International and Regional Carriers Provide Target Dates to Resume SXM Commercial Service

Anyone who has ever been to Sint Maarten has also very likely been to the world renowned Maho Beach. Every time we go to the island with our family we always spend one afternoon watching the planes zipping over our heads and enjoying ice cold beverages at Sunset Beach Bar.

As you can see, our son loves watching the airplanes float by while nibbling on some french fries!

Of course, everything has changed at Maho Beach. The last photo I saw (below) there was no sand, only big rocks, on the beach. Not to mention, Sunset Beach Bar sustained some major damage as well.

There have been several airlines that have provided updates that include target dates to resume service to SXM. As you can imagine, St Maarten will get service from regional carriers before most international carriers resume their service to the island.

Here are the updates I have so far. I’ll provide further updates as I get them.

KLM Airlines

For a short time, KLM will no longer offer direct service between Amsterdam (AMS) and Sint Maarten. Beginning October 29, 2017, they will fly AMS-CUR (Curaçao). The airplane will depart CUR and stop at SXM. This flight will be offered twice weekly and will replace nonstop AMS-SXM service that was offered four times a week. They expect to resume direct service at some point in the near future.

Air France

Service offered by Air France will resume on October 29, 2017. There will be nonstop flights between Paris (CDG) and SXM two times a week.

American Airlines

American Airlines will reportedly resume service to SXM as soon as the airport reopens. They are currently selling seats on flights beginning October 5, 2017, but I have not seen any indication that the airport will be open by then. Hopefully.

Copa Airlines

Copa announced back on September 12, 2017 that they would resume operating to SXM beginning December 31, 2017. At this time, that’s all the information I have regarding Copa’s service so I assume it’s remained unchanged. I’ve inquired with them and will update you when/if I hear back.

WestJet Airlines

WestJet also announced on September 12, 2017, that they would resume service on October 29, 2017. I thought that might be off, so I checked with them and they confirmed that they will resume service beginning April 26, 2018.

Insel Air

Insel is ready to resume operations as soon as Princess Juliana International Airport is ready to open. They’ve been cancelling flights every few days. The latest flights they’ve cancelled were originally scheduled for this coming weekend.

Winair

Winair’s facilities were badly damaged during Hurricane Irma. They’re working to get everything back up and running, from corporate facilities to their airport operations facilities. They’ve provided over 60 relief flights since the hurricane hit.

Winair is in the process of reintroducing limited flights to Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Barth, Antigua and St. Kitts. They’re hopeful that will happen by October 1. If that happens then I’m assuming that means Princess Juliana International Airport will be open in at least a limited capacity. That’d be great if it happens by this weekend.

Tortola, Guadeloupe, Dominica and San Juan will be added once facilities and all approvals are granted for resumption of service. They are also working to start St. Maarten – Curacao – St. Maarten service to allow the public to connect with carriers serving Curacao, and will resume service to Haiti as soon as possible.

Winair has secured office space in Philipsburg to provide sales and reservation services to the public, and is expected to open on Wednesday October 4.

Facebook Comments

Jon Ferlise

I fell in love with the island of Saint Martin the first time I visited to celebrate my 40th birthday in May of 2009. Since then, I've spent most birthdays there, and have visited countless other times getting to know this wonderful place and the friendly locals that make it so special. I adore the culture, the people, the community, and the beauty of this stunning island. SXM Strong is a website that I started to support humanitarian relief efforts following Hurricane Irma. There was no plan, it just evolved as I witnessed the devastation that Irma caused the island and the huge need to communicate and disseminate information about what had happened and how people could help support this island and its people.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button

Sign Up!