✈️ BIG Changes Coming to Aruba’s Airport – Spring 2025 Update! 🇦🇼

🌟 Exciting times ahead at AUA! These upgrades are all about making your departure experience smoother and more efficient.

Heading to Aruba in April or May 2025? Here’s what you need to know about the new U.S. Departures Terminal at Queen Beatrix International Airport located in Oranjestad, Aruba! 

📅 Key Dates:

• April 8 – Soft opening for Delta, Southwest, United, and Spirit

• April 29 – Full transition begins with JetBlue and American Airlines

• End of May – All U.S.-bound flights expected to be operating from the new terminal

🔔 Travel Tip: During this transition, give yourself extra time at the airport—especially in April and early May—as travelers and staff adjust to the new terminal and systems.

🛫 Still flying American or JetBlue before April 29?

You’ll use the current terminal as usual—no changes just yet!

🧳 What’s New & What to Expect:

• New roadway for drop-off  in front of the new terminal

• Enter through Door A

• Use one of 30 brand-new kiosks to check in, weigh luggage, print luggage tags, and get your boarding pass

• Head to your airline’s check-in counter to drop off your bags and have your luggage tags activated.  If your bag is overweight, the system will automatically notify the agent once the tag is scanned. You’ll be able to pay for any overage on the spot—credit cards are accepted.

• Exit through Door B, turn right, and proceed to Access Control & Aruba Immigration

🔒 Security & Luggage Tips:

• No more reclaiming or re-dropping luggage after check-in at the new terminal!

• For now, there is still a second security screening until full operations are in place

🧳 Once fully operational:

               ✅ No second security screening

               ✅ No baggage drop after initial check-in

               ✅ One smooth, streamlined process

✈️ Behind the Scenes: Next-Level Baggage Tech

The new terminal features the BEUMER Group’s CrisBag® Tote-Based Independent Carrier System—a major tech upgrade making Queen Beatrix International Airport the first in the Caribbean and Latin America to implement this cutting-edge system.

Here’s what that means for your bags:

🔹 Can process 2,000 pieces of luggage per hour

🔹 Each bag is placed in its own individual tote with a unique ID

🔹 Your bag is tracked at every stage—weighed, scanned, and even photographed

🔹 All baggage is screened using an Explosive Detection System with TSA-approved technology

🔹 Includes radiation screening—a requirement for U.S. Customs & Border Protection pre-clearance

🔹 Bags are held in EBS (Early Baggage Storage) until you have cleared U.S. Customs

🔹 Once cleared, your bag is loaded directly onto your flight by the airline crew

This system not only adds efficiency and security but also gives you peace of mind, knowing your bag is fully traceable every step of the way.

While these upgrades will greatly improve the overall airport experience, lines may still occur, particularly at Immigration, due to ongoing staffing shortages. Aruba is actively working with immigration authorities to streamline the process and improve wait times. To help address the issue, the airport is currently testing six new e-gates on the immigration side, which are expected to speed up passenger processing once fully implemented.

Read more in depth info about the Aruba Airport HERE.

✨ I’ll be visiting the new terminal myself at the beginning of June 2025, so stay tuned for photos, tips, and as much video as I can get!

I know I’m super excited about this—anyone else? Let me know what you think in the comments below! ✈️🇦🇼⭐