GREAT BAY--Princess Juliana International Airport CEO Michael Cleaver has welcomed Contour Airlines to St. Maarten following the launch of the carrier’s new nonstop service between St. Thomas and St. Maarten, describing the route as an important addition to regional connectivity.
Speaking at the inaugural flight on Monday, Cleaver said the new service represents more than another air connection, stressing the importance of stronger links between Caribbean destinations for residents, businesses and visitors.
“On behalf of Princess Juliana International Airport, it is a real pleasure to be here today as we celebrate the start of Contour Airlines’ new nonstop service between St. Maarten and St. Thomas,” Cleaver said.
He noted that connectivity in the Caribbean extends beyond simply moving passengers between airports, as regional air links also connect families, businesses, communities and tourism markets.
Cleaver said St. Maarten and St. Thomas are geographically close and questioned why such a direct connection had not been established sooner.
“When you look at St. Maarten and St. Thomas, we are really not that far apart. So perhaps the question is not why we are launching this connection today, but why we didn’t do it sooner,” he said.
The new St. Thomas-St. Maarten route operates twice per week on Mondays and Fridays aboard Contour Airlines’ 30-seat regional aircraft.
On Mondays, the St. Thomas to St. Maarten flight departs at 11:35 a.m. and arrives at 12:30 p.m. The return service leaves St. Maarten at 1:15 p.m. and arrives in St. Thomas at 2:10 p.m.
On Fridays, the flight departs St. Thomas at 12:35 p.m. and arrives in St. Maarten at 1:35 p.m. The return flight departs St. Maarten at 2:30 p.m. and arrives in St. Thomas at 3:25 p.m.
Flying time is approximately 55 minutes to one hour, providing passengers with a direct alternative to itineraries that might otherwise require travel through another regional airport.
Cleaver said the twice-weekly service creates another convenient bridge between two destinations with strong tourism industries, vibrant communities and shared Caribbean ties.
“At PJIA, we continue to believe strongly in growing regional connectivity,” he said. “While long-haul connections are incredibly important to our tourism product, the connections within our own Caribbean region are just as valuable.”
He said stronger regional links provide residents with additional travel options, support business travel and allow visitors to experience more than one destination during a Caribbean trip.
Cleaver congratulated Contour Airlines on launching the route and also recognized the Virgin Islands Port Authority, the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism and the other stakeholders involved in making the service possible.
“To the Contour team, welcome to the SXM family. We hope this is the beginning of a long and successful partnership, and perhaps the first of many new connections still to come,” Cleaver said.
He added that the airport looks forward to seeing Contour aircraft operating between the islands every Monday and Friday and wished the airline success on the route.
“Congratulations to everyone involved and here’s to many full flights between St. Maarten and St. Thomas,” Cleaver concluded.
