Queen Beatrix International Airport
Address: Sabana Berde 75, Oranjestad, Aruba, Netherlands Antilles
IATA airport code: AUA
ICAO airport code: TNCA
Alias: Queen Beatrix International Airport
Phone: +297 524 2424
Facsimile: +297 583 42 29
Web: airportaruba.com
Elevation: 60 ft
Owner: Aruba Airport Authority N.V.
Aruba Airport Arrivals today
Aruba Airport Departures today
About Aruba Airport
The airport on the island of Aruba is has the name Queen Beatrix International Airport. Beatrix is
All Aruba arrivals take place on just 1 runway. With a length of 9,000 feet, larger planes are also able to have Aruba departures. Due to the ideal climate, the airlines offer many routes that are all year round.
Aruba Airport history
Aruba’s aviation history goes back almost 100 years. In the year 1923, two American patrol planes landed in Horse Bay from Panama. After a short stop the departures were to nearby Curacao. It even took another 2 years before a new flying boat made an arrival in Paardenbaai.
In the year 1933, a Curtiss-Robin plane landed on a muddy runway near Savaneta, Aruba. A year later, the first commercial Aruba arrivals were realized by Manuel Viana. A small plane flew back and forth between Aruba and Curacao every week. The flight stopped a year later because it was bought off by KLM. Later in the year, a Dutch KLM Fokker landed at Savaneta. KLM’s Aruba airport departures soon took place on its own runway called KLM Field or Dakota Field.
Because during the war submarines destroyed several large tankers, the government of Aruba realized a landing strip for the US Army. KLM Field then became Dakota Airport. Departures were carried out from here to protect the tankers and the Panama Canal against the Germans.
After the war
A third terminal was built after the war (later a garage for the airport fire service). A few years later, the former Dutch queen Juliana landed. After ten years of use of the runway, problems gradually arose. Cracks appeared in the track. A temporary runway was created so that a completely new one could be built. This new runway was 6,500 ft with a 4,500 ft taxiway next to it. The runway was later lit as well.
The 60’s brought jet planes. As a result, adjustments had to be made again to allow for AUA arrivals from jet aircraft. The runway was extended and a new terminal was added in 1972. There have been no major changes in the years since. However, several renovations and changes have been made. An important one is the United States border pre-clearance facilities. For flights to the US, check-in is done in a separate area.
Flight routes to Aruba Airport
There are many Reina Beatrix arrivals from the US. Airlines like JetBlue, American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines. These carriers have regular Reina Beatrix departures with/to:
- United Airlines: Newark
- JetBlue Airways: Boston, JFK New York, Fort Lauderdale
- Delta Air Lines: JFK – NY, Atlanta
- Southwest Airlines: Baltimore
- American Airlines: Charlotte, Philadelphia, Miami
Note that some routes will be add or stop. Just check out the live arrivals Aruba and live departures Aruba above.
Other frequently seen airlines are:
- Surinam Airways
- Air Canada
- Iberia
- Divi Divi Air
- KLM
Divi Divi Air have multiple Aruba airport arrivals from the nearby island Curacao. KLM offer Aruba flight departures to Amsterdam. When the pandemic is over other airlines like Copa Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country, TUI Airways, WestJet, Wingo will continue their routes. These will go to destinations in the area like Panama, Bogota but also Toronto-Pearson in Canada.
Aruba airport terminal map baggage claim
The airport has a terminal divided into two parts, one part for flights to the United States (USA Aruba Departures) and one part for all other flights (Non USA Aruba Airport Departures). The distinction between AUA departures to the United States and Aruba departures to other countries is made because the airport of Aruba offers “border pre-clearance” for passengers to the US. This means that you no longer have to go through passport control upon arrival in America, which saves a lot of time.
Aruba airport terminal map departures
There are several ATM’s available at the airport. These are at the Main Concession Area, Gate 7, Baggage claim area, Meet & Greet area. So there is easy after UAU arrivals to withdraw money. There is also free WI-FI available at the airport.
Ground transportation Aruba airport
After Reina Beatrix airport arrivals, you can go outside after a baggage claim to take a taxi. There are several taxi companies. There are fixed prices to the locations on the island.
You can of course also drive by car by renting one. The well-known car rentals such as Alamo, Amigo, Avis, Econo, Budget, Hertz and many more are available to immediately have an Aruba airport departure and explore the island.
A cheaper option is to travel by bus after Aruba arrivals. This is possible with the yellow Arubus and Aruba airport departures to:
- San Nicolas
- Macuarima
- Marriot
- Sabana Basora
- Malmok
If you have a car on the island yourself, you can also park at the airport. This costs 3 Aruban Florins per hour for the first 10 hours and becomes cheaper per hour thereafter. Two days of parking costs 60 Florins. There is also a drop off for Aruba flight departures and pick up for Aruba flight arrivals in front of the terminal. You may only stand here for a few minutes.
At the airport there are several shopping options, restaurants for some food and drinks and a VIP lounge at gate 2 and 8.
Passenger Statistics
In the year 2019, the airport processed more than one million passengers. This was 1,118,944. About 80% of these passengers come from the USA. Due to the pandemic, there has unfortunately been a large decline of 67%. Only 368,322 passengers arrived via Aruba airport in 2020. Fortunately, there is a recovery in 2021. The many Aruba departures to the US are important in this. Most passengers have Aruba airport arrivals from:
Hotels
The most popular hotel to stay at the airport is Hyatt Place Aruba Airport. Just 1-2 minutes walk from the terminal. If you also want to stay close to the airport of Aruba, but still on the beach, we recommend Talk of the Town Hotel & Beach Club. The vast majority of hotels on the island are located on the beaches in the west coast. Some top hotels with good reviews to stay in are the following hotels/resorts:
Manchebo beach:
- Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort
- Casa Del Mar Beach Resort
- Aruba Beach Club Resort
- Manchebo Beach Resort and Spa
- Costa Linda Beach Resort
Palm beach:
- The Ritz Carlton, Aruba
- Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
- Marriott’s Aruba Ocean Club
- Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club
- Holiday Inn Resort Aruba Beach Resort & Casino
- Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino
- Barcelona Aruba
- Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino
- Hotel Riu Palace Aruba and Antillas
- Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort
