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NYE Saba/St Kitts: ONGOING STATUS of the SXM Airport


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#1 WreckWench

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Posted 27 September 2017 - 08:47 AM

Hey gang...we need to be proactive in how we manage our air bookings for this trip. We are up against several challenges:

 

1. If you did not buy trip ins for this trip then all expenses related to airport changes and/or your missing this trip will fall on you BECAUSE the airport issues are related to IRMA UNLESS YOU BUY THE AIRLINE INS OFFERED WHEN YOU BOOK THE TICKET AND THEN ANY CHGS WILL BE COVERED.. If you bought your trip ins before Irma was a 'named storm' then you are covered no matter what happens.  Your TRIP INS will still cover all things trip ins covers such as getting ill, travel delays due to weather, someone in the family dying, getting hurt, etc.

 

2. The boat Explorer Ventures along with the airlines basically say the same thing...3 months is too far out to determine if they will chg tickets or not BUT....EV has now extended the SKB to SKB itin thru Nov 25th but OUR itin will be SKB in and SXM out. THAT BEING SAID... here is what we know...

 

a. If you have a ticket or get if you join the trip filling our last few spots... then you should fly into SKB and out of SXM as the airlines will HAVE to chg your tickets if the airport is not operational.  The boat will give us more than 30 days and upwards of 60 to know if they resume normal schedule or continue the SKB to SKB schedule.

 

b. If you think the airport will not be rebuilt in time as many do and book a ticket in and out of SKB you can always get a hopper from SXM on Liat or WinAir to make the international connection. Some members have found super fares going in and out of SKB but that may of only been during the hurricane shock when no one was thinking of going to the islands.

 

c. We will keep posting updates from the boat AND from the web on the status of the airport so you can PROACTIVELY manage your flights.

 

d. And as always please post in this topic with questions or email trips@singledivers.com  :thankyou:

 

 

 

Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
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#2 WreckWench

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Posted 27 September 2017 - 08:51 AM

FROM THE WEB:

 

Hurricane Irma: Heavy damage to one of the world's most famous airports ARTICLE HERE

Hurricane Irma may have destroyed one of the world’s most famous airports as it moved across the northern Caribbean this week.

The Princess Juliana Airport on the island of St. Martin was “hit hard, with what appeared to be sand washed up to parts of the main terminal and the building's roof extensively damaged. No aircraft were visible on the tarmac,” The Associated Press reports. 

 

Images of the damage circulated on social media. Severe damage can be seen inside the airport, including check-in counters and terminal areas. Other images appear to show remnants of a jet bridge sitting on the airfield apron. 

The airport is famous in aviation circles for its runways that abut one of the island’s picturesque blue-water Caribbean beaches, allowing enthusiasts and photo-seekers unusually close access to an active runway.

Over the years, it's become a popular spot for those trying to snag a photo of airliners landing overhead as Maho Beach looms in the background.

 

 

 
Play Video
 
 
 
 
 
 
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The runway at Princess Juliana International Airport in St. Maarten backs up to a public beach. Video provided by Newsy Newslook

 

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This file photo from April 2016 shows the Princess Juliana International Airport in St. Maarten, where planes arrive right on top of sunbathers and snorkelers. (Photo: Nancy Trejos, USA TODAY)

 
   

 



Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
SD LEGACY/OLD/MANUAL Forms & Documents.... here !

Click here TO PAY for Merchandise, Membership, or Travel
"Imitation is the sincerest flattery." - Gandhi
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Kamala Shadduck c/o SingleDivers.com LLC
2234 North Federal Hwy, #1010 Boca Raton, FL 33431
formerly...
710 Dive Buddy Lane; Salem, SC 29676
864-557-6079 tel/celfone/office or tollfree fax 888-480-0906

#3 WreckWench

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Posted 27 September 2017 - 08:58 AM

DJGZE3JXkAADhsp.jpg

 

 

 

Irma devastates world-famous St. Martin airport  ARTICLE HERE

Irma’s fury brought widespread destruction to the island of St. Martin Wednesday, leaving its world-famous airport so badly damaged that it was unreachable Thursday.

Princess Juliana International Airport, which is on the Dutch side of the island, St. Maarten, has become a must-see landmark for visitors who gather at the nearby beach to watch planes fly low overhead.

“It’s just heartbreaking to see the airport, the homes and hotels in ruins,” said Julie Young, a Virginia resident who went on a family vacation to the island in late June. “The Maho Beach plane-watching was spectacular.”

Dutch military officials who flew over the island reported extensive damage but no deaths. Officials say rebuilding the infrastructure remains crucial in the recovery process and getting aid to the residents who remain in flooded conditions. The airport is at the highest of priorities for the delivery of help and supplies, the Dutch navy said via Twitter on Thursday.



Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
SD LEGACY/OLD/MANUAL Forms & Documents.... here !

Click here TO PAY for Merchandise, Membership, or Travel
"Imitation is the sincerest flattery." - Gandhi
"Imitation is proof that originality is rare." - ScubaHawk