Operations are going smoothly at Princess Juliana Airport in
St. Maarten since its reopening to commercial flights on Oct. 10, according to
Rolando Brison, St. Maarten's director of tourism.
"We have large canopies in the waiting area after
departing passengers go through the security procedures," Brison said. "From
there they are bused to the planes on the tarmac. Arriving passengers clear immigration,
pick up their bags in a holding area because our baggage carousels are not yet
working, they exit and taxis are waiting for them."
Current service includes a daily flight from Miami on
American, a daily flight from Atlanta on Delta, and two flights a day on
Seaborne from San Juan.
"We expect JetBlue to start with two flights a week
from JFK on Nov. 1," the director said, adding that carriers will ramp up
their schedules gradually, based on travel demand.
Airport repairs, which are being done in phases, should be
completed by next June.
"Flights continue to be a daytime operation, although
we expect to have the runway lights operating by Nov. 15 to allow for nighttime
landings and takeoffs," Brison said.
The curfew has ended in St. Maarten although a dusk-to-dawn
curfew remains in effect on French St. Martin.
"Every day we see more restaurants and shops reopening,
especially in Philipsburg. All roads are now accessible, car rentals are
available, the beaches are open and the island is beginning to green up again,"
he said.
Close to 30% of room inventory now is available. St. Maarten
before Hurricane Irma had 4,000 guestrooms, including hotels and timeshare
units.
"We expect to be at 50% of inventory by March,"
Brison said.
The cruise port reopens Nov. 5 with a visit from Royal
Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas. Cruise ships are expected daily after that,
with calls by Carnival and MSC Cruises, among others.
Minister of tourism Melissa Arrindell-Doncher said there
will be activities for cruise passengers, including Segway tours, dining, shopping
and tour buses to local attractions and beaches.
Most of the island has had power and water restored.
"We are open now but visitors have to realize we have
come through an enormous, powerful storm and the island is in the midst of
recovery. Those who have been to St. Maarten before will certainly see a
difference, but we are well on our way toward full recovery. I see progress
from one day to the next," Arrindell-Doncher said.
By February or March, "We will have a very nice tourism
product to offer to our visitors," she said.
On schedule is the annual Heineken Regatta, March 1-4, and a
music festival, March 14-18.