Queen Beatrix International Airport surpasses 2024 numbers with 832,901 passengers in first half of 2025, marking 3.7% growth

A total of 832,901 revenue-generating passengers departed during this period, including 2,329 Business General Aviation (BGA) passengers departing via JET-TNCA, the Fixed Base Operator (FBO) operated by AAA. It marks a 3.7% increase compared to the same period in 2024, underscoring the island’s strong tourism demand and the airport’s vital role in regional connectivity.

Market Performance

Aruba Airport remains a key gateway for leisure travel in the Caribbean. The North American market continues to dominate, representing 76% of the total passenger traffic in market share. Within that, U.S. traffic grew by 1%, while Canada posted an impressive 12% increase, indicating continued growth from that segment. Latin America demonstrated consistent growth, accounting for 15.8% of the total traffic. It aligns with AAA’s strategic focus on diversifying its market base beyond North America. The Dutch Caribbean experienced solid year-over-year growth, achieving a 4.3% market share, while Europe saw a slight decline of 1%, holding a 4.1% market share. It contributed to a well-balanced regional mix.

Traffic and Operational Performance

In the first half of 2025, Aruba Airport recorded 7,280 commercial aircraft movements, representing a 4.0% increase compared to 2024. Commercial passenger traffic rose by 3.7%, while the average load factor climbed to 85.1%, up from 84.8% in 2024.
Seat capacity from North America grew by 1.5%, while Latin America saw a notable 20.1% increase, further strengthening Aruba Airport’s diversified route portfolio. General aviation movements at JET-TNCA totaled 738.

New Airline Routes and Service Updates

As of mid-2025, Aruba Airport hosted 25 airlines offering 45 nonstop routes to over 30 destinations, reinforcing its position as a regional hub and reflecting continued success in air service development. The winter season forecast looks promising, as airlines continue to expand their services to the destination. 

Below are the confirmed winter updates so far:

• American Airlines—Now offering daily service from Chicago, enhancing access from the U.S. Midwest.
• United Airlines – Operating daily flights from Houston and Washington, D.C., during peak winter weeks.
• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines—Increasing frequency to 9 weekly flights for the winter 2025–2026 season, strengthening connectivity to Europe via Amsterdam.
• LATAM Colombia—Launching a new seasonal route from Bogotá starting December 2025 to meet rising demand from Latin America.

Outlook 2025

Looking ahead, preliminary projections based on the latest insights indicate a 6% increase in total passenger traffic by year-end 2025, exceeding the original flat growth forecast. This positive outlook highlights the island’s strong tourism appeal and the impact of strategic airline partnerships and route development.

Gateway2030 & Infrastructure Advancements

The second quarter of 2025 marked a significant milestone in AAA’s Gateway 2030 expansion program with the successful opening of the new U.S.-bound Check-In Terminal. This state-of-the-art facility simplifies the travel process by eliminating the need for baggage recheck and secondary security screening, significantly enhancing the U.S. pre-clearance experience.
As travel demand grows, AAA remains proactive in addressing peak-period challenges through enhanced staffing, expanded use of automated passenger processing technologies, and targeted crowd control measures. Among these is the Passenger Flow Control system, introduced in June 2025, which regulates terminal access for U.S.-bound travelers and optimizes flow based on departure times. This system will remain in place throughout the upcoming winter season to support a more efficient and organized passenger experience.

Infrastructure improvements remain a top priority:

• All eGates at the airport have been upgraded to enable faster and smoother processing of passengers, enhancing the flow through immigration.
• Taxiway rehabilitation—including new asphalt layers and inset lighting—is well underway and on track for completion ahead of the winter season.

Passenger experience is also being elevated through:

• The upcoming launch of self-service bag drop technology in the U.S. Check-In Terminal by winter 2025 (November).
• Construction of a Food Truck Forecourt on the landside area, set to open in early 2026, offering travelers and visitors an open-air space with diverse food and beverage options.

With steady traffic growth, expanding airline partnerships, and continued progress on key infrastructure projects, Aruba Airport focuses on delivering meaningful improvements in both capacity and service. As AAA advances its long-term investment strategy, the airport remains committed to enhancing connectivity, supporting sustainable tourism growth, and improving the overall travel experience for all passengers.