Above: private jets parked at Princess Juliana International Airport in St Maarten (Photo: SXM Airport)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

St Martin’s Princess Juliana International Airport is seeing an increase in private jet traffic and demand, according to Michel Hyman, operations manager at SXM airport.

“Every year, there is an increase in requests to park private jets at Princess Juliana International Airport, and this year has seen even more than last year,” he said in a release. ‘Unfortunately, due to limited space, we can only accommodate so much and no more.”

Planes are also getting bigger and bigger — although none is as large as the private Boeing 767-300 owned by Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich.

“His is the biggest,” Hyman said.

SXM currently sees the second-most general aviation of any airport in the Caribbean, behind the Bahamas, with plans to increase its market share and eventually expand its current facilities.