New Departure Hall at Princess Juliana International Airport is set to open by November 1st, 2023.
- Thread starter JEK
- Start date
Last time I was there, about two, maybe three, years ago, I had patiently endured a long line to get to the Immigration desk. Next in line & about to step forward as the person at the desk picked up his suitcase to move away, three apparent SXM locals behind me pushed past me to get to the window. The agent in the booth watched the whole thing. When they left & I got to the window, I asked the agent why she let them get away with shoving me out of the way. Her response — “You snooze, you lose!” One of the reasons that I expect to continue to avoid SXM . . . shiny new Departure Hall or non.
Saline Man
SBH Insider
amyb
Senior Insider
I remember when this was so!
Saline Man
SBH Insider
That must have been a while ago.............
JEK
Senior Insider
St Maarten’s Airport Is Opening Its New Departure Terminal
By: Caribbean Journal Staff - August 29, 2023It’s been six years, but the new departure terminal at Princess Juliana International Airport in St Maarten is opening soon.
This November, the new Departure Hall at Princess Juliana is officially launching operations, a major milestone for an airport that was largely destroyed by Hurricane Irma back in 2017.
The new departure hall is a “brand-new and state-of-the-art airport environment,” airport officials said in a statement. And yes — it will include
“We’re thrilled to announce that the new Departure Hall at Princess Juliana International Airport is set to open by November 1st, 2023,” the airport said in a statement.
For several years since reopening post-Irma, the airport has been relying on an often-cramped temporary facility.
The new departure hall, complete with a terrazzo floor, will boast what officials called an “impressive interior design,” including “cutting-edge amenities, spacious waiting areas, advanced security checkpoints, and streamlined boarding processes,” along with new airport stores.
Princess Juliana is also set to debut a newly-built temporary arrival facility, with immigration counters, a baggage claim area and customs facilities.
Its part of a multi-phased reconstruction of the entire airport.
That includes the new departure hall, followed by a new check-in hall, set to open in December 2023, followed by an upgraded Arrival Hall.
Completion of the arrival hall is slated for the second quarter of 2024, “in time for summer travel.”
St Maarten’s airport is among the most important in the Caribbean, both for the island’s abundant tourism industry and its place as a regional hub.
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KevinS
Senior Insider
This appears to be what Jason is referring to, a new Temporary Arrival Facility.
“Starting in October, arriving passengers can expect to be welcomed in a newly built Temporary Arrival Facility (TAF), which will be equipped with all necessary amenities and services, including immigration counters, a baggage claim area, and customs facilities. The groundwork for this temporary facility has already started. The airport management has meticulously planned the relocation process to ensure maximum safety, minimal disruption, and inconvenience to travelers. Clear signage, airport staff, and additional resources will be available to guide passengers through the various facilities at the airport.”
“Starting in October, arriving passengers can expect to be welcomed in a newly built Temporary Arrival Facility (TAF), which will be equipped with all necessary amenities and services, including immigration counters, a baggage claim area, and customs facilities. The groundwork for this temporary facility has already started. The airport management has meticulously planned the relocation process to ensure maximum safety, minimal disruption, and inconvenience to travelers. Clear signage, airport staff, and additional resources will be available to guide passengers through the various facilities at the airport.”
Jim A
Senior Insider
While improvements are likely eventually great, they also make me worried, at least at first. We will be flying home on a Saturday in the middlish of November which likely is right before or after this opens up (depending on actual date of course). Tradewind flights home are too much higher than the SXM route home to make that our choice, although we are flying Tradewind to SBH.
Thoughts on getting to SXM 2 hours before our Delta flight departs for JFK? Think we should play it safe and go with 3 hours?
Thoughts on getting to SXM 2 hours before our Delta flight departs for JFK? Think we should play it safe and go with 3 hours?
Jeanette
Senior Insider
It's surreal that it has taken SIX YEARS and SXM only has a new departure hall opening first. What's a check-in hall? Does that mean you have to check in to your flight in one facility and then go to the new departure hall to leave? That sounds worse than the current situation.
So for my trip in November, I would arrive at a temporary SXM ARRIVAL hall, then go to a temporary CHECK-IN hall to check into my SBH flight and then go to the new DEPARTURE hall? This can't be right.
So for my trip in November, I would arrive at a temporary SXM ARRIVAL hall, then go to a temporary CHECK-IN hall to check into my SBH flight and then go to the new DEPARTURE hall? This can't be right.
LuckyKid
SBH Insider
Early is good, too early…not so much. In May due to scheduling we arrived at SXM 4 hours in advance of our return flight home. When we tried to check in early we were not allowed to check our bags, or to enter the terminal until 2 hours before our flight. A mixed blessing. We found seats outside in the shade, souvenir shop Caribs and entertainment watching the taxi and shuttle bus drivers collecting passengers. What a scene.
SXM posted a video on YouTube Episode 11 about the TAF (Temp arrival facility) and near the end of the video they actually address in transit passengers (kudos to SXM!). It appears the process will be very similar to what is currently in place. You are dropped off at the TAF but will not go into the facility. There will be another bus at the location to take you to the main terminal and through a transit screening process. I’m assuming likely the same hallway as it is currently done so that is very good news! Oh and the fine folks on the “Friendly Island” take offense to the old adage of the “tents” they were “pavilions” as noted in this episode as well..haha!
Saline Man
SBH Insider
What is the over / under on November 1st?
Jim A
Senior Insider
Interesting. In the past they would only recognize printed boarding passes, correct? I wonder if starting in November (if you believe that date) they will be accepting digital boarding passes as well
