AIRPORT----One year after negotiations with representatives of Jet Blue the airline made its inaugural flight to the island from Boston last Saturday. Jet Blue flight 797 arrived here earlier than scheduled because of an apparent tail wind.
In welcoming the airline and its crew President of the Princess Juliana International Airport Eugene Holiday in welcoming the crew to St. Maarten said it could not be a better day to welcome and expand the relationship to the with the with Jet Blue than on St. Valentine's Day. In retrospect he spoke of the 3.3 % decline in passenger movement in 2008 and the "uncertain global economic environment of 2009" and added that it was particularly pleasing to witness the touch down of Jet Blue on St. Maarten.
Holiday said the objective of the airport is to "open direct air service between PJIAE and major metropolitan areas such as Boston." He indicated that this did not come without difficulty and how important it is to have reliable partners such as Jet Blue in these unfavorable economic times.
The airport President expressed appreciation to the management and the Jet Blue organization for the confidence shown by expanding their service to St. Maarten/St. Martin which serves to solidify PJIAE position as a regional leader. He noted that with Jet Blue's new service is a further improvement and expansion in air service for the passengers and stressed that they are committed to working with Jet Blue and the government to develop and strengthen and "grow this new Boston St. Maarten route as well as the existing JFK St. Maarten route.
Commissioner of Aviation Sarah Wescott Williams in her remarks said in jest that St. Maarten had put in "a special order that are usual hot sun was tempered for you and the breeze that is felt though windy and calm that blows over St. Maarten." She congratulated the teams headed by Commissioner Roy and Drs. Eugene Holiday and the management of Jet Blue for their confidence in the island.
She alluded to the fact that the airport had experienced a downturn in passenger arrival and stressed that their will be discussions on if the decrease in passenger arrival is acceptable, excepted or anticipated. She personally feels the airport needs to be congratulated for maintaining the level of passenger arrival during the very difficult year of 2008.
While the discussions are going to take place it is her hope that we focus on 2009 and beyond and added that with this in mind it is good to know that the year has been opened with an important addition to flights and visitors to St. Maarten.
She stressed that she was sure that the passengers who came to St. Maarten on the flight will come back and encourage others to use Jet Blue flight from Boston to St. Maarten. In agreeing with the president of PJIAE, she said that we will witness added flights to St. Maarten.
She told the crew that she is aware that there is not an extra crew on the flight so that they could have enjoyed what the passengers would be enjoying and assured them that they will hear the tales from them. She is certain that they will get the opportunity in the future to spend sometime on the island. She told the captain and the crew to convey to the management of Jet Blue to that the government of St. Maarten will do what ever necessary ensure that the relationship continues to grow between and the airline and St. Maarten and called on JetBlue to be a partner in the development of the island.
Commissioner of Tourism Roy Marlin gave an overview of the relationship with Jet Blue when it started in 2007 and said that "it took a lot of convincing" to management of the airline that St. Maarten was the destination after they had heard that Jet Blue was planning to expand to the Caribbean. He said that with the inaugural flight from Boston to St. Maarten has always been attractive for visitors from the New England area.
He explained that there have been numerous charters coming out of Boston over the years and he is optimistic that with the weekly flight coming out of Boston it will increase to daily flights.
He stated that in a recent meeting with representatives of Jet Blue they are committed to the marketing plan since he feels that they could make the numbers grow to 80% to 85% to justify the increase in flights to the island. He said that St. Maarten is committed to "this marriage" and they are also dedicated to continue with the long term relationship.
Supervisor of Jet Blue Supervisor Mark Boasman in his comments said that with Jet Blue service to the destination it will give more people the opportunity to visit the island. He mentioned that although the relationship between Jet Blue and has only commenced just a few years ago he mentioned that the passengers who travel on the airline has made it a proven success.
He indicated that with the demand for the destination the airline also felt that it was time to increase their flights to destination St. Maarten. He explained that St. Maarten is an important destination in the Caribbean network which is a part of more than 80 daily flights to popular destinations during the winter season making Jet Blue the second largest airline in the Region.
The airline is looking forward to provide a comfortable experience to their passengers who travel between St. Maarten and the United States.
The activities concluded with the Commissioner of Tourism Roy Marlin presenting Captain Michael Toby and his crew who piloted flight 797 to St. Maarten with tokens of appreciation and a plaque on behalf of the government and the people of St. Maarten.
