Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) in Sint Maarten has reopened in 2024 following a $129 million reconstruction project aimed at modernizing and expanding the facility, which was heavily damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017. The upgraded airport is now equipped with advanced check-in, baggage-handling, and passenger transfer systems, positioning it as one of the most resilient and capable airports in the Caribbean region.

PJIA currently serves as a critical hub, offering direct flights to 43 destinations across the Caribbean, Europe, and the Americas, including 11 cities in the United States. Passenger traffic reached a record 1.8 million in 2025, with approximately 54% of arrivals originating from the U.S., underscoring the airport’s strategic role as a primary entry point for travelers from the mainland.

Hans van de Velde, CEO of Windward Islands Airways International (Winair), the national airline of Sint Maarten, highlighted the airport’s regional prominence. He noted that PJIA’s size and connectivity have made it the Caribbean’s largest airport, which in turn has attracted increased airline interest and more flights. This status not only benefits tourism in Sint Maarten but also facilitates access to smaller nearby islands, many of which are not equipped to handle large passenger aircraft.

Winair, which has been operating in the Caribbean for 65 years, provides an extensive intra-regional network with 30 routes covering 17 destinations. The airline is crucial to the connectivity of smaller islands such as Nevis, St. Kitts, Saba, and St. Eustatius. Van de Velde described the airline’s importance to St. Barts, which relies heavily on Sint Maarten for daily passenger and cargo traffic, with approximately 100,000 passengers annually transported on over 25 daily flights.

Winair’s network benefits from partnerships with major international carriers including JetBlue, United Airlines, Air France, and KLM. These partnerships enable seamless travel for international passengers by allowing single check-ins and automatic baggage transfers through PJIA. Van de Velde emphasized that this integration has improved travel convenience for passengers connecting from destinations such as New York to smaller islands like Nevis.

In addition to passenger services, Winair has expanded its cargo operations through a partnership with World Cargo Solutions (WCS), enhancing the delivery of goods to smaller islands that depend heavily on imports, particularly fresh food. This collaboration uses available aircraft space and commercial agreements with global carriers to maintain reliable cargo connectivity within the region.

Winair has pursued a cautious expansion strategy to avoid the financial pitfalls experienced by other Caribbean airlines. Over the past eight years, the airline has gradually added new routes to destinations including St. Vincent, Barbados, St. Lucia, and Trinidad, catering to both local travelers and international visitors. Its fleet currently consists of nine aircraft seating between 20 and 50 passengers, with plans to increase this number once the airline completes its International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit (IOSA).

The company expects to obtain IOSA certification this year, a designation held by only a few regional carriers. Van de Velde stated that the certification will affirm Winair’s commitment to high safety standards, bolster its reputation, and support further growth through stronger airline partnerships and expanded fleet capabilities.

Looking ahead, van de Velde expressed interest in attracting more tourists from the U.S. West Coast, noting that while Sint Maarten is well-known among travelers from Florida and New York, it remains relatively undiscovered by visitors from California. He described Sint Maarten and the surrounding islands as a compelling destination for new markets seeking easy access through the region’s largest airport hub.