Lifestyle
Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM): what the passenger numbers mean
Princess Juliana International Airport in Simpson Bay handled 1.8 million total passengers in 2025 (SXM Airport), while the Statistics Department counted 855,994 air passenger arrivals in 2025. The two figures measure different things.
By SXM Daily ยท
Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) in Simpson Bay is Sint Maarten's international airport, run by PJIAE N.V. Two official sources publish passenger numbers for it, and they count different things: the airport reported 1.8 million total passengers in 2025 (SXM Airport), while the Statistics Department recorded 855,994 air passenger arrivals in 2025 (Statistics Department).
Photo: RCraig09 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Two figures, two measures
Total passengers, counted by the airport. In a press release on 9 February 2026, the airport said total passenger traffic grew from 1.6 million in 2024 (SXM Airport) to 1.8 million in 2025 (SXM Airport). This is the airport's count of total passenger traffic.
By market, the airport said traffic grew 9.5% from the regional Caribbean, 9% from Europe, 9% from South America, 8% from Canada and 7.3% from North America in 2025 (SXM Airport).
Air passenger arrivals, counted by the Statistics Department. The Department of Statistics (STAT) recorded 855,994 air passenger arrivals in 2025 (Statistics Department), as published by the Government of Sint Maarten. This count covers arrivals only, and it includes transfer passengers.
Because one figure is total traffic and the other is arrivals only, the two should not be compared as if they measured the same thing.
The terminal and the new Arrival Hall
The terminal was rebuilt starting in 2021. The new Arrival Hall opened in November 2024, and automated collection of immigration data started at the same time, according to the Government of Sint Maarten.
Regional flights
SXM also serves the region. Inter-island and regional flights also leave from the airport, which matters for residents who travel around the region.
FAQ
Q: How many passengers used Princess Juliana International Airport in 2025?
A: The airport reported 1.8 million total passengers in 2025 (SXM Airport).
Q: Why does the Statistics Department give a lower number?
A: It counts air passenger arrivals only, including transfers: 855,994 in 2025 (Statistics Department). The airport's figure is total passenger traffic.
Q: Where is the airport?
A: In Simpson Bay, on the Dutch side.
Q: When did the new Arrival Hall open?
A: In November 2024.
Sources
- https://www.sxmairport.com/press-awards/strong-passenger-growth-in-2025
- https://www.sintmaartengov.org/news/pages/Passenger-Arrivals-and-Cruise-Arrivals-Show-Growth-in-2025.aspx
- https://www.sintmaartengov.org/news/pages/10-8-Increase-in-Q1-2025-Arrivals,-Highlighting-Automation-Milestone.aspx
Source: https://www.sxmairport.com/press-awards/strong-passenger-growth-in-2025