So far I don't see the story in the online version, but the full version of the Daily Herald today says that tourism officials are to meet with Southwest officials in October. Talks are supposed to hopefully result in SW flights from Ft Lauderdale to SXM in 2018.

This would be so awesome. I'm not paying $700 RT from MiA as advertised for this August travel. Going to Bahamas instead.

AA prices from Florida have been out of sight recently.

seems like ALL flights out of florida have been out of sight...and not just to the islands. looking into going to California next month or july....prices way higher than they ever have been. It is cheaper to fly out of everywhere else but florida this year. PLEASE SOUTHWEST...make it happen to SXM.....

Hi. That's an older story, not a link to the one from today's paper.

I can't image Aruba's hotel tax rate is 22%. SXM does have a fairly low hotel tax rate compared to other resort area's and cities. Some Dutch hotels might have to back off of their 15% service charge a bit to make up for it. Hopefully the money will be used for real improvements.

Online version

Southwest may be waiting for customs pre clearance in SXM so they don't have to deal with customs at Ft. Lauderdale4 hub.

rumor had southwest AND JetBlue possibly flying to SXM from Fort Lauderdale. Having two different airlines should finally bring down the cost of a ticket....I hope!! Last month was the most expensive we ever had to pay....at least Four Hundred extra bucks than any other year for the two of us.