Like everyone else who loves this Island, I’m glad they were able to reopen and get the airport functioning as soon as they did since the life blood of the island depends tremendously on its ports but, IMHO, ............tents and temporary structures are NOT going to do the Island any favors long term.

The most lasting travel impressions for most vacationers are their first and last experiences and sadly, they are the ones that currently need a lot of room for improvement. Most long-timers and repeat visitors will be happy just to be there, but new-comers and first-timers will be appalled and most will be lacking the comprehension of what had recently happened across the Island (and to what degree!) to be patiently tolerant of the current situations.

As long as there is only one big plane at a time things might be okay, but I can’t imagine the chaos of three or four fully packed arrivals or departures all at approximately the same time frame and all those people milling around with their luggage and trying to cope with getting to their cabs, cars or vans or the various departure check-points.

There are many beautiful Caribbean islands with great resorts and beautiful beaches along with airports that make their access easy and welcoming. Sadly not the case right now on St. Maarten, and unfortunately, these are the memories too many newcomers are most apt to carry away with them.

It is imperative the terminal structures be repaired (or rebuilt?) and reopened ASAP and to fail to do so will continue to give the Island a big black eye to too many visitors.