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 unique and often challenging operational environments of several Caribbean airports in the Lesser Antilles.
- It highlights specific airports like St. Maarten's Princess Juliana (SXM) for its low Maho Beach approaches, Saba's Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport as having the world's shortest commercial runway, and St. Barth's Gustaf III Airport for its notoriously steep approach.
- The author emphasizes the exceptional skill, rigorous training, and consistent experience of the regional pilots, particularly those flying Twin Otters, which enable safe operations in these demanding conditions despite their reputation.
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