
It’s summer! So we’re taking a look at one of the world’s most insanely dangerous airports. Located on the Caribbean island of Saint Martin/Sint Maarten it’s a hodgepog of moneymaiking, tourism-driven terror.
Princess Juliana International Airport
Where’s the best place to put your runway – right next to Maho Beach? Great idea. That way sunbathers can stare into the very jet engines of death as planes steam on in over head.
Famous for its ultra-low altitude flyover landing requirements, many tourists flock to the local beach to get fancy Instagram images and whatnot.
Despite it all looking insanely dangerous, we could only find two recorded accidents due to the plunging approach.
One in 1972 and the other in 2014. However, a woman from New Zealand died in 2017 due to a jet blast.
It’s fair to say it’s turned into something of a spectator sport, with tourists arsing about on Maho Beach as planes approach.
This annoying behaviour is often criticised by locals and the people trying to run the airport.
The result is there’s a sign (which we couldn’t find a copyright-free image for) that bears the legend:
"Jet blast of departing and arriving aircraft can cause severe physical harm resulting in extreme bodily harm and/or death."
The airport sort of revels in its famous/notorious airport landing. On the official website there’s a “Spectacular Landings” section to show off the descent.
The Spectacular Landing is only the beginning.
(Photo Courtesy of Richard Hazel SXM)#sxmstrong🇸🇽❤️ #stmaartentourism #stmaartenmap #planes #avgeek #airportstyle #aviationlovers #beach #rtghphotography #ilivewhereyouvacation #airplane #wednesdaythoughts pic.twitter.com/lLuqtqPfX3
— SXM Airport (@sxmtweets) 6 March 2019
The airport came about in 1942 as a US military airstrip to assist with the World War II battle.
These days, it sees over 1.6 million tourists a year. Many of whom clearly want to get themselves incinerated by jet engines. Take the trip!
Been there. Not going again!
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Really?! How was your trip? I can’t say I’ll ever visit the place. I want to go to Japan, Iceland, Sweden, Canada etc. Beaches I find a bit boring.
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It was long ago. It was a boat cruise …of sorts. Went to a whole bunch of islands, and ended up in Trinidad for Carnival. Glad I did it. Puerto Rico, which I did about 18 years ago was awesome. I love it there!!!!
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Sounds pretty epic. Well, I technically live on an island already here in the UK so see no need to travel anywhere ever again.
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