It’s a Tuesday morning in February, and I’m headed to work. Don’t cry too hard for me, dear reader; work in this case involves a round trip to Rio de Janiero and back in the 767. Today’s commute to my base airport is a rare two-legger, and on the first leg I’m traveling on an even rarer paid ticket. A few days ago Windbird made a beautiful starlit passage from tony St. Barth to the sunny isle of Antigua, which my employer serves but once a week. Thus I am starting my day by boarding a Winair Twin Otter bound for Sint Maarten (SXM). Accompanying me are my parents, who are heading home from nine sun-soaked days aboard Windbird, a welcome respite from an exceptionally snowy Minnesota winter.
Taking Wing: Airports of the Caribbean
Key Takeaways:
- The article details the author's personal connection to Caribbean flying, especially with Winair Twin Otters, using his commute to Sint Maarten as a starting point.
- It explores the unique operational challenges of several Caribbean airports, including St. Maarten (SXM) with its famous Maho Beach and demanding departures.
- Specific focus is given to Saba's Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport, featuring the world's shortest commercial runway, and St. Barth's Gustaf III Airport, known for its extremely short runway and steep, cliff-hugging approach.
- Despite their notoriety, the rare accident rate at these "dangerous" airports underscores the exceptional skill, training, and experience of the pilots who navigate their demanding conditions.
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