Curaçao Hato Airport - Spotting Guide

Curaçao Hato Airport – Spotting Guide

March 9, 2015 - last modified on January 30, 2026

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.

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 (operated by Air Canada Rouge), Sunwing (summer only), WestJet 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, Arajet, Avianca, Caribbean Airlines, Copa Airlines, FlyAllways (irregular), Laser and RED Air (both with MD80), SARPA, SkyHigh and Wingo.

The current local carriers in the Netherlands Antilles are JetAir Caribbean, 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), some in derelict condition.

Cargo operators are often irregular visitors but you can see DHL, Amerijet, AerCaribe and even Boeing 727 opb Aerosecure Cargo and Uniworld Air Cargo.

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: curacao-airport.com

The US military are also present with a FOL (Forward Operating Location). Very rare but 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, Martin Rogosz, Gerrit Griem, Mylos Besseling. Last change: February 2026 – Spot 2

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
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 in- and outside 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.

	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

	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

The parking options – either by the side of the road or in the middle (on weekends it is often crowded):

The mirador itsself:

	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

	Spot #4 – Apron/Stored Aircraft
WHERE	There are two possibilities to photograph aircraft and helicopters parked on the ramp. 4A: 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. 4B: 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 in 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

	Spot #5 – Sand Hill Overlook – 11 movements
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 position as marked on the map, you can´t miss it. Park by the roadside and walk a few meters eastwards until the first position 5A. Continue on the hill eastwards direction terminal for approximate 150 meters to get a bit closer to the threshold of runway 11. Be aware that you have to walk through bushes with big thorns (see photos below)! There isn’t really a path.

WHAT	Spot 5A is best for line-up photos on runway 11. Arrivals are still a bit high there. Spot 5B is best for arrivals on 11 as the aircraft are much lower here. Also side on shots on the taxi and runway.

TIME	Runway and Taxiway from 5B for the whole day for landing. From noon till sunset ideal for aircraft line-up from Spot 5A.

MISC.	No disturbing fence as you are on a higher level than the runway. No seats, no food and drinks. Wear good shoes and long closes because of the thorns which are lying on the ground as well. Goats are hanging around here too.

FOCAL LENGTH	50-250mm

Spot 5A “Line-Up”

Spot 5B “Runway/Taxiway”

	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. For views of the western ramps (cargo, military, etc.) stay at the entrance of the deck and photograph through the gaps in the fence (see second photo with the tower).

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

	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)

	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

: Signage from the main path

: Picknick Table

: View from the top

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10 Comments

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Jonathan Beaumont

5 years ago

I’m back again, last year the airport opened a brand new observation deck at the top of the terminal where 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. It’s between the arrival and departure hall and is accessible 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.

https://ogfw4ihh7bwuhmxrwzmsitlqam-adwhj77lcyoafdy-curacao-nu.translate.goog/nieuwe-mirador-op-dak-hato/

Julian

Admin

Reply to Jonathan Beaumont

5 years ago

Hi, thats pretty cool. Do you have some pictures from there for us?
-Julian

Jonathan Beaumont

Reply to Julian

5 years ago

https://flic.kr/s/aHsmTf2cFo

Julian

Admin

Reply to Jonathan Beaumont

5 years ago

Thanks Jonathan! Postion has been added

Paul Engelbert

7 years ago

There are more spots further west, near the USAF’s Forward operating location (FOL). Take the dirt road that starts near the entrance to the FOL and follow it al around the FOL apron. This his provides views on the military aircraft that are parked there, like KC135 tankers and E3 AWACS, as well as landing shots on the runway.