WILLEMSTAD – American Airlines once again transported the highest number of stayover tourists to Curaçao in March, reinforcing the growing dominance of the North American market in the island’s tourism sector.
According to figures from the Curaçao Tourist Board, the airline brought more than 13,000 passengers to the island, maintaining a significant lead over KLM, which carried nearly 9,500 travelers during the same period.
This marks the second consecutive year that American Airlines has held the top position. The broader trend shows continued growth among U.S.-based carriers, contributing to a total of nearly 80,000 stayover visitors in March—an increase of 10 percent compared to the same month last year.
While KLM recorded modest growth of around 3 percent, it is gradually losing market share to its American competitors. Other airlines, including Copa Airlines and Air Canada, also reported strong growth figures.
In total, airlines from the United States and Canada—such as American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, Air Canada, and WestJet—brought more than 30,000 tourists to Curaçao in March. This accounts for nearly 40 percent of all stayover visitors during the month.
The data highlights a clear shift in Curaçao’s tourism landscape, with North America increasingly becoming the primary source market for visitors. Industry observers say this trend underscores the importance of air connectivity with the United States and Canada as the island continues to expand its international tourism reach.