More than 381,000 arrivals registered in Suriname in 2025; KLM leading airline

This is evident from the first annual reports of the ICF programme, which were presented on Friday, October 16, 2026, at the Marriott Hotel in Paramaribo. The figures not only provide insight into passengers’ travel behaviour, but also play an important role in border surveillance, national security and the development of the tourism sector.

With the presentation of the Annual Incoming Statistics Report 2025 and the Annual Outgoing Statistics Report 2025, Suriname has for the first time a coherent statistical overview of registered international travel movements. The ICF programme, introduced in early 2025, focuses on the systematic collection, analysis and use of traveller information.

The data are intended to assist government agencies in improving border controls, identifying security risks and developing policy for, among other areas, tourism, immigration and aviation.

KLM tops list of airlines

A striking conclusion from the report is KLM’s dominant position in incoming passenger traffic to Suriname. According to the registration data, the Dutch airline transported the largest number of incoming travellers, followed by Surinam Airways (SLM) and other regional and international carriers.

According to the ICF annual report, KLM’s strong position can partly be explained by the frequency and reliability of the connection between Amsterdam and Paramaribo. International connecting options via Schiphol and travellers’ confidence also play a role.

SLM remains an important airline for Suriname, but according to the analysis faces challenges in terms of fleet capacity, operational continuity and international cooperation. Limited capacity and baggage connection options may affect the appeal of the national airline.

The findings indicate that travellers mainly take into account flight reliability, schedules and international connections when choosing an airline.

December busiest month for arriving travellers

The figures further show that international passenger traffic follows clear seasonal patterns. December was the busiest month for incoming passenger movements in 2025, while the highest number of outgoing movements was registered in August.

This information can be used to better align staffing levels and inspection capacity at airports and other border posts with busy travel periods.

The Netherlands remains one of Suriname’s most important travel connections. Family visits, the Surinamese diaspora, tourism and business activities play a major role in this.

Guyana, French Guiana and various destinations in the Caribbean and North and South America are also part of the international travel network.

Torarica Group most frequently listed as accommodation location

The annual reports also provide insight into the places where incoming travellers stay. Hotels and private homes are important accommodation categories.

According to the registration data, the Torarica Group, comprising Royal Torarica, Eco Torarica and Torarica Resort, is most frequently listed as an accommodation location. Courtyard by Marriott and various apartments also regularly appear in the data.

Other accommodations listed include City View Apartment, Ramada and Hotel Britos.

The information may be important for tourism development, as it provides a clearer picture of which accommodations visitors report and how different types of accommodation align with their travel purposes.

The reports do emphasise that these registrations do not provide a complete picture of actual hotel occupancy, market shares or the economic contribution of individual accommodations.

Traveller registration helps detect security risks

In addition to the statistical insights, the ICF programme has also contributed to identifying possible security risks, according to the information presented.

Since its introduction, reports have been processed relating to possible human trafficking, suspicious or forged travel documents, international alerts concerning wanted persons and travellers carrying sums of more than USD 10,000.

Reports concerning large sums of money in particular occupy an important place, according to the operational information.

By combining traveller data with available alerts, authorised agencies can carry out more targeted checks and identify possible risks earlier. The programme is thus intended to contribute to strengthening national security and guarding the country’s borders.

ICF Unit receives broader powers

An important development is the strengthening of the ICF Unit’s formal position. Since April 16, 2026, the unit has had a state decree and a decision from the Ministry of Justice and Security.

According to the information presented, this allows the unit to deny a traveller entry to Suriname or subject them to an additional check, also known as secondary inspection.

This may occur, among other circumstances, when a traveller appears in a relevant alert, additional verification is necessary or applicable admission requirements are not met.

The legal basis is intended to support the work of the ICF Unit at the various border and transit posts and ensure better follow-up of security alerts.

The programme must also contribute to Suriname’s efforts to comply with international aviation security standards, including those of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Data must improve policy and border management

With the first annual reports, the ICF programme aims to lay a foundation for further improving information provision surrounding international travel movements.

The data can be used for policy development in the areas of border management, immigration, aviation, tourism and national security.

The quality of registrations, cooperation between government agencies and further development of inspection processes remain important points of attention.

The authors point out that the figures may contain an estimated margin of error of around 2 percent. This is partly due to delayed reporting, differences in data entry and subsequent corrections.

The registered numbers should therefore primarily be regarded as an indication of the scale and development of passenger traffic. Moreover, they concern passenger movements and not necessarily an equal number of unique individuals.