Today’s report that JetBlue is resuming service from New York to Princess Juliana International Airport SXM per November 1 is obviously most welcome. After all, the Northeastern seaboard of the US has always been the destination’s prime source market.
That the flights will be only twice-weekly for now is completely understandable under the present circumstances. After Christmas is actually when the high season really takes off, so going back to daily service in January seems sensible enough.
The flights are also direct, which is important for tourism. Visitors usually don’t like to have to stop or – worse – change planes in other places, especially if they’re going on holiday.
The American carrier also still intends to launch a connection from Fort Lauderdale. This would greatly enhance travel options for that and other parts of the US as well.
The good news comes after KLM announced it would not return to St. Maarten on October 29 as planned (see Thursday paper), but rather November 12. Many were disappointed, but it apparently has to do with SXM currently not yet being quite able to handle wide-body jets like the ones used by both KLM and Air France.
In general, the recovery of airlift appears to be progressing in a satisfactory manner, considering what the island has been through. That is crucial to getting the economy going again and those involved deserve credit for a job well done in making it happen.
