Airport Overview
Witham Field (KSUA), also known as Martin County Airport, sits about 2 miles from downtown Stuart, Florida, at 16 feet above sea level. Owned and operated by Martin County, it is a busy general aviation airport with no scheduled airline service, serving the affluent Treasure Coast communities of Stuart, Sewall's Point, Jupiter Island, and Hobe Sound. A control tower, U.S. Customs on field, and two competing FBOs make it a practical, full-service entry point for private aviation.
Runway Capability
The primary runway, 12/30, measures 5,828 feet of asphalt and is served by an ILS to Runway 12 plus RNAV (GPS) approaches. It supports light jets through most super-midsize aircraft. Two crosswind runways, 16/34 at 5,000 feet and 7/25 at 4,653 feet, provide alignment options in shifting winds. Heavy and ultra-long-range jets should be planned individually; operators of those types often choose Palm Beach International nearby for its longer runway.
Charter Considerations
For charter from KSUA, round-trip itineraries avoid the empty-leg repositioning fee that one-way bookings can incur. The Jet Finder sources FAA Part 135 aircraft positioned near Stuart and checks for repositioning flights moving through the Treasure Coast to reduce or eliminate the empty-leg premium. With two FBOs on field, fuel and handling pricing is competitive, which helps on longer trips where ramp and fuel costs add up.
Customs & International Access
Witham Field has an on-field U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility, making it a convenient first point of entry for flights returning from the Bahamas and Caribbean. APP Jet Center sits immediately adjacent to the Customs building for fast turnarounds. Crews should still file eAPIS and coordinate CBP arrival times in advance, as hours are scheduled rather than 24/7.
Safety & Planning
The Jet Finder sources charter aircraft exclusively from FAA Part 135 certified operators, verifying certificates, audit history, and insurance before presenting any option from KSUA. With multiple intersecting runways and an active tower, crews should review current NOTAMs for runway availability. At 16 feet elevation, density altitude is rarely a limiting factor, though hot, humid summer afternoons still warrant standard performance checks.
Seasonal & Operational Factors
Peak demand runs November through April, when Northeast residents return to Jupiter Island and Hobe Sound and the spring polo season adds traffic. Summer brings near-daily afternoon thunderstorms between roughly 2 and 6 p.m.; early-morning departures offer the smoothest conditions. June through November is hurricane season, warranting close weather monitoring. A voluntary 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. noise curfew applies to most operations.
Regional Context
Witham Field is the closest private aviation airport to Jupiter Island, Hobe Sound, and the broader Treasure Coast, offering a quieter, faster experience than the region's commercial hub. Palm Beach International (PBI), about 30 nautical miles south, handles airline service and the heaviest jets with its 10,008-foot runway, while Treasure Coast International (FPR) in Fort Pierce and Vero Beach (VRB) sit to the north as additional general aviation options.