Fokker 50 plane takes off right at airport right next to beach and it causes absolute chaos with the beachgoers recording it
Published on Apr 22, 2026 at 8:36 PM (UTC+4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Apr 22, 2026 at 8:36 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
It was absolute pandemonium for these beachgoers when a Fokker 50 plane took off right next to them.
This takeoff took place at Princess Juliana International Airport in the Caribbean island of St. Maarten.
It’s already a little unusual for an airport to be right next to a beach.
But after watching this video, there’ll be little doubt left in your mind about how wild this whole setup really is.
This is a day at the beach with a difference – a Fokker 50 plane is right there
This airport has frequently been cited as one of the most challenging – and unorthodox – in the world.
Named Princess Juliana International Airport, it originally opened as a US Air Force airbase in 1942.
Approaches to the airport are incredibly low because the runway is so close to the sea.
At the other end of the runway are tall mountains, meaning takeoffs are quite aggressive.
Now, you don’t need to be an aviation expert to know that this isn’t an ideal setup.
While people certainly enjoy watching the planes come into land, it’s not always without consequences – being blown away is at the top of that list.
Case in point, this unbelievable video uploaded to YouTube back in 2017 by Patrick Hanson.
Beachgoers were shown scrambling into position to film this Fokker 50 plane as it prepared to take off.
As momentum built, wind began to pick up, and the beachgoers were left falling over themselves.
Bags and other items were also caught up in the crosswinds, with many of them ending up in the sea.
It was total chaos.
We can only imagine how many people ended up with sand in their eyes.
There’s a lot of unusual airports around the world
We’re used to going to standard airports that don’t deviate too much from the norm.
But there are plenty of airports around the world that are…off the beaten track, shall we say.
This airport in Japan is sinking bit by bit.
Down in Indonesia, the Domine Eduard Osok Airport is notable for having no fencing, meaning it’s totally accessible for anybody to walk onto.
One thing is for sure – you would never forget flying into these airports.
Following stints at LadBible, The Sun, The New York Post, and the Daily Mail, Ben joined the team full-time in February 2025. In his role as Senior Content Writer, his sparkling copy, the ability to sniff out a good story at 100 paces, and a GSOH quickly led to him becoming an integral and invaluable member of the writing staff.
