Aruba Air Travel

Most of Aruba's visitors enjoy the convenience of air travel by flying into Aruba's state-of-the-art Queen Beatrix International Airport.

Served by airlines worldwide, and large enough to accommodate a Boeing 747 jet and 2.5 million passengers each year, this airport makes getting into Aruba almost as easy as relaxing on a beach. Both charter and commercial flights to Aruba are popular travel options.

Arrivals

At the end of the year 2000, Aruba expanded its airport services dramatically, making Queen Beatrix International Airport into a top-notch location for tourist flights. While at one time vacationers had to leave their planes and walk across the tarmac to the terminal, the entire way is now air-conditioned. Furthermore, Aruba is known for the efficiency of its Immigration and Customs desks. Some congestion is possible, however, if several flights into Aruba arrive at the same time. A word of caution: Drug-sniffing dogs are standard procedure in the airport. Don't be alarmed, but be aware.

Inside the terminal, vacationers will find both a bank and an ATM. There are a few small shops as you leave the airport, and more are located in the departures lounge. There is also talk of putting in restaurants and additional stores. Though no longer likely, there were also plans for a casino at one time.

Departures

Aruba's departure tax is no small item. The cost for the U.S. is $36.75 USD, but this is often included in the price of airline tickets. U.S. Passengers should check with their airline before leaving Aruba. The departure tax for all other destinations is $33.50 USD.

American visitors to Aruba should consider one more thing: Allow time before your departing flight to pass through U.S. Customs and Immigration. Though it may seem like a hassle at the time, this requirement is a time-saver that allows you to bypass the long lines for Customs services in American airports.

Airlines

While charter flights are as common as commercial flights to Aruba, especially during the high season, plenty of commercial airlines offer service to the island.

Airlines servicing the Caribbean from the United States:
Airline	Departure Location	Telephone Numbers(s)
American Airlines	Boston; Miami; New York; San Juan, Puerto Rico	800-433-7300
American Trans Air (ATA)	Chicago	800-I-FLY-ATA (800-435-9282)
Continental	Newark; Houston	800-525-0280
Delta Air Lines	Atlanta; New York	800-223-2365
United	Chicago; Washington, DC	800-538-2929
U.S. Airways	Boston; Charlotte; Philadelphia	800-428-4322

Airlines servicing Aruba from Canada, Europe, and the Americas:
Airline	Departure Location	Telephone Number(s)
Aerorepublica	Bogotá, Colombia	320-9090 (in Bogotá) 01-8000-917-766
Air Canada	N/A	800-776-300040 (U.S.) 800-363-54 (Canada)
Aserca Valencia	Venezuela	0-800-MIVUELO (0-800-6488356)
Avensa	Caracas, Venezuela; Maracaibo, Venezuela; Punto Fijo, Venezuela	976-4754 0212-976-5353
Avianca and Sam (Alianza Summa)	Bogotá, Colombia via Cura�ao, Baranquilla, and Medellín.	1-800-AVIANCA (1-800-284-2622)
K.L.M. Royal Dutch Airlines	Amsterdam, Holland; Germany via Amsterdam; Lima, Peru; Quito, Ecuador via Cura�ao; San Jose, Costa Rica via Cura�ao	800-374-7747

Charter airlines:
Company	Airline(s)	Telephone Number(s)
Air Canada Vacations	Air Canada	800-776-300040 (U.S.) 800-363-54 (Canada)
Flextour	American Airlines	800-433-7300
Holiday House	American Airlines	800-433-7300
Intair Vacations	American Airlines Delta Air Lines U.S. Airways	800-433-7300 800-223-2365 800-428-4322
Maxx Tours	Skyservice American Airlines	800-701-9448 800-433-7300
Sunquest/Alba Vacations	Skyservice	800-701-9448
Standard Tours	American Airlines	800-433-7300
Total Vacations	U.S. Airways (via Philadelphia and Charlotte)	800-428-4322

Travelers unfamiliar with an airline's reputation may wish to consult the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which carriers based on safety, service, and performance. Contact the FAA at:

800 Independence Ave. SW,
Washington, DC, 20591

or online at www.faa.gov.

You can also reach the FAA with the following concerns and questions:
Regulator	Telephone Number
Air Travel Service Problems	202-366-2220
Aviation Safety Hotline	800-255-1111
Aviation Consumer Protection Division	202-366-2220
Questions About FAA-monitored Consumer Issues	866-TELL-FAA (866-835-5322)
Transportation Security and Baggage Screeners Concerns	866-289-9673

Security

In the months after the attacks of September 11, 2001 both U.S. and Aruba airport officials tightened security regulations on flights. The Aruba Airport Authority (AAA) has published a list of items that are restricted from carry-on luggage due to possible dangers. While these items have legitimate uses under many circumstances, it has been proven that they can pose a threat and should be placed in checked baggage when necessary.

Items not approved for carry-on luggage by the AAA include:

Knives and other sharp objects
Flammable liquids, lighters, and matches
Personal care items including hair dryers, hair curlers, travel irons, electric toothbrushes, and electric razors
Spillable batteries (with the exception of those used to power wheelchairs)

The FAA has enhanced regulations for U.S. air carriers as well. FAA inspectors visiting Aruba expressed satisfaction with AAA's tightened security measures, which at times may be more restrictive than those of the FAA. The Aruba Civil Aviation Authority has been ranked as a Category 1 in accordance with international aviation standards. The FAA's own list of items not to be carried on to airplanes includes metal scissors and razors, but a complete list of regulated items may be obtained from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) with a website at www.tsa.gov/public/index.jsp or by phone at 1-866-289-9673 in the U.S.

Other carry-on rules are as follows:

Travelers are limited to one carry-on bag and one personal item. Such personal items include briefcases, purses, and laptop cases, though the laptop case must contain a laptop to be considered a private item.
Food or beverages carried through airports should be packed in carry on bags. If they are stowed in checked luggage it may set off some bomb-detection devices.
Travelers should avoid carrying wrapped gifts. Gifts may need to be unwrapped if they set off detection devices.

Travelers should also be aware that there are several kinds of new checkpoints where travelers and luggage can be screened. Additional security officers stationed at such checkpoints will personally search travelers who trigger the detector's alarm. Many airports also perform random passenger inspections, and this can include a complete search of the passenger and their belongings. These enhanced security measures mean travelers should plan to arrive at the airport one hour in advance of U.S. domestic flights and two hours in advance of international departures, sometimes earlier in busy airports. Some final advisories should help cut down on your time spent in checkpoints:

Metal objects such as steel-toed boots, heavy jewelry, or bulky belt buckles should not be worn; they may set off checkpoint detectors.
Have a doctor's note on hand if you have any metal surgical implants. Remember to bring your government-issued photo ID for security clearance.
On domestic flights children under 18 will not need an ID, but all adults must remember this.
For security reasons, non-ticketed travelers are restricted from passing through to the gates unless they are accompanying a young child, elderly, or disabled person.
As always, remember to confirm that your flight is on time before heading to the airport.

Island Hopping

Visitors who want to explore Aruba's neighboring islands must travel via airplane. Short island-hopping flights are available from Aruba to the nearby islands of Bonaire and Cura�ao. Since Aruba has a major international airport, connecting flights to other countries are also available.
Keeping these travel facts in mind will help to ensure that your Aruban airport experience is full of nothing but clear skies.

Take a Cruise to Aruba

A cruise can be a great alternative way of arriving in Aruba.