F. D. Roosevelt Airport: Your Tiny Gateway to Statia
A pocket-sized Caribbean airstrip where the plane ride is half the adventure.
Why Go
Blink and you'll miss itΓÇöF. D. Roosevelt Airport is one of the smallest commercial airports in the Caribbean, and it's the only way to fly into Sint Eustatius. Landing here feels less like arriving at a terminal and more like touching down at a friend's private strip, with the Quill volcano looming in the window and the whole island laid out beneath you.
The Experience
The airport (IATA: EUX) sits on the flatter middle stretch of Statia, just outside Oranjestad. Everything happens in a single low-slung building: check-in, security, immigration, and the open-air waiting area are all essentially the same room. Flights are almost exclusively short Winair hops from Sint Maarten aboard 19-seat Twin Otter turboprops, and the whole hop takes about 20 minutes. There's no jet bridge, no baggage carousel drama, no queueΓÇöjust a walk across the tarmac, a friendly nod from the ground crew, and one of the most scenic approaches in the region as the pilot threads between The Quill and Signal Hill.
What to Try
Grab a window seat on the left side flying in from SXM for the best view of Saba and Statia's volcanic silhouette. Chat with the Winair crewΓÇömany are locals who know the island inside out and are happy to recommend a dive shop or a lunch spot. If you have time before departure, step outside the fence line to watch a Twin Otter land; it's a proper aviation-geek moment and one of the shortest scheduled commercial flights in the Caribbean.
Insider Tip
Weight limits on the Twin Otters are strictΓÇöusually 20 kg checked and 5 kg carry-onΓÇöand they're actually enforced because the aircraft is genuinely small. Pack light, use soft-sided luggage, and put your dive gear in checked bags. Also, flights get cancelled or shuffled with little warning when weather rolls in over the Quill, so never book a same-day international connection out of SXM; give yourself an overnight buffer on both ends.
The Practical Stuff
F. D. Roosevelt Airport (EUX) is roughly a 5-minute drive from Oranjestad and central Statia. Winair operates several daily rotations from Sint Maarten (SXM); occasional charters connect from Saba and St. Kitts. There's a small departure tax collected on the way outΓÇöbring USD in cash to be safe. Taxis meet every arriving flight; there's no public bus and rental cars should be reserved in advance since the fleet is tiny. Terminal amenities are minimal: expect a small snack counter, restrooms, and free but patchy Wi-Fi. Arrive 60ΓÇô75 minutes before departureΓÇösecurity is quick, but the aircraft won't wait.
Pair It With
- Aquarium - Dive Site — Statia is a diver's island, and this signature site is an easy first dip once you've dropped your bagsΓÇöperfect for shaking off the flight.
- Baby Beach — A quiet, sheltered stretch of sand ideal for decompressing after landing or squeezing in one last swim before your return flight.
- Alvin V Courtar Park — A relaxed green space near town where you can stretch your legs, grab shade, and ease into island time straight from the airport.
- Bacchanalia — A convenient sit-down meal close to the airportΓÇögreat for a welcome dinner on arrival day or a proper send-off before you fly back to SXM.