Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 186
Situational Awareness; Distraction; Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Workload
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types
Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airport; Airspace Structure; Procedure
We were told to fly to the 10 DME fix off Runway 11 TNCA Aruba; expect visual approach. When we never received any clearance; we held at the 10 DME fix as instructed on the 10-9 back page tells to do. Could not get a word in with ATC. Finally they told us to turn right and do a 360 and then intercept the LOC.We started the turn; and when I looked out the window; we had a Hawker (small business jet) only one mile away and maybe only 500 feet below us. Captain stopped the turn and we let the Hawker fly away from us. Then we continued the approach. The Controllers did not have a clue where we or the Hawker were. At least 10 aircraft on the Tower freq; some speaking English; some speaking Spanish. Because of the non-radar environment down there; Crews should be high alert and watching for traffic on their own - not rely on ATC. Trust me; they had no clue]
An air carrier aircrew was unable to receive clearance to land at Aruba because of frequency congestion.  They entered a holding pattern IAW SOP.  They were then given a 360 degree turn; which they delayed because of traffic then intercepted the localizer and landed.