TTPP/KL/
  25. ^ "Business Class Airline La Compagnie Launches Service To The Caribbean". Forbes. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  26. ^ "Sunrise Airways Expands St. Maarten Service from late-July 2024".
  27. ^ a b c "Winair NW24 Network Expansion". Aeroroutes. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  28. ^ "Winair Adds Fort-de-France – Dominica Sector From April 2024". Aeroroutes. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  29. ^ aircargocarriers.com - Scheduled Routes retrieved 3 March 2024
  30. ^ [https://amerijet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Schedule-SB-Effective-010824-R1-fillable-2.pdf amerijet.com - Flight Schedule retrieved 3 March 2024
  31. ^ Hradecky, Simon. "Crash: Skyway Enterprises SH36 at Sint Maarten on Oct 29th 2014, impacted waters shortly after takeoff". The Aviation Herald. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  32. ^ Hradecky, Simon. "Accident: Caribbean B738 at Sint Maarten on Jul 12th 2017, jet blast blows woman over". The Aviation Herald. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  33. ^ Most Extreme Airports; The History Channel; 26 August 2010
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