The island of Saint Maarten (some use the name Sint Maarten) and its airport are located in the Caribbean Sea, which is one of the most popular tourist regions in the world. Almost every island that can be reached with comfort has development potential. There are two main ways to solve the delivery of passengers: ship or plane.
At the same time, sea and ocean cruises create a much smaller part of the flow of tourists compared to air transport. But the cost and complexity of the infrastructure of air harbors is much higher and sometimes requires non-standard solutions from engineers and architects.
The island of St. Martin from the Lesser Antilles archipelago has one of the most interesting airports in the world (included in the top 10 in terms of danger rating, according to Reuters). It also plays a large role in the transport provision of nearby territories: St. Eustatius, Saba, St. Barthélemy and Anguilla.
Princess Juliana Airport (full official name) has the ability to receive even large Boeing 747 class aircraft, although the runway, with a normal width of 45 m, is only 2300 m long, which is the maximum allowable value for some types of liners. In this regard, takeoff and landing, taking place on a 3 ° glide path, are considered the most dangerous in the Caribbean region.
The construction of the airport began with the construction of an air force base back in 1942. Although already in 1943, due to the lack of hostilities in the region during the Second World War, it was converted into a civilian one. After 1964, it was reconstructed with a new control tower and terminal. After 1985, it was modernized, so it began to be able to accept long-haul aircraft classes and fully correspond to the high development of tourism in Sint Maarten.
Features of the air harbor
Here you can talk about a variety of factors.
The island has a relatively small area - only 87 km², with a predominantly hilly terrain and tropical thickets.
The island is divided by different states: the northern part is the French overseas community of Saint Martin, the southern part is the autonomous entity of Sint Maarten, subordinate to the Dutch crown.
Only after 1994 was the Franco-Dutch border control protocol signed. The landing strip with its end rests on Maho Beach in the west of the Dutch part. Airplanes land and take off directly above the heads of tourists, 10-20 m above the surface.
Spectacular photographs and videos with aircraft bring incredible popularity to Princess Juliana among other airports in the world. Nearby there are several cafes and hotels that specialize in the most famous view of the island. A loudspeaker is installed on the beach, which reports about the planes coming in for landing, and broadcasts the conversations of the controllers and the crew.
In the central part of Maho, wind speeds can reach 180 km/h, which can be very dangerous and even deadly for humans, but this does not stop curious tourists who try to take vivid photos and videos with air liners.
In 2012, noted photographer Josef Hoeflener published black-and-white spotter images of the airport's surroundings, including them in the book Jetliner: The Complete Works.
Infrastructure
The location and topography of the island of Sint Maarten did not imply the construction of a full-fledged runway. Therefore, it was decided to build the minimum length of the strip for long-haul liners (for example, 747). At the same time, the width was increased to 45 m. Radar systems provide a range of up to 460 km. The throughput is thus up to 30 flights per hour.
The dispatch service also provides control over other small airports in this zone: Clayton J. Lloyd, L'Espérance, Gustaf III. The 30,500 m² terminal can serve up to 2,500,000 passengers per year. In the entire history of the airport, not a single disaster has been recorded, although this runway is considered one of the most difficult for airline crews and dispatch services.
Photos and videos from Sint Maarten airport
View of the island of Sint Maarten
Princess Juliana airport runway
The landing strip with its end rests on Maho Beach in the west of the Dutch part. Airplanes land and take off directly above the heads of tourists, 10-20 m above the surface.
No wonder the island has an unspoken status of unique. Firstly, the territory of Saint-Martin is peacefully divided by two states. Secondly, it is the smallest land on which two countries coexist, the earth on the planet. Thirdly, one of the most unusual airports in the world is located here. There are fifth, seventh, tenth ...
Saint Martin on the map
Saint Martin Island on the world map or a detailed map of the island can be viewed using the navigation buttons (+/-).
Since the island belongs to two European powers, it has two names: the French say Saint-Martin (accent on the last syllable), while the Dutch call it Sint Maarten. Accordingly, there are also two administrative centers: Marigot (Fr.) and Philipsburg (Dutch).
City of Marigot An extraordinary island is located in the north of the archipelago of the Eastern Islands of the West Indies. The total area is 87 km², with the possessions of the Netherlands making up a smaller part - 34 km². On French soil (53 km²) is the highest point of the island (424 meters) - Mount Peak Paradise. The Caribbean Sea washes the coast of this political and geographical miracle.
City of Philipsburg Holidays in Saint Martin
Southern drive, solar energy, luxury holidays - this is Saint Martin. The whole range of traditional beach pastimes that they are famous for is available on the island in full, so the facts will be more informative:
- right above Maho Beach, giant Boeings take off / land incredibly low;
- Mullet Bay, Orient Beach and the same extreme Maho are considered the best beaches;
- duty-free shopping and the Dute Free zone, beloved by millions of tourists, will provide exciting shopping with purchases at affordable prices;
- in an equal course and the euro, and the guilder, and the dollar;
- the most hyped bar is the Sunset bar & Grill on Maho;
- Marina Simpson bay is the most comfortable for living: the beach is within walking distance, developed infrastructure, many cafe-restaurants with first-class cuisine and live music;
- You can get anywhere in Saint-Martin by minibus or rented car.
Tourists, despite the two euro-hosts, move freely throughout the island, freely crossing the conditional border-pillar. The only thing you need to decide in advance is which side to spend the night on - it depends on which of the countries will provide a visa. And further. It's easy to stumble upon a cooing gay couple on a nude beach, so homophobic travelers should avoid these places.
Airport "Princess Juliana" on the island of Saint Martin
Nature of Saint Martin
The exotic charm of the nature of the Caribbean is revealed in Saint-Martin to the fullest, although the soil here is not very fertile. The territory is a rounded top of a currently inactive volcano. The entire perimeter of the island is surrounded by a scattering of picturesque coral plantations, which are easily accessible by swimming. The wealth of the underwater kingdom will provide exciting diving and productive fishing (white and blue marlin, barracuda, wahoo, less often sea urchin, etc.).
Land chic is not inferior to underwater. There are palm trees on the miniature land, and cactus, and succulent thickets of forests, and shimmering fields of cotton, vegetables, and reeds. Flower lovers arrive in ecstasy from the variety of buds, their aromas, shades, sizes. The fauna is many times poorer than the flora and is represented mainly by feral livestock, birds and lizards.
Magnificent Saint Martin can be discovered every day, but never fully known - such a compact Caribbean island is diverse. Ecotourists will certainly appreciate the walks in the Botanical Garden and Zoo, located on the side of the Netherlands. Also popular in the Dutch part of the island are tours of nine churches, colonial-era buildings, Her Majesty Wilhelmina Monument, Forts Amsterdam and Willem, Sint Maarten Museum, Dawn Beach, Cole Bay Hill Tower, Watney Square.
And the French possessions will not disappoint tourists who are eager for impressions, especially nightlife lovers - this is a real paradise of casinos, restaurants, bars, discos, beach parties, original music. The day can be devoted to examining the French-style elegant buildings on Republic Street, climb to the ancient fortress of Saint-Louis, explore the unique expositions at the Museum of Culture and History of Saint-Martin and the Lulu Gallery, take pictures against the backdrop of the original building in which the Rue de la court is located. Liberte. Then go for a run through the Marigot market, go to the Creole village of Colombier, take a tasting tour of the gastronomic capital of Grand Case, relax your soul at the charming Butterfly Farm.
For those who are afraid to fly :)
1. Princess Juliana International Airport, Fr. Saint Martin
This post has been translated and compiled specifically for Pikabu.ru (you finally go to it :))), just kidding :) in fact, we are growing and prospering)
Princess Juliana International Airport serves Sint Martin, the Dutch part of Saint Maarten. It is the second busiest airport in the Eastern Caribbean. The runway is only 2,180 meters long, barely enough for large airliners. Pilots have to land very low, right over Maho Beach.
That's why this place is so popular with planespotters. It is difficult to believe in the authenticity of the pictures of giant liners flying at a height of 10-20 meters above sunbathing tourists, however, they are real. Despite difficult take-off and landing conditions, not a single accident has been recorded at this airport so far.
And here is the video of the landing:
2. Huancho Airport - Irauskin, Saba Island
Juancho Airport is the only airport on the Caribbean island of Saba, Netherlands Antilles. It is widely known among experienced pilots due to the size of the runway.
Juancho Airport occupies a fairly large part of the small island of Saba. Some experts are of the opinion that the airport is one of the most dangerous in the world, despite the fact that no accidents have occurred here. There is an X on each side of the runway to indicate that the airport is closed to commercial aviation.
The threat is the location of the airport. On the one hand, high mountains, and on the other - the sea and sheer cliffs. The danger is that when landing or taking off, the aircraft may go off the runway.
3. Courchevel Airport
Courchevel is the largest ski resort in the world, located in the French Alps. Courchevel Airport is notorious in aviation for its short runway, 525 m (1,722 ft) long and 18.5% incline. You have to land and take off on a slope to set the required speed.
Who can land here? Well, Pierce Brosnan would make that small list. It is this airport that is shown at the beginning of the movie "Tomorrow Never Dies". For the rest, the only way to get here is by private planes, helicopters, charter flights. Pilots go through extensive training to land in the CVF.
