# Princess Juliana International Airport
**Princess Juliana International Airport** (SXM, ICAO code TNCM) is the international airport of Dutch Sint Maarten in the northeastern Caribbean, known for its runway that begins directly at the edge of [Maho Beach](https://www.edgepedia.org/maho-beach), so arriving aircraft pass low over the sand on final approach. It is the largest airport on the island of [Sint Maarten](https://www.edgepedia.org/sint-maarten)/Saint Martin, which is divided between the Netherlands and France, and it serves as a regional hub for neighboring islands.[1](https://photorecon.net/plane-spotting-at-sint-maartens-maho-beach/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Codes and location | SXM (IATA), TNCM (ICAO); Airport Rd, Simpson Bay, on the Dutch side of Sint Maarten[2](https://www.sxmairport.com/) • [1](https://photorecon.net/plane-spotting-at-sint-maartens-maho-beach/) |
| Origins | Began as a tiny airstrip used by the US military during World War II; the first KLM commercial flight landed on December 3, 1943 in a "Kolibri" aircraft[3](https://www.sxmairport.com/includes/pdfs/2012-Annual-Report.pdf) |
| Runway | A single runway, 10/28, about 7,500 feet long; runway 10 is used for all arrivals because a high mountain sits at the other end[1](https://photorecon.net/plane-spotting-at-sint-maartens-maho-beach/) • [4](https://www.spotterguide.net/planespotting/caribbean/lesser-antilles/sint-maarten-sxm-tncm/) |
| Maho Beach approach | Aircraft cross Maho Beach at altitudes of less than 100 feet on a roughly three-degree glide path, with clearance typically estimated at 20 to 30 meters[2](https://www.sxmairport.com/) • [5](https://www.la-sucriere.com/journal/maho-beach-sxm-airport-plane-spotting-guide) • [6](https://www.mbssxm.com/blog/maho-beach-plane-watching-guide.html) |
| Regional role | Its operator describes it as the gateway for French St. Martin, Anguilla, St. Barths, Saba, and St. Eustatius; direct service to 35 international destinations[3](https://www.sxmairport.com/includes/pdfs/2012-Annual-Report.pdf) • [2](https://www.sxmairport.com/) |
| Hurricane damage | Terminal severely damaged by Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 storm, on September 6, 2017, with winds above 180 mph (290 km/h); Hurricane Maria added damage ten days later[7](https://nrpbsxm.org/atrp/) |
## History
The airport traces its start to World War II, when the site was a tiny airstrip used by the US military. The first KLM commercial flight landed on the runway on December 3, 1943, flown with a "Kolibri" aircraft. The airport marked its 70th anniversary in 2013 and, by its own count, its 80th year of continuous operation in 2024.[3](https://www.sxmairport.com/includes/pdfs/2012-Annual-Report.pdf) • [8](https://www.centralbank.cw/storage/app/media/economic_bulletins_2024/20240927_feature_article_princess_juliana_international_airport_economic_bulletin_september_2024.pdf)
From these beginnings the airport grew into a major hub in the northeastern Caribbean. Its operator describes it as the gateway for [French St. Martin](https://www.edgepedia.org/collectivity-of-saint-martin), Anguilla, St. Barths, Saba, and St. Eustatius, and a contributor to the economies of those neighboring islands.[3](https://www.sxmairport.com/includes/pdfs/2012-Annual-Report.pdf) The airport's website lists direct service to 35 international destinations across the United States, Canada, Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean.[2](https://www.sxmairport.com/)
## The Maho Beach approach
The airport's fame rests on geography. Maho Beach sits at the threshold of runway 10, separated from the runway start by a road and a fence. Arriving aircraft fly a shallow approach of roughly a three-degree glide path and cross the beach a short distance above the people standing on it; the airport itself describes the landings as passing at altitudes of less than 100 feet.[5](https://www.la-sucriere.com/journal/maho-beach-sxm-airport-plane-spotting-guide) • [2](https://www.sxmairport.com/) One guide estimates the clearance over sunbathers at 20 to 30 meters on a normal glide path.[6](https://www.mbssxm.com/blog/maho-beach-plane-watching-guide.html)
Runway use is largely one-directional. Runway 10 handles all arrivals because a high mountain rises at the opposite end of the runway; departures usually also use runway 10, though some US carriers prefer runway 28 departures because the route toward the United States is easier.[4](https://www.spotterguide.net/planespotting/caribbean/lesser-antilles/sint-maarten-sxm-tncm/) The runway, about 7,500 feet long, has been served by aircraft as large as the [Boeing 747](https://www.edgepedia.org/boeing-747).[1](https://photorecon.net/plane-spotting-at-sint-maartens-maho-beach/)
**Plane spotting.** The combination of a resort beach and low arrivals has made the site one of the Caribbean's most photographed locations and a destination for aviation enthusiasts; SpottersWiki calls Sint Maarten an aircraft spotters' destination with unparalleled views of approaching jets, and Maho Beach together with the Sunset Bar & Grill is the de facto spotting location.[9](https://www.spotterswiki.com/index.php?title=Princess_Juliana_International) Traffic is heavier during the winter season, when many US visitors spend their holidays in the Caribbean.[4](https://www.spotterguide.net/planespotting/caribbean/lesser-antilles/sint-maarten-sxm-tncm/)
## Jet blast danger
The hazard at Maho comes not from landing aircraft but from departures. A plane taking off from runway 10 sends its engine wash across the sand behind it, and people holding the airport fence have been knocked over.[10](https://sintmaartenislandtours.com/maho-beach-plane-spotting/) In July 2017 a 57-year-old New Zealand woman died at Sint Maarten Medical Center after being injured by jet blast from a departing aircraft; she and others had been holding the fence, which carries signs reading "Do not stand. Danger. Jet Blast." Forbes reported the incident was the first fatality at the beach, after a 2012 incident in which a woman was injured when blast threw her against concrete.[11](https://time.com/4856617/sint-maarten-maho-beach-tourist-killed-airplane-jet-blast/)
Guides written for visitors converge on the same rule: watch from the sand on the beach side of the road, well clear of the airport fence.[10](https://sintmaartenislandtours.com/maho-beach-plane-spotting/)
## Hurricane Irma and reconstruction
On September 6, 2017, [Hurricane Irma](https://www.edgepedia.org/hurricane-irma) struck Sint Maarten as a Category 5 hurricane. Winds exceeding 180 miles per hour (290 km/h) blew off the terminal roof, caved in the entrance doors, and battered the interior; ten days later [Hurricane Maria](https://www.edgepedia.org/hurricane-maria) damaged the already compromised structure. With most of the roof missing, rain and sea spray damaged equipment and electronics on all levels, and mold growth rendered the building inoperable.[7](https://nrpbsxm.org/atrp/)
Reconstruction followed. The [European Investment Bank](https://www.edgepedia.org/european-investment-bank) provided USD 50 million toward rebuilding the passenger terminal, with the aim of restoring capacity to pre-hurricane levels under improved security meeting [International Civil Aviation Organization](https://www.edgepedia.org/international-civil-aviation-organization) standards.[12](https://www.eib.org/en/press/all/2019-347-eib-provides-usd-50-million-to-rebuild-sint-maarten-s-hurricane-hit-international-airport) The terminal reconstruction, funded under a Trust Fund grant at US$70.00 million including US$57 million in co-financing, began on October 4, 2021, with a latest takeover on November 9, 2024 and planned completion by June 30, 2025.[13](https://www.tweedekamer.nl/downloads/document?id=2025D35642) The project is designed to improve resilience toward hurricanes as well as restore capacity.[7](https://nrpbsxm.org/atrp/)
Traffic has recovered alongside the rebuilding. In 2024 airport officials described a significant recovery in passenger movements, and the airport's new arrivals terminal was scheduled to reopen on October 8 of that year.[14](https://www.caribjournal.com/2024/08/20/st-maarten-airport-traffic-recovery-seeing/)
## References
1. [Plane Spotting at Sint Maarten's Maho Beach, Photorecon](https://photorecon.net/plane-spotting-at-sint-maartens-maho-beach/)
2. [Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) Official Site](https://www.sxmairport.com/)
3. [The Princess Juliana, SXM Airport 2012 Annual Report](https://www.sxmairport.com/includes/pdfs/2012-Annual-Report.pdf)
4. [Sint Maarten Princess Juliana Spotting Guide, spotterguide.net](https://www.spotterguide.net/planespotting/caribbean/lesser-antilles/sint-maarten-sxm-tncm/)
5. [Maho Beach & SXM Airport: The Plane-Spotting Guide, La Sucrière Journal](https://www.la-sucriere.com/journal/maho-beach-sxm-airport-plane-spotting-guide)
6. [Maho Beach Plane Watching: The Complete Guide, MBS SXM](https://www.mbssxm.com/blog/maho-beach-plane-watching-guide.html)
7. [Airport Terminal Reconstruction Project, National Recovery Program Bureau](https://nrpbsxm.org/atrp/)
8. [Princess Juliana International Airport feature article, Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten Economic Bulletin, September 2024](https://www.centralbank.cw/storage/app/media/economic_bulletins_2024/20240927_feature_article_princess_juliana_international_airport_economic_bulletin_september_2024.pdf)
9. [Princess Juliana International Airport, SpottersWiki](https://www.spotterswiki.com/index.php?title=Princess_Juliana_International)
10. [Maho Beach Plane Spotting: Where to Stand and When the Big Jets Come In, Sint Maarten Island Tours](https://sintmaartenislandtours.com/maho-beach-plane-spotting/)
11. [Tourist Killed by Jet Blast at Beach Famous for Low-Flying Planes, Time](https://time.com/4856617/sint-maarten-maho-beach-tourist-killed-airplane-jet-blast/)
12. [EIB provides USD 50 million to rebuild Sint Maarten's hurricane hit international airport](https://www.eib.org/en/press/all/2019-347-eib-provides-usd-50-million-to-rebuild-sint-maarten-s-hurricane-hit-international-airport)
13. [Project Results and Implementation Progress, Tweede Kamer document 2025D35642](https://www.tweedekamer.nl/downloads/document?id=2025D35642)
14. [St Maarten Says It Is Seeing a "Significant Recovery" in Airport Traffic, Caribbean Journal](https://www.caribjournal.com/2024/08/20/st-maarten-airport-traffic-recovery-seeing/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Technology and the built world › Transport and spaceflight › Aviation › Airports › Airports by region and status › Latin American and Caribbean airports*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 15, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 15, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license