No injuries reported after WestJet flight makes hard landing in St. Maarten

On Sunday, September 7, 2025, a WestJet flight from Toronto experienced a hard landing at Princess Juliana International Airport in St. Maarten, located on the Dutch side of the Caribbean island. The incident occurred at approximately 1:29 p.m. local time when flight WS2276, a Boeing 737-800, reportedly bounced on landing, leading to complications upon touch down. Emergency services promptly responded to the situation, spraying foam around the aircraft as a precautionary measure to mitigate potential fire hazards. Passengers and crew were evacuated safely onto the runway using emergency slides. Following the incident, all individuals aboard were accounted for, and remarkably, no injuries were reported. The evacuation process was handled efficiently as fire crews surrounded the aircraft and foam covered the tarmac to ensure safety during the emergency measures taken. The Prime Minister of St. Maarten, Luc Mercelina, stated that local authorities, fire crews, the Civil Aviation Authority, and contractors were engaged in efforts to safely remove the aircraft from the runway. The runway had to be closed temporarily as various safety measures were activated to ensure no risk to other aircraft and personnel at the airport. Although the landing incident was alarming, it was noted that immediate action helped avert what could have been a more serious situation. The deployment of emergency slides allowed for a quick evacuation, thereby aiding the safety of all those on board. According to WestJet, they were cooperating with local authorities to ascertain the precise factors contributing to the hard landing. Officials detailed that an investigation was underway to understand the aircraft's landing performance and the circumstances surrounding the incident. As St. Maarten's airport is popular for its challenging landing conditions, there may be additional considerations involved in the investigation. Despite the difficulties faced during the emergency landing, the overall response by emergency crews and the orderly evacuation conducted by the airline personnel contributed to a positive outcome, with no injuries reported. The efficiency of the emergency response not only secured the safety of the passengers and crew but also served to underscore the importance of preparedness in aviation emergencies. The airport officials have ensured strict adherence to protocols for the safe removal of the aircraft and resuming normal operations at Princess Juliana International Airport as expediently and safely as possible.