You can skip right to the 4th minute, before that there are a lot of conversations and a flight. And landing, judging by the video, is really very difficult ...
4. Gustav III Airport, St. Barthélemy
Gustav III Public Airport is located in Saint-Jean on the Caribbean island of Saint Barthélemy. Most passenger planes, such as the Twin Otter, carry less than twenty passengers and are designed to give vacationers a glimpse of the island from above. A short runway runs down the slope and ends right at the beach. Airplanes take off over the heads of tourists, everywhere there are signs prohibiting being at the end of the runway.
But crash aircraft at this airport
5. Barra International Airport
Barra Airport is the only airport in the world where planes land on the beach. The airport is located on the wide beach of Tri More, on the Isle of Barra, Outer Hebrides, Scotland. If you want to get here on a commercial plane, you can book tickets from British Airways, there are flights to Barra from Glasgow and Benbecula.
The airport literally floods with high tide once a day. If you arrive in the evening, you will notice several cars in the parking lot with their headlights on. This is additional lighting, as the airport is not designed for night flights. You probably don't want to walk along the beach at Barra Airport, unless you're a fan of aviation. For such cases, signs are placed everywhere: “When the windsock is up and the airport is working, it is forbidden to be on the beach.”
landed right on the beach)) looks unusual)
6. Madeira Airport (Portugal)
Madeira International Airport, also known as Funchal Airport and Santa Catarina Airport. It operates national and international air services on the island of Madeira. Madeira Airport is considered one of the most dangerous because of the short runway surrounded by high mountains and the ocean. This arrangement and the length of the runway makes landing very difficult for even the most experienced pilots.
Previously, the runway was only 1,400 m long, but after a plane crash in 1977, it was decided to increase the length of the runway by 400 m. reinforced concrete pillars about 70m high
For the expansion of the new runway, Funchal Airport received the Outstanding Structures award from the international association IABSE. In Portugal, this award is considered the "Oscars" of engineering.
7. Lukla Airport, Nepal
A huge mountain on one side, and a kilometer cliff on the other. And this is at an altitude of 2900 m, not so much depends on you.
Lukla Airport is a small airport in eastern Nepal. In January 2008, the Nepalese government announced that the airport would be renamed in honor of Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person to summit Mount Everest. The airport is very popular, as in the city of Lukla, many begin climbing Everest. You can read more about this airport
Airports almost never become the main attraction. They are needed in order to organize a trip to other attractions. An exception to the rule is the airport. Princess Juliana - for the sake of it, many tourists fly to the Caribbean island of Saint Martin.
A strange place, - an elderly Canadian complained, while my one-year-old son and I were walking along the terrace of the Sonesta Maho Beach Hotel, - the people here are unfriendly and very noisy. Who came up with the idea of building an airport next to the hotel?!” I didn’t upset the old woman with the fact that the Princess Juliana International Airport appeared on the island back in 1942 as a military airfield - long before the overseas Dutch and French The tourism industry flourished in the territories, and even in 1964, when the airport was completely rebuilt into a civilian one, this hotel was not even in the project.And the Sonesta Maho Beach Hotel got its name from the beach, famous for its proximity to the airport.
However, this is not even a neighborhood. We can say that Maho Beach is as much an integral part of Saint Martin airport as the terminal, taxiways or runway. Actually, the beach is the continuation of this strip, which rests on the sand (the narrow path for cars between them does not count). And it is this amazing opportunity - to spend a vacation at one of the most unusual airfields in the world, to stand under a Boeing 747 flying 20 meters above you, to be carried away by a jet stream of air into the sea - every year makes thousands of people come to this small Caribbean island.
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Let's talk about an unusual airport - Princess Juliana ... Imagine: you are lying on the beach, basking in the sun, drying yourself after another swim in the warm sea, pouring warm sand in your palms, looking at slowly passing clouds and suddenly ... Instead of a seagull right above you with a terrible rumble sweeps a huge liner!
Under the wing of an airplane...Princess Juliana Airport
And this is not an action movie script. You can see and experience all this by visiting the island of St. Maarten in the Caribbean. In the south-west of the island, on the territory of the self-governing state of the Netherlands, Sint Maarten, one of the most dangerous airports in the world is located - Princess Juliana Airport. Its danger is that it is located close to Maho beach.
The length of the runway is very short, a little more than 2 km, so the planes are forced to land, literally, flying no more than 20 meters above the heads of vacationers. At the same time, they create a huge air flow that forms waves. Landing liners create excellent conditions for windsurfers.
Probably if they asked me: I would recommend Sint Maarten...
