Sint Maarten Airport Closes After Aircraft Hard Landing
Princess Juliana International Airport on Sint Maarten is closed to all traffic until 12:00 PM local time on Monday, September 9th, following a hard landing by a WestJet aircraft. Both the aircraft and the runway sustained damage in the incident.
The airport serves as a crucial hub for flights connecting to smaller Caribbean islands-including Saba, Sint Eustatius, and St. Barths-disrupting travel for numerous passengers. Departing flights are experiencing delays or cancellations, while incoming flights are being diverted to alternative airports in the region. A WestJet plane also incurred damage to its right wing, necessitating its removal from the runway before operations can resume. The airport possesses only one runway, compounding the logistical challenges.
The Aviation Authority of Sint Maarten has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the landing incident. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses and the airport assesses the extent of the damage and repairs needed.