FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQ – When will the airport be welcoming passengers back to Aruba?

We have been forced to think outside the box, re-consider strategies, redefine our core missions during the last few weeks and our team of dynamic and dedicated colleagues have come up with ideas that will allow us to rise up strong again.

Effective April 19, 2020 (0:00 hrs UTC-4) up to and including May 31, 2020, it is prohibited to transport passengers by air to Aruba. Exemption hereto applies only to legal residents of Aruba on flights that are approved by the Department of Civil Aviation of Aruba. There are no travel restrictions in place for passengers departing from Aruba and there are no travel restrictions in place for duty airlines crew for flight planning purposes.

On May 8, 2020 the Government of Aruba announced a tentative re-opening of the borders for inbound travel. As of now this is scheduled to be between June 15 and July 1, 2020. The aforementioned re-opening target date is subject to change as we may consider additional precautionary measures as needed. Our airline partners have communicated that they are willing and able to start off again as soon as the border is opened. We have received tentative flight schedules from most of our airline partners. THESE ARE AVAILABLE HERE.

We want to take this opportunity to answer the most frequently asked question: When will the airport be welcoming passengers back again? The answer is simple: We don’t know yet. The Government of Aruba did announce a tentative date to open the border, but when we will actually welcome our first commercial passenger again is also up to our airline partners to decide.

Please bear in mind, the health and safety of our passengers and our employees are our ultimate priority in our approach in facing this unprecedented situation. As soon as the border is officially open again, we will be one of the first ones to share this much-anticipated announcement on our website and social media platforms. In the meantime, AUA airport remains open to facilitate relief/repatriation flights, cargo flights and emergency/ambulance flights only.

OTHER FAQ’s

When will the airport be open?

The airport is open and operational to facilitate relief/repatriation flights, cargo flights and emergency/ambulance flights only. Due to the Government implemented preventive measures there is a travel restriction in place on commercial flights until May 31, 2020. As a result, the airlines have canceled their flights to/from Aruba for now. As soon as the border is open again definitively to all commercial passengers, the airlines will than decide when they will start operations back to/from Aruba. We do have a tentative airline startup schedule on our website, but as you may well understand these will change if/when the restrictions change too.

Is it true that AUA Airport will open again until in December?

This is not the case as yet. The airport is open and operational to facilitate relief/repatriation flights, cargo flights and emergency/ambulance flights only. Due to the Government implemented preventive measures there is a travel restriction in place on commercial flights until May 31, 2020. As a result, the airlines have canceled their flights to/from Aruba for now. As soon as the border is open again to all commercial passengers, the airlines will than decide when they will start operations back to/from Aruba. We do have a tentative airline startup schedule on our website, but as you may well understand these will change if/when the restrictions change too.

By when can I book tickets to Aruba?

We cannot advise on this, as this is a personal matter that should be discussed with your airline of choice. As soon as Aruba opens its borders again to commercial passengers, Aruba will be more than ready to welcome everyone again with open arms. But it will be up to the airlines to decide when they will start their operations back to/from Aruba after this announcement. Each airline has its own booking policy in place now due to the worldwide crisis.

I have booked my ticket for April/May/June/July, should I cancel it?

Each airline has its own cancellation policy in place. As we cannot guarantee an official restart date for commercial operations, we simply cannot advise other than to remain in contact with your airline of choice.

We have tickets, hotel and car reservations made, who will pay for these in case we’re not allowed to travel to Aruba?

Please be in contact with your airline, hotel, and/or car rental company of choice to discuss this matter. Each company has their own policy in place due to the worldwide crisis.

When do you think that I should cancel my flight to Aruba?

Each airline has its own cancellation policy in place. Please contact your airline of choice to discuss what the best option for you can be.

I have a flight departing from Aruba. Will I be able to leave, or is the travel restriction in Aruba for people trying to come in AND leave the island? 

The travel restriction is applicable to arriving commercial passengers only. But, as long as there are no incoming commercial flights there are also no outgoing flights. We do have a tentative airline startup schedule on our website, but as you may well understand these will change if/when the restrictions change too. Therefor it’s essential to remain in contact with your airline of choice.

I am stuck in Aruba and need to get back home. Can I book a ticket as I am a departing passenger?

The travel restriction is indeed applicable to arriving commercial passengers only. But, as long as there are no incoming commercial flights there are also no outgoing flights. We do have a tentative airline startup schedule on our website, but as you may well understand these will change if/when the restrictions change too. Therefor it’s essential to remain in contact with your airline of choice. Should you need a relief flight, please contact the Embassy of your country of residence.

Will the airport open on June 1, 2020 for commercial scheduled operations?

AUA will be ready, but it is up to the Government of Aruba and the airlines to determine. AUA Airport has started planning for a restart on whichever date this actually will be as per the guidelines and measures of the Government of Aruba. AUA Aiport is aiming to in any case be ready for a restart as per June 1, 2020. A lot of new guidelines, processes, measures and any other facility activities need to be in place to be able to restart under the new way of operating an airport in a social distancing environment. As such ample time is needed to prepare and we want to do so these coming weeks in order to be able to restart on June 1, 2020 in case government travel restrictions are adjusted or lifted allowing for commercial scheduled operations once again.