PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten recorded strong growth in both air and cruise passenger arrivals during the first quarter of 2026, with air passenger arrivals increasing by 23% and cruise visitor arrivals rising by 18% compared to the same period in 2025.
According to the Department of Statistics (STAT), total air passenger arrivals in Q1 2026 reached 314,765, an increase of 57,842 passengers compared to Q1 2025. Cruise visitor arrivals totalled 748,603 during the same period, up from 635,968 visitors recorded in Q1 2025.
STAT explained that all visitors, including post-immigration transfers, arriving at Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) are tracked as Air Passenger Arrivals. Due to St. Maarten’s hub status, some travellers continue on to nearby islands, including French St. Martin.
The department noted that the new digital immigration system has improved data accuracy, although limitations remain in distinguishing transfers, residents, and EU citizens, which impacts detailed statistics. STAT said the term “Air Passenger Arrivals” is now used to provide a broader and more accurate representation of air traffic and tourism movements through the airport.
North America, including the United States and Canada, remained St. Maarten’s main source market during the first quarter of 2026, accounting for 213,595 arrivals, or 67.9% of all arrivals.
The United States continued to be the largest individual market with 171,340 arrivals, representing 54.4% of total arrivals and approximately 80% of the North American market. The country averaged more than 57,000 passengers per month during the quarter.
The European Union ranked as the second-largest market with 76,790 arrivals, accounting for 24.4% of total arrivals in Q1 2026. France led the European market with 31,091 arrivals, representing 40.5% of EU arrivals and 9.9% of total arrivals overall. The Netherlands followed with 18,502 arrivals, accounting for 24.1% of EU arrivals and 5.9% of overall arrivals.
The Caribbean region recorded 9,946 arrivals, representing 3.2% of total arrivals and averaging more than 3,300 passengers per month.
Central and South America contributed 8,588 arrivals, or 2.7% of total arrivals, averaging more than 2,800 passengers monthly. The region also recorded an increase of approximately 1,700 passengers compared to Q1 2025.
Arrivals from the rest of the world totalled 5,846 passengers, accounting for 1.9% of total arrivals and averaging more than 1,900 passengers per month.
Cruise tourism also showed continued growth throughout the quarter. January 2026 recorded a 19% increase in cruise passenger arrivals compared to January 2025.
February 2026 saw a 16% increase in cruise passengers and approximately 30% more cruise ship calls than in the same month of the previous year. In March 2026, cruise passenger arrivals increased by 18% compared to March 2025, despite nearing the start of the traditional off-season. STAT reported that total cruise ship calls during Q1 2026 reached 316, representing an increase of 40 calls compared to Q1 2025. The Department of Statistics said a copy of the report will be published on the STAT website.
https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/air-passenger-arrivals-up-23-and-cruise-visitors-rise-18-in-q1-2026
