Clear, blue water, sunshine, and the typical Caribbean flair – Welcome to Curaçao! It is the largest of the three ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao) and it also offers the largest airport in the region, by the way also the longest runway in the entire Leeward and Windward Islands being closely followed by Aruba and Saint Maarten.

This long runway enables the airport to handle widebody jets which arrive daily from Amsterdam! KLM regularly pays a visit. Also TUI jets bringing passengers from Brussels and Amsterdam and Air Belgium operates from and to Brussels with Airbus A330-900 Neo equipment.

But not only the Dutchman beat a path to the island, there are also many vacationers from the US and Canada coming along also very frequently! American Airlines, JetBlue, United, Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, Sunwing (summer only), WestJet (summer only) have been serving the island since decades now (except the new Canadian start-up Rouge).

Also quite some airlines from the Caribbean and Middle- and South America have services to Curaçao like Air Antilles (operating for Winair), Air Century, Avianca, Caribbean Airlines, Copa Airlines, FlyAllways (irregular), SARPA, SkyHigh, Surinam and Wingo.

The current local carriers in the Netherlands Antilles are JetAir, Divi Divi Air and EZ Air who operate inter-Island and some international services like Bogota, Medellin and Santo Domingo. At the airport there are still some aircraft present from the now defunct Insel Air (MD80/Fokker 50), some in derelict condition.

Cargo operators are often irregular visitors but AerCaribe operates a sort of scheduled service on Friday- and Saturday-morning, DHL Aero Expreso is operating a 2-times daily scheduled flight, unfortunately in the dark(er) hours. Ameriflight operates almost daily and Titan Airways operates once a week on Monday. LAS Cargo is also operating into Curaçao, but very irregularly.

Thanks to the large amount of destinations, Curaçao is perfectly linked with its neighbouring states and cities. For arrivals and departures the airport website can be checked: https://www.curacao-airport.com/

The US military are also present with a FOL (Forward Operating Location). Sometimes a few C-135’s or E-3’s are present. Also aircraft of the Department of Homeland Security do regular visits (e.g. Beech B300C or DHC8) as well as the US Coast Guard.

Written by Peter van Stelle, Paul Engelbert (Spot 5), Mylos Besseling (Spot 8) and Jonathan Beaumont (Spot 6). All spots checked, March 2022

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Airport Information
Runways
11/29	3.410m (11,188ft)
Terminals	There is just one terminal which is used for all flights.
Spotting Information
Ladder	At some spots you might be able to photograph thru the fence, but a 3-4 stepladder might come in handy.
Car/Public Transport	There is a bus connecting Willemstad to the airport (one-way price around NAF2,00) but the frequency is rather irregular. Check https://autobusbedrijf.com/en for more info. A rental car is a more easy way of transportation. On this moment there is a shortage of rental cars, so make your reservation in time.
Restrooms	Inside the terminal building or in Hato.
Drinks/Food	Food is available inside the terminal buildings.
Hotels	There is one airport hotel: the Curacao Airport Hotel (Franklin D. Rooseveltweg), about a 10-minute walk from the airport terminal. Rates are about 75 Euro’s a night (https://www.curacaoairporthotel.com/). If you also want to stay on holiday with family, a hotel or Airbnb in the Piscadera area is recommended, about a 10 minute drive with a car. But there are plenty of other hotels on the island.
Season	Curacao is best to be visited during the winter months, as the light is shining more comfortable on the aircraft’s body, moreover it’s time of flowering during the springtime. The temperature is constantly the same throughout the year.
Runway Usage
11/29	Depends on the wind direction. Winds usually blow from the east so that runway 11 is in use at the most.

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	Spot #1 – Franklin D. Rooseveltweg
WHERE	This spot is located near runway 29’s threshold which offers a kinda nice view on runway 11 vacatings or heavy departures. When coming from The Mirador simply travel the Franklin D. Rooseveltweg eastwards for a few 900m until the lay-by is visible on the left hand side of the street. Turn left and stop directly on this unused lay-by. You can also park your vehicle here.
WHAT	All arrivals into runway 11, vacating on taxiway ‘Alpha’ or heavy departures from runway 11. Please note that only a few airplanes taxi this way, not all airplanes which are landing on 11 vacate via Alpha, but heavy aircraft will surely do.
TIME	From sunrise until late afternoon during the summer season. During winter the whole day.
MISC.	There is nothing special to mention about this spot, please bring everything you need by yourself as there are no institutions nearby.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm

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	Spot #2 – The Mirador
WHERE	There is a new constructed and roofed platform with a nice overlook of the airport. Located just across the terminal. From there is a path leading up to the platform. This spot is to be recommended for a very comfortable Curacao Spotting, as restaurants are in easy walking distance as well as restrooms and a flight arrival timetable.
WHAT	All flight movements, happening at the airport, aircraft taxiing in after arrival. Apron movements are only to be spotted limitedly. Partly overview of the maintenance area where aircraft of the demised Insel Air are parked. Also aircraft of JetAir, Divi Divi Air and EZ Air can be seen when on overhaul.
TIME	From sunrise until late afternoon during the summer season. During winter the whole day.
MISC.	You can park your car immediately at the spotting location.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm

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	Spot #3 – Car hire parking
WHERE	This is also situated very close to the terminal buildings. When coming from the airport terminal, leave the arrival hall and turn right. A large building (marked in the map above) will immediately strike your eye when having walking for already a few yards where airlines (United, Tiara Air, Aserca Airlines…) and car hires are located with their offices and counters. After you’ve went through the building or around it you are already on the car rental’s car park. Go to the fence and choose a suitable place. Route is marked in red in the map above.
WHAT	Taxiings to runway 11 as well as departures and arrivals on the same runway.
TIME	From mid-day until sunset, the summer season. During winter the whole day.
MISC.	You might be able to photograph thru the fence, but a 3-4 stepladder might come in handy (or get on the roof of your rental car, although that might not be a clever thing to do as you’re on the Car hire parking) Moreover, freight container will sometimes be placed right in front of the fence, blocking some angles. But you can luckily avoid some of them by walking along the perimeter fence.
FOCAL LENGTH	25-300mm

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	Spot #4 – Apron/Stored Aircraft
WHERE	There are several possibilities to photograph aircraft and helicopters parked on the ramp. 4A: This is next to the terminal halls right under the international gate. When you leave the arrival hall, turn left to the Check-in counters and immediately behind these counters you will already see the airport fence. 4B: From the Mirador go in an Easterly direction until you have passed the Airport Hotel on your lefthand side and take the first left. Take the first left again at the junction and follow the sign “KLM office”. At your righthand side some derelict small aircraft can be seen, though the bushes are growing quite high these days. 4C: When you continue you’ll end up at a gate and sometimes you can see and photograph aircraft parked at this area (although that can be very difficult) 4D: Here you can shoot Dutch Coast Guard aircraft of helicopters as they are parked outside often, You need a 3-4 step ladder though (or the roof of your car).
WHAT	Parked and stored aircraft/helicopters
TIME	From sunrise until mid-afternoon, the summer season. During winter the whole day.
MISC.	Photographs have to be made through or a the fence. Holes are large enough for proper photographs.
FOCAL LENGTH	18-200mm

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	Spot #5 – Hill
WHERE	From the airport drive or walk west towards the USAF’s Forward Operating Location and before the entrance turn left into a dirt road leading around this off limits part of the airport. Take the next right until the final postion as marked on the map. Update March 2022: The situation has changed slighty and you cannot drive to the hill next to the military apron anymore as there is now some kind of construction site.
WHAT	From there you have a nice view from the hill down on the military apron as well as on all runway 11 landings and taxiing aircraft.
TIME	Whole day for landing and departing aircraft. From noon till sunset ideal for tankers and AWACS on the FOL apron. Be aware of heat haze for the apron.
MISC.	No disturbing fence as you are on a higher level than the runway. Only surveillance camera’s. If you’re spotted by the American military police they ask you to leave. But I don’t think they may force you, because Curacao isn’t the USA. Nevertheless try to keep a low profile and do not stand on top of the cliff above the FOL for to long. No seats, no food and drinks, no shade.
FOCAL LENGTH	200-400mm

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	Spot #6 – Observation Deck
WHERE	In 2019, the airport opened a brand new observation deck at the top of the terminal. It’s landside between the arrival and departure hall and is accessible from outside by elevator or stairs. It’s open from early morning to late night. It’s surrounded by glass so it’s not super camera friendly because of smudges and reflections but still a nice spot, especially during noon.
WHAT	You can see all the movements on the apron, taxiway and runway. Aircraft parked at gates 6, 5 and 4 are directly infront of you.
TIME	From sunrise until late afternoon during the summer season. During winter the whole day.
MISC.	Everything you need is in the terminal.
FOCAL LENGTH	Airbus A320 on taxiway = 40mm

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	Spot #7 – Departure Gates
WHERE	When flying it is possible to photograph from the café/restaurant area in the departure lounge behind customs, situated between Gate #4 and Gate #5 (the lefthand side of the building). You have to shoot though slightly tinted glass, but the results are OK. Just check and clean the part of the window you’re shooting through.
WHAT	You can shoot all traffic on the runway and taxiway in front of you.
TIME	From sunrise until late afternoon during the summer season. During winter the whole day.
MISC.	Everything you need is in this area
FOCAL LENGTH	Taxiway: 60 mm (B777-300), 150 mm (B737-800) Runway: 150mm (B777-300), 300 mm (A320)

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	Spot #8 – Spotters Outlook
WHERE	If you are good on your feet and don’t mind to walk some meters up a hill this is your place too be. Start at spot 2 and enter Kaya Avido until you see a dirt path to your right hand side . Follow the path upwards as marked on the map. After approximate 650m, a small path pops up with the “Spotters Outlook” sign. Turn right and walk till the end where a picknick table is installed. The advantage over spot 2 is that you have a free sight of the runway and taxiway withouth disturbing buildings.
WHAT	You can shoot all traffic on the runway and taxiway in front of you as well as the cargo apron and partially the terminal ramp.
TIME	From sunrise until late afternoon during the summer season. During winter the whole day.
MISC.	There is only a picknick table, so be prepared! No shadow!
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm

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