Willemstad/Hato International Airport is located only a few miles from the city of Willemstad, the capital of Curacao, which is part of the Netherlands Antilles, Dutch Caribbean. It is a first-class world airport, with frequent international flights to Europe, the Caribbean, North and South America. The facility is operated by the Curacao Airport Partners consortium, or CAP. Because of its strategic location, the airport serves a roll in the transshipment of raw and manufactured goods between South America and Europe.
There are approximately 350,000 passenger arrivals and departures annually at Curaçao International Airport. Major destinations include Amsterdam, Aruba, Caracas, and Miami. Alongside the airport is the HATO Coast Guard installation, which is home to a number of patrol aircraft for the Netherlands Antilles. The United States also has a small Forward Operating Base at the far west end of the airport grounds.
Willemstad/Hato International Airport main runway, at 11,187 ft., is the second longest in the entire Caribbean. It sits at an elevation of 29 ft. above sea level, and only hundreds of feet from the coast.
Dutch Antilles Express and Insel Air are the two airlines that are considered to have hubs in Curacao. The airport is also served by American Airlines, Continental, GOL, KLM, and others. The airport itself has undergone renovation and expansion due to the increase in tourism; Curacao attracts many visitors interested in the unique culture of the island, as well as its distinctive building architecture.
Inside Willemstad/Hato International Airport main terminal hall are a number of fine shops and restaurants, as well as a professionally staffed Customer Information Desk, duty free stores, and ATMs. Antillean Guilders and US Dollars are the accepted currency at Curacao International Airport. There are approximately 300 parking spaces directly in front of the terminal, and several well known car rental agencies have offices in the main terminal area. Local buses run continuously from the airport to the central business district of Willemstad. The small size of the island of Curacao makes for quite easy access to and from the airport.
Willemstad/Hato International Airport charges a departure fee of about $32 USD for international flights, included in ticket prices. This is in accordance with current regulatory agreements between CAP and the Netherlands Antilles. The airport has a full security program similar to other international departure ports, with passenger and luggage screening, customs declarations, and passport control. The airport is known for its overall efficiency and on-time departures.
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