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, sometimes also twice daily. Every second day, the royal blue dumpling makes a detour via SXM while a second KLM flight in the form of an A330 jet which is subject to season calls in after a short hop from Aruba, replacing the MD11 which used to fly this route. Also Arke’s dolphin jets look in, bringing passengers from Eindhoven (begins November 2015) and Amsterdam also!

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, WestJet (summer only), Air Canada, Rouge, JetBlue, and Sunwing (summer only) have been serving the island since decades now (except the new Canadian start-up Rouge). But not forgetting the big boss at Hato Airport – Insel Air. The very simpatico airline tears around with a small MagDog fleet which can be counted on the fingers of one hand, plus a few Fokker 50s and 70s aaand the very rare and cute Embraer 110s.

Thanks to the large amount of destinations, Curaçao is perfectly linked with its neighbouring states and cities.

Now fasten your seatbelt, and enjoy a piece of Caribbean flair!

Written by Marlin & Jonas Lehmann (Last Update June 2017)

Rating	Movements		Visitor Rating How was your spotting trip? Rate this airport now. (2 votes, average: 3.50 out of 5) Loading...
	Airline Variety
	Photo Locations
	Weather
Airport Information	Runways	11/29
		3.410m (11,188ft)
Spotting Information	Ladder	No, there is no need for it
	Car	Urgently required
	Restrooms	Inside the terminal building or in Hato.
	Drinks/Food	Food is available inside the terminal buildings.
	Hotels	There are no hotels nearby the airport, you can find hotels offering European standard either in Willemstad, Sint Michiel or in the north of the island.
	Season	Curacao is best to be visited during the winter month, as the light is shining more comfortable on the aircraft’s body, moreover it’s time of flowering during the springtime. The temparature 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.

	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 aircrafts will surely do.
TIME	Nearly throughout the day, from sunrise until late afternoon during the summer season. (We don’t know how the sun is during the winter months.)
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

CUR Spot 1

CUR Spot 1

CUR Spot 1

	Spot #2 – The Mirador
WHERE	There is a new constructed and roofed platform with a nice overlook of the airport. Located very close to the airport terminals, 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, Apron movements are only to be spotted limitedly.
TIME	Nearly throughout the day, from sunrise until late afternoon during the summer season. (We don’t know how the sun is during the winter months.)
MISC.	You can park your car immediately at the spotting location.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm

CUR Spot 2

CUR Spot 2

CUR Spot 2

CUR Spot 2

CUR Spot 2

CUR Spot 2

	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	Nearly throughout the day, from mid-day until sunset, the summer season. (We don’t know how the sun is during the winter months.)
MISC.	Photographs have to be made through the fence. Holes are large enough for proper photographs. 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

CUR Spot 3

CUR Spot 3

CUR Spot 3

CUR Spot 3

CUR Spot 3

CUR Spot 3

	Spot #4 – Under the gate
WHERE	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. Route is marked in blue in the map above as it is difficult of explanation.
WHAT	Parking aircrafts and departing planes
TIME	Nearly throughout the day, from sunrise until mid-afternoon, the summer season. (We don’t know how the sun is during the winter months.)
MISC.	Photographs have to be made through the fence. Holes are large enough for proper photographs.
FOCAL LENGTH	18-300mm

CUR Spot 4

CUR Spot 4

CUR Spot 4