Aruba airport

As the touristic generates an important part of Aruban national income, the connection with different regions of the world must have been improved. Therefore the Aeropuerto Internacional Reina Beatrix has been built. Placed in the southern part of Oranjestad – the capital of Aruba – the airport attends the whole air-traffic.

First time, the idea of building an airport was mentioned in 1933. The same year the first drafts and plans were presented. Dakota (earlier: Wayaca) coast was chosen for a place. The operation took about a year so on December 23, 1934 the first aircraft landed at Savaneta (the oldest town in Aruba, formerly the capital, also the place of Dutch first settlements after recapturing the island in 1816). The first scheduled flight’s destination was neighboring island Curaçao. It happened on January 19, 1935. Only one year sufficed to transport more than 2600 travelers between Aruba and Curaçao. The year 1937 brought up a Radio Station for controlling the air-traffic and a first passenger handling. After that there were regular flight connections with Barbados, Trinidad, La Guaira, Paramaribo but also Miami and Lisbon. The next years were dedicated to reconstructing and improving the airport. The second terminal was added.

On October 22, 1955 the airport changed its name. The old location-based ‘Dakota’ was replaced by the new – Queen Beatrix – name. Nine years later the airport was ready to overtake the Jet Aircrafts. Building of the current shape of ‘Aeropuerto Internacional Reina Beatrix’ begun in 1972. The last thirty years were spent on improving the base to attend the newest world standards.

Nowadays, Aeropuerto Internacional Reina Beatrix disposes one runway operating in two directions. Its length is about 9,000 feet (1,70 miles). Separate services are responsible for the safety and cooperation on the aircraft. The terminal building contains spacious moving escalators, flight and baggage information systems, the restrooms for families, the medical center, bank and – that seems nice! – the meditation room.

For the present, the Queen Beatrix International Airport is modernized enough to accommodate the aircrafts as big as Boeing or Airbus. That opened a possibility of connecting Aruba to the international air-traffic. Now, the largest aircrafts belonging to the airlines from all over the world land in Oranjestad. In addition to the scheduled flights, there are also a lot of charters. The available year round charters are from Boston, Chicago, Detroit, and Hartford. The island is also served by seasonal charters from Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Louisville, Nashville, Orlando, Philadelphia, and Stewart Newburgh.

Flights to Aruba

Most scheduled flights to Aruba departure from Curaçao. A few different airlines operate this route – for example Insel Air, Aires, Vensecar International, but also Dutch Antilles Express. The other popular destinations are Paramaribo (by Surinam Airways), Las Piedras (Tiara Air), Caracas (Aserca Airlines, AVIOR), Bogota (SAM), Amsterdam (Martinair, Arkefly), and many others.

The official website of the Aruba Airport contains some very useful features rationalizing flight-planning. At first, you can check the timetable.

The available tables apply to the current flights and also for the next two days. What’s interesting, there are usually about thirty arrivals and thirty departures everyday.

Douane and taxes

It is good to know a bit about taxes that must be paid, even if they’re usually included in the ticket price – for US-bound passengers departure tax is $36.75, the other destinations - $33.50.

The plan of Queen Beatrix Airport is available here (separately the ground and the first floor): Aruba airport guide.
The map of the airport and its neighborhood might be seen here: Airport map.

Arriving in Oranjestad you don’t have to worry about the rest of your travel in Aruba. There are a few ways to move forward from the airport. Starting with public transport – the bus stops are located just outside the terminal. You can also order a taxi. If you prefer, you can also rent a car – there are ten car rentals agencies (with the best-known international company – Avis).

The Aruban Airport, the same as the rest of the island, is well-prepared for thousands of tourists that visit Aruba every week. Aeropuerto Internacional Reina Beatrix guarantee to do its best to make you enjoy your travel. There’s nothing more to add but to remind about the sunscreen.

Cheap Flights to Aruba