Airport Going into Hibernation

DAILY HERALD ARTICLE

Planning on two different scenarios, a 2 month shut down or a 6 month "hibernation".

"The preparation for the airport’s reconstruction will continue despite the shutdown, said Van der Meiden." Not at all sure what this means, does reconstruction continue now or not?

I assume they are talking about from now, so two months from now is June 2, at a minimum...

No idea but sounds reasonable, if there is such a thing now.

Incoming AA flights are to resume May 6th. So much for that.

Are you sure?

Wendell

That is what is posted on their site along with it posed on this forum not to long ago. If you go into AA's site it shows their first flights into SXM is May 6th. Just checked it yesterday as we are due to arrive May 8th. Probably won't happen.

there are more variables in play than just AA.

Wendell

Okay, guys - I’m confused here.

Does this mean there will be no passenger flights at all for the next two or possibly six months?

Assuming Covid-19 abates, Please say it isn’t so..... It would be heart-breaking to have to cancel two trips in one year but we’ll do what’s smartest and safest.

I don't doubt that at all. Things are changing daily.

That's how I'm reading it, Pat. At least two months, possibly six, so that takes it past the first of June, for sure. That appears definite to me, as definite as things are these days.

Pat, I expect my flight to CT end of June will be cancelled. And even if it's not, I'm not sure I will be comfortable traveling for quite some time. Even if they open the airport.

No idea pat, just posting a link to what I read.

The airlines are going to have to play the game the SXM government way, which will be flights allowed back in when the PM says it is ok. Perhaps the 2 months is realistic, perhaps it is not but it would be better to give yourself a little "wiggle room" and if things work out, open things up sooner than announced versus continuing delays.

AA or any other airline can post what they want on their sites but the SXM government holds the keys to open the door for commerce and flights to come back to the island. It would only make sense they (SXM government) want the tourist and their $$$ bask ASAP but I also doubt they will take much chance of making a major error based on how quickly they reacted when this all broke.

I think you may be right, Elaine. With all that’s happening around the world right, well beyond the scope of just Sint Maarten, I’m in complete agreement with you. It was hard to cancel our trip for this month but really sad if November doesn’t happen. But the bottom line is we have to be safe. Comfortably safe. You’ve already had one crazy island exit and you sure don’t need another one.

Looks like our May trip is gone but still holding out for our July trip.

We are all in a "wait and see" mode and it could go on for some time. One of the absolute worst scenarios would be to open anything up too soon and then have a major relapse that may be worse than when this initially happened.

Some dog events we had planned on attending, well into May, have already been cancelled. One was a huge Ducks Unlimited/Purina event in TX at the speedway and it was cancelled 2 weeks ago and was for mid-May.

Our DU dinner is canceled along with fishing, Turkey and bear hunting in Washington state. Along with many other things. It's what has to happen to get this under control.

I think you are right!!
This isn't only about SXM, but the whole world---- I think we will know more, as time goes by, and can make good decisions
then.

I was really hoping this was another April Fools joke but this wasn't a joking matter. Wish the island well.

I will be honest - I'm not sure that our trip for next February is going to happen...

This is a different virus than anything we've seen in my lifetime - I was in medical school when we first figured out what HIV was and what was causing AIDS (took a couple of years to figure out why young gay men were dying of odd diseases) - It changed how we approached patients - but we knew how to protect ourselves against it - and it was pretty hard to catch. Frankly, even then I was more 'scared' of hepatitis than HIV - but COVID-19 is MUCH easier to get than either of those.

This particular virus has the infectivity of the common cold combined with the gravity of SARS/MERS (also coronavirii) - It's a 'perfect storm,' if you will - and we do not yet know if people develop immunity after infection - there are scattered reports of re-infection - and without herd immunity, this disease will come and go based on how well we do with social distancing...

All of that to say, be hopeful... yes... but also be realistic. I'd be sad to miss my vacation next winter... but that's not the worst thing that could happen to me.

The airlines need to update if that’s the case. Our May 16th on JB is still confirmed.
Crazy World!
I feel like I am in a movie. (a bad one!)
Stay well,
carib cheers,
doctorj

I think it might take some time before web pages are updated. This just came out.

Pat, I truly hope this doesn't go on for that long, but yesterday we were warned by our public health officials that these measures could extend for 18-24 months to really eradicate this virus. If a vaccine becomes available before that time, things may change but it is all so indefinite. Stay safe and enjoy the nice spring weather at home. Not St. Maarten but better than winter weather for sure.

First I've heard of that. You have a link?

This was reported by our Canadian health officials and our Prime Minister. It will probably not apply to you as under President Trump your country is going an entirely different route.

Canadian Projection

Paragraph beginning with "As Premier Doug Ford" says it may take 18-24 months for virus to run its course.

Should be a vaccine before that.

I think our July anniversary trip to SXM and Anguilla is not going to happen. <sigh> Tenth...can you believe it Pat?!

Hi, Leona,

Where’ve you been?

I can easily believe your July trip could be cancelled as we’re missing our first SXM April vacation in 47 years and oh do we miss it!

But what I can’t quite come to terms with is that it’s been almost ten years already since you and Andre quite literally took the plunge. Time goes by fast when we’re having fun?!

We are to celebrate our 50th and our daughters 20th in July. Fingers crossed.

A letter issued recently by the airport.

JD, for some reason, I can no longer open attachments that are posted here, including photos. Can you share the gist of this letter?

6 months will be irrecoverable for a large number of businesses on SXM and throughout the world.

Long-term, I assume other people will start businesses in their place, so casual tourist/cruise pax who don’t know any owners won’t know who all lost Big time in this game.

Time to restart economies worldwide smartly ASAP. Isolate the infected.

Strange as this should open automatically. as it is part of the post.

It is a letter on airport letterhead, dated April 9, that discusses the before mentioned airport situation. It mentioned the "lockdown", the "hibernation" and subsequent "The back to business" of the airport. It reconfirms the approx. 2 month "hibernation" and also mentions the potential of a 6 month period. Pretty much what the Daily Herald article indicated but I thought it might mean a little more to those who think they may be going in May since it is actually from the airport. It is reaffirms the flights will be limited to cargo, relief and medical during this time period.

If you want to pm me your email address, I can try getting it to you that way.

So just to be very clear, even though it actually doesn't state it in writing, tt seems that one couldn't fly in or out until June the 9th(2 months) or until Oct 9th(6 months) or even more? Surely, if Covid cases we all hope come under control by say middle to end of June, with some sort of testing in place, we could be good to go by July 1st? My point being that the Cruise ship industry will hardly re-ignite this year, huge loss of revenue for SXM(port fees) although I do question over the last few years what some of these people actually spend whilst on the Islands. But with the Airport shut down say until October, this will severely damage the Island not to mention the trade for Anguilla. Am I missing something here?

I don't think you missed much....

I think all that we really know is that the best case scenario is that the airport will be "closed for approximately 2 months" this could mean it opens back up before June 9th or sometime after.

Yes, I have never seen ANY kind of a specific date as to when the airport will reopen, or even a definite date as to how long it will be closed for sure.

bran, The initial article was published in the Daily Herald on April 1. This letter is dated April 9 so you have an 8 day difference that I really doubt will make any difference in the grand scheme of things. I personally have no idea when the airport will open, I just wanted to reinforce the article in the paper with the "official" letter as some on here have tickets for May that have not been cancelled yet and some seem to think the US airlines will govern flights going back into SXM. I highly doubt that.

I wish I had the answers for you. Is July 1 possible? I hope so but I would not make a huge bet on it at this point. I saw things unravel very quick when this all started. In the matter of 18 hours, a LOT changed and changed drastically. I highly doubt anything will be put back online with regard to the airport, tourism and cruises in a hasty manner. Just like here in the US, you screw up "opening" things back up and this reignites, you likely have a much worse problem and dilemma than you started with.

Regarding cruise ships, I think onshore spending has been dwindling for some time. An exception would be a person on a cruise who has an existing relationship with a business, as in jewelry store. The bigger loss with be the port fees to the harbor/government and probably some of the politicians missing out on what they would otherwise pocket from "deals" they had made with the harbor or others "in the business".

You got that right........................

I agree, going to take some time......

There's a difference between the airport being closed and the airport terminal building being in "hibernation" for 2 to 6 months. Note the line in the letter which reads “In the interim, operations of medical, relief, cargo flights, or other, will be possible from the FBO building.” The FBO was used after Irma, and before the tents were installed. If SXM chooses to allow passenger flights, and if airlines choose to operate them, they can be handled through the FBO.

Personally, I'm in no hurry to go anywhere farther than my local grocery store.

Correct, but there is no mention of any commercial flights at this time.

Don't get me started on the local grocery store and some people all 'geared up", acting invincible and like fools in some cases

Cancelling is frustrating. Had to cancel November and rebooked to April. Had to cancel April and just rebooked to September.

Bob,

We were due to arrive today so I hear you loud and clear. Hope things are good with you and hope you will be able to keep those September plans. We have visited that time of year in the past and as long as no 'big storms' were brewing we found it to be a very pleasant and low-key time to be there.

https://nypost.com/2020/04/16/emirates-passengers-undergo-coronavirus-blood-tests-before-flight/

Emirates Airlines conducting at airport antibody blood tests with rapid results before flights. This is a good first step.

Bring it on and let’s get back to work and play.

Is there any more info on the closing?
Thanks,
Stay strong, be well, this too will pass.

Only what has been previously posted. Some still think trips in later May will happen, I think differently. According to a letter from the airport, possibly June 1-9 but that is all contingent on how things progress. Since Dutch SXM added 3 weeks to the controlled movement, or what ever you want to call it, you have to allow for plans both in SXM and in the US for travel to start back up.

The airport technically is operational, just NO commercial flights scheduled at this time, regardless of what US based airline schedules might indicate.

Sadly, there is no definitive answer as to a specific date. Only speculation at this time.

Trust me, as soon as there is any credible information on it. it will be posted here. Thanks.

Thank YOU JD, I greatly appreciate all the info you post.

Thank you, glad to help. I wish there was more definitive information but under the circumstances there are way too many variable. It appears the SXM PM is taking a pretty cautious approach, which is not a bad thing in the grand scheme of things.