Aviation History
Aruba is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and its aviation history developed alongside Dutch colonial and KLM-led networks, with commercial flights beginning in the 1930s and a US military airstrip built during World War II evolving into today's Queen Beatrix International Airport. Aruba's own flag carrier, Air Aruba, operated from 1988 until its 2000 bankruptcy; since then the island has relied on a succession of smaller regional carriers such as Tiara Air (2006-2016) and Aruba Airlines, alongside major international airlines serving its tourism-driven market.
US Navy flying boats made Aruba's earliest recorded aircraft landings.
KLM introduced scheduled Fokker tri-motor flights, beginning Aruba's scheduled aviation age under Dutch colonial administration.
The US Army constructed a wartime airstrip, inaugurated 4 June 1942, that became the predecessor of today's international airport.
The airport was dedicated to Princess (later Queen) Beatrix of the Netherlands during a royal visit on 22 October 1955.
The first jet aircraft landed at the airport on 10 April 1964 following runway modernization.
Aruba's own flag carrier began commercial flights on 18 August 1988 to the ABC islands and Caracas.
Rising operating costs forced Air Aruba into bankruptcy, ending service on 23 October 2000.
A new Aruba-based carrier began operations in April 2006, expanding regional links before going bankrupt in 2016.
Air Aruba (defunct, 1988-2000) · Tiara Air (defunct, 2006-2016) · Aruba Airlines
Wikipedia, Aruba Airport Authority, When in Aruba