PJIA named among Skytrax Top 10 Airports in Central America and the Caribbean for 2025

SIMPSON BAY-AIRPORT--Princess Juliana International Airport (IATA code: SXM) has been ranked among the “Top 10 Best Airports in Central America and the Caribbean in 2025” by Skytrax, the UK based air transport rating and consulting organization. SXM appears at number nine on the regional list, a recognition that reflects the airport’s steady improvement in facilities, passenger services, and overall travel experience.

The Skytrax ranking highlights that St. Maarten is world famous for its runway at Maho Beach, where aircraft land just meters above the shoreline, but also notes that beyond this iconic feature, Princess Juliana International Airport is a well run airport with a modernized terminal. Recent investments have produced improved shopping, dining, and lounge options, giving travelers more choice and comfort while in transit or upon arrival.

Passengers passing through SXM benefit from facilities that have been upgraded in recent years, along with approachable staff who reflect the island’s relaxed and hospitable character. Transport links from the airport to major resorts and towns are direct and simple, with taxis and car rentals connecting visitors to the wider island within roughly 20 to 30 minutes, which supports the island’s tourism driven economy.

The 2025 Skytrax list for Central America and the Caribbean places SXM in distinguished company. Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica, holds the top position, recognized for its reliable operations, clean facilities, and strong focus on eco friendly practices. Tocumen International Airport in Panama City ranks second as a major connector across the Americas with expanded terminals and efficient transit services. Punta Cana International Airport in the Dominican Republic follows in third place, noted for its open air terminals and strong leisure traffic. Curacao International Airport, San Juan’s Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, Bermuda’s L.F. Wade International Airport, Piarco International Airport in Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados’ Grantley Adams International Airport also feature on the list, while Jamaica’s Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston completes the top ten.

In its overview, Skytrax points out that airports across Central America and the Caribbean play a central role in connecting leisure and business travelers from North America and beyond, serving regions that are also important for international commerce and investment. The top ranked airports, including SXM, are recognized for combining efficiency with a focus on the passenger experience, from terminal design and cleanliness to retail, food options, and ease of movement through check in, security, and boarding.

Skytrax ratings are based on a unified global system that evaluates airports and airlines on a wide range of criteria. The organization relies on professional audits of products and services rather than customer review scores. Assessments cover terminal layout, signage, cleanliness, security and immigration processing, retail and dining, as well as wider service elements such as staff professionalism and consistency. Skytrax also organizes the annual World Airline Awards and World Airport Awards, which have become a reference point for quality in international aviation.

The 2025 Skytrax recognition signals that, while the region’s airports may not match the scale of the mega terminals of Asia or Europe, they provide character, warmth, and efficiency in their own way. For St. Maarten, it affirms that passengers arriving to see the famous Maho Beach landings are also passing through a facility that meets an international benchmark for airport quality, and that the island’s main gateway continues to move in a positive direction for residents, visitors, and airline partners alike.

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