Nonstop flight route between Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, Kingdom of the Netherlands and Nukuʻalofa, Tongatapu, Tonga:
Departure Airport:
(18°2'26"N by 63°6'33"W)
Arrival Airport:
(21°14'27"S by 175°8'57"W)
Distance from SXM to TBU:
8,043.04 miles (12,943.98 km)
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- About this route
- SXM Airport Information
- TBU Airport Information
- Facts about SXM
- Facts about TBU
- Map of Nearest Airports to SXM
- List of Nearest Airports to SXM
- Map of Furthest Airports from SXM
- List of Furthest Airports from SXM
- Map of Nearest Airports to TBU
- List of Nearest Airports to TBU
- Map of Furthest Airports from TBU
- List of Furthest Airports from TBU
About this route:
A direct, nonstop flight between Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM), Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, Kingdom of the Netherlands and Fuaʻamotu International Airport (TBU), Nukuʻalofa, Tongatapu, Tonga would travel a Great Circle distance of 8,043 miles (or 12,944 kilometers).
A Great Circle is the shortest distance between 2 points on a sphere. Because most world maps are flat (but the Earth is round), the route of the shortest distance between 2 points on the Earth will often appear curved when viewed on a flat map, especially for long distances. If you were to simply draw a straight line on a flat map and measure a very long distance, it would likely be much further than if you were to lay a string between those two points on a globe. Because of the large distance between Princess Juliana International Airport and Fuaʻamotu International Airport, the route shown on this map most likely appears curved because of this reason.
Try it at home! Get a globe and tightly lay a string between Princess Juliana International Airport and Fuaʻamotu International Airport. You'll see that it will travel the same route of the red line on this map!
Departure Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | SXM / TNCM |
| Airport Name: | Princess Juliana International Airport |
| Location: | Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, Kingdom of the Netherlands |
| GPS Coordinates: | 18°2'26"N by 63°6'33"W |
| Operator/Owner: | Princess Juliana Int'l Airport Holding Company N.V. |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 14 feet (4 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 1 |
| View all routes: | Routes from SXM |
| More Information: | SXM Maps & Info |
Arrival Airport Information:
| IATA / ICAO Codes: | TBU / NFTF |
| Airport Name: | Fuaʻamotu International Airport |
| Location: | Nukuʻalofa, Tongatapu, Tonga |
| GPS Coordinates: | 21°14'27"S by 175°8'57"W |
| Area Served: | Nukuʻalofa, Tonga |
| Operator/Owner: | Ministry of Civil Aviation |
| Airport Type: | Public |
| Elevation: | 126 feet (38 meters) |
| # of Runways: | 2 |
| View all routes: | Routes from TBU |
| More Information: | TBU Maps & Info |
Facts about Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM):
- The closest airport to Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) is L'Espérance Airport Grand Case Airport (CCE), which is located only 6 miles (9 kilometers) NE of SXM.
- Since official opening of the new control tower, PJIA air traffic controllers have two radar systems at their disposal with ranges of 50 nautical miles and 250 nautical miles.
- Because the approach to Runway 10 is over water, pilots can become disoriented regarding their perceived altitude when operating under visual flight rules.
- In 1994, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and France signed the Franco-Dutch treaty on Saint Martin border controls, which allows for joint Franco-Dutch border controls on so-called "risk flights".
- To accommodate the growing international and local traffic of private aircraft, PJIA has a Fixed Base Operator building, offering office space and private lounges with dedicated customs.
- The furthest airport from Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) is Karratha Airport (KTA), which is nearly antipodal to Princess Juliana International Airport (meaning Princess Juliana International Airport is almost on the exact opposite side of the Earth from Karratha Airport), and is located 12,252 miles (19,718 kilometers) away in Karratha / Dampier, Western Australia, Australia.
- Because of Princess Juliana International Airport's relatively low elevation of 14 feet, planes can take off or land at Princess Juliana International Airport at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
- Because of increased passenger traffic and the expected growth of passenger traffic in the near future, Princess Juliana International Airport is being heavily modernized following a three-phased masterplan, commissioned in 1997.
- Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) currently has only 1 runway.
Facts about Fuaʻamotu International Airport (TBU):
- The furthest airport from Fuaʻamotu International Airport (TBU) is Aguenar – Hadj Bey Akhamok Airport (TMR), which is nearly antipodal to Fuaʻamotu International Airport (meaning Fuaʻamotu International Airport is almost on the exact opposite side of the Earth from Aguenar – Hadj Bey Akhamok Airport), and is located 12,322 miles (19,830 kilometers) away in Tamanrasset, Algeria.
- Fuaʻamotu International Airport (TBU) has 2 runways.
- The closest airport to Fuaʻamotu International Airport (TBU) is Lifuka Island Airport (HPA), which is located 114 miles (183 kilometers) NNE of TBU.
- Because of Fuaʻamotu International Airport's relatively low elevation of 126 feet, planes can take off or land at Fuaʻamotu International Airport at a lower air speed than at airports located at a higher elevation. This is because the air density is higher closer to sea level than it would otherwise be at higher elevations.
- There is no public bus service to the airport, but several hostels and hotels in Nukuʻalofa meet flights and taxis are available.
- Under Tongan law, Fuaʻamotu International Airport is closed on Sundays — only to be opened in distress, after the minister's approval.
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 5.73 miles (9.22 km) NE | L'Espérance Airport Grand Case Airport (CCE) | Saint Martin, Guadeloupe |     |
| 2 | 11.87 miles (19.11 km) NNE | Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport (AXA) | The Valley, Anguilla | |
| 3 | 19.83 miles (31.92 km) ESE | Gustaf III Airport Saint Barthélemy Airport St. Jean Airport (SBH) | Gustavia, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Barthélemy | |
| 4 | 28.27 miles (45.50 km) SSW | Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport (SAB) | Saba, Caribbean Netherlands | |
| 5 | 38.58 miles (62.08 km) SSE | F.D. Roosevelt Airport (EUX) | Sint Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands | |
| 6 | 56.59 miles (91.07 km) SSE | Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport (SKB) | Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis | |
| 7 | 67.09 miles (107.97 km) SSE | Vance W. Amory International Airport (NEV) | Nevis, Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis | |
| 8 | 88.87 miles (143.03 km) ESE | Barbuda Codrington Airport (BBQ) | Codrington, Barbuda, Antigua and Barbuda | |
| 9 | 90.93 miles (146.34 km) WNW | Virgin Gorda Airport (VIJ) | Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands | |
| 10 | 98.14 miles (157.94 km) WNW | Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS) | Beef Island (near Tortola), British Virgin Islands | |
| 11 | 105.36 miles (169.55 km) SE | John A. Osborne Airport (MNI) | Montserrat, British Overseas Territories, United Kingdom | |
| 12 | 106.85 miles (171.96 km) W | Christiansted Harbor Seaplane Base (SSB) | Christiansted, Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands | |
| 13 | 106.86 miles (171.98 km) SE | V. C. Bird International Airport (ANU) | St. John's, Antigua, Antigua and Barbuda | |
| 14 | 113.68 miles (182.95 km) WSW | Henry E. Rohlsen International Airport (STX) | Christiansted, Saint Croix, United States Virgin Islands | |
| 15 | 121.96 miles (196.28 km) W | Charlotte Amalie Harbor Seaplane Base (SPB) | Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 12,252.07 miles (19,717.74 km) S | Karratha Airport (KTA) | Karratha / Dampier, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 2 | 12,239.58 miles (19,697.64 km) SW | Port Hedland International Airport (PHE) | Port Hedland, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 3 | 12,218.93 miles (19,664.41 km) SSE | Barrow Island Airport (BWB) | Barrow Island, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 4 | 12,171.40 miles (19,587.93 km) SSW | Coolawanyah Station Airport (COY) | Coolawanyah Station, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 5 | 12,140.18 miles (19,537.67 km) S | Solomon Airport (SLJ) | Karijini National Park, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 6 | 12,105.58 miles (19,482.00 km) S | Tom Price Airport (TPR) | Tom Price, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 7 | 12,094.71 miles (19,464.50 km) SSE | RAAF Learmonth (LEA) | Exmouth, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 8 | 12,086.03 miles (19,450.53 km) W | Broome International Airport (BME) | Broome, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 9 | 12,084.40 miles (19,447.91 km) SSW | Barimunya Airport (BYP) | Barimunya, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 10 | 12,078.03 miles (19,437.65 km) S | Paraburdoo Airport (PBO) | Paraburdoo, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 11 | 12,074.69 miles (19,432.28 km) SSW | Coondewanna Airport (CJF) | Coondewanna, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 12 | 12,020.39 miles (19,344.89 km) SSW | Newman Airport (ZNE) | Newman, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 13 | 11,988.82 miles (19,294.08 km) W | Derby Airport (DRB) | Derby, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 14 | 11,920.97 miles (19,184.89 km) SSE | Carnarvon Airport (CVQ) | Carnarvon, Western Australia, Australia | |
| 15 | 11,867.54 miles (19,098.90 km) W | Fitzroy Crossing Airport (FIZ) | Fitzroy Crossing, Western Australia, Australia | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 113.90 miles (183.31 km) NNE | Lifuka Island Airport (HPA) | Lifuka, Ha'apai, Tonga | |
| 2 | 364.62 miles (586.80 km) NW | Cicia Airport (ICI) | Cicia, Fiji | |
| 3 | 367.99 miles (592.23 km) WNW | Moala Airport (MFJ) | Moala, Moala Islands, Fiji | |
| 4 | 370.23 miles (595.82 km) ENE | Niue International Airport (IUE) | Alofi, Niue | |
| 5 | 393.03 miles (632.51 km) N | Mata'aho Airport (NFO) | Niuafo'ou, Tonga | |
| 6 | 444.62 miles (715.54 km) NW | Koro Airport (KXF) | Koro Island, Fiji | |
| 7 | 459.57 miles (739.60 km) WNW | Vunisea Airport (KDV) | Vunisea, Kadavu Island, Fiji | |
| 8 | 465.13 miles (748.55 km) WNW | Suva International Airport (SUV) | Suva / Nausori, Viti Levu, Fiji | |
| 9 | 465.70 miles (749.47 km) WNW | Levuka Airfield (LEV) | Bureta, Ovalau Island, Fiji | |
| 10 | 488.42 miles (786.03 km) NW | Labasa Airport (LBS) | Labasa, Fiji | |
| 11 | 515.76 miles (830.04 km) NNW | Aéroport de Futuna - Pointe-Vele Pointe Vele Airport (FUT) | Futuna Island, Wallis and Futuna Islands | |
| 12 | 539.09 miles (867.58 km) WNW | Nadi International Airport (NAN) | Nadi, Fiji | |
| 13 | 551.98 miles (888.32 km) NNE | Maota (Salelologa) Airport (MXS) | Maota, Samoa | |
| 14 | 552.24 miles (888.74 km) NNE | Faleolo International Airport (APW) | Apia, Upolu Island, Samoa | |
| 15 | 555.29 miles (893.65 km) N | Wallis Island (WLS) | Wallis and Futuna Islands | |
| Rank | Distance & Direction | Airport Name & IATA Code | Airport Location | Further Actions |
| 1 | 12,321.72 miles (19,829.83 km) NNW | Aguenar – Hadj Bey Akhamok Airport (TMR) | Tamanrasset, Algeria | |
| 2 | 12,306.90 miles (19,805.99 km) NNW | In Guezzam Airport (INF) | In Guezzam, Algeria | |
| 3 | 12,201.76 miles (19,636.78 km) NW | Arlit Airport (RLT) | Arlit, Niger | |
| 4 | 12,184.07 miles (19,608.31 km) E | Bordj Mokhtar Airport (BMW) | Bordj Badji Mokhtar, Algeria | |
| 5 | 12,076.93 miles (19,435.89 km) NW | Mano Dayak International Airport (AJY) | Agadez, Niger | |
| 6 | 12,075.73 miles (19,433.96 km) NW | Djanet Tiska Airport (DJG) | Djanet, Algeria | |
| 7 | 12,005.93 miles (19,321.62 km) NW | Ghat Airport (GHT) | Ghat, Libya | |
| 8 | 11,996.67 miles (19,306.72 km) N | Tahoua Airport (THZ) | Tahoua, Niger | |
| 9 | 11,996.25 miles (19,306.04 km) NNE | In Salah Airport (INZ) | In Salah, Algeria | |
| 10 | 11,968.40 miles (19,261.22 km) NE | Gao International Airport (GAQ) | Gao, Mali | |
| 11 | 11,890.59 miles (19,136.01 km) NE | Tambao Airport (TMQ) | Tambao, Burkina Faso | |
| 12 | 11,882.02 miles (19,122.21 km) NE | Touat-Cheikh Sidi Mohamed Belkebir Airport (AZR) | Adrar, Algeria | |
| 13 | 11,881.53 miles (19,121.43 km) NNW | Maradi Airport (MFQ) | Maradi, Niger | |
| 14 | 11,878.41 miles (19,116.40 km) NNW | In Amenas Airport (IAM) | In Amenas, Algeria | |
| 15 | 11,872.34 miles (19,106.64 km) NNE | Diori Hamani International Airport (NIM) | Niamey, Niger | |