F. D. Roosevelt Airport (EUX)
Statia's tiny cliff-top runway ΓÇö where the Caribbean rolls out beneath your wingtip.
Why Go
Blink and you'll miss the whole terminal, but you won't forget the approach: a single 3,300-ft strip perched on a plateau between two green hills, with the sea shimmering off both wingtips as Winair's Twin Otter drops you onto one of the Dutch Caribbean's most cinematic little runways.
The Experience
F. D. Roosevelt is less an airport than a friendly front porch to Statia. The 2021 terminal is bright, breezy and small enough that you'll go from wheels-down to fresh air in about ten minutes ΓÇö bags are trundled straight into the tiny arrivals hall, an officer stamps you in with a smile, and you're outside before the propellers have stopped spinning. Only STOL aircraft can handle the short 06/24 runway, so nearly every passenger arrives on a Winair Twin Otter from Sint Maarten (with seasonal Saba hops November through March). The vibe is unhurried, personal and unmistakably island: taxi drivers know most arrivals by name, staff often double as your first tourism ambassadors, and the whole place hums at 'Statia speed.'
What to Try
Grab a window seat on the left side flying in from SXM for the best view of the Quill volcano rising out of the sea. Once landed, linger a moment on the apron ΓÇö the panorama of the Caribbean framed by the runway cliffs is the island's unofficial welcome photo. Inside, the small snack bar is a good spot for a quick Carib beer or a bottle of water before your ride, and the ATM just outside the terminal is one of only a handful on the island, so it's smart to draw cash here.
Insider Tip
There is no public bus on Statia, so pre-arrange a taxi or hotel pickup before you fly in ΓÇö cell service can be slow to activate and drivers don't always wait at the curb. If you're traveling light and staying in Oranjestad, the walk into town is only about 1 km along a quiet road; it's a lovely way to start decompressing on island time.
The Practical Stuff
Location: Concordia, northern side of St. Eustatius, about 1 km / 5 minutes from Oranjestad. IATA: EUX / ICAO: TNCE. Airline: Winair (daily to/from Sint Maarten SXM; seasonal Saba service NovΓÇôMar). Terminal hours track scheduled flights, roughly 07:00ΓÇô17:00 daily. Facilities: small snack bar, restrooms, ATM outside, taxi stand. Bring your passport and any required Caribbean Netherlands entry paperwork; customs is quick but formal.
Pair It With
- Bacchanalia — A short drive from the terminal ΓÇö a relaxed spot to settle in with a first drink and local bite once you've dropped your bags.
- Baby Beach — An easy post-arrival detour on the island's south side if you land early and want to trade travel clothes for reef shoes.
- Aquarium - Dive Site — Statia's diving is world-class; book a check-out dive here to make the most of the day you fly in.
- A Quiet Getaway - One-Bedroom Apartment — A calm, close-to-town base that keeps your airport transfer short and simple on both ends of the trip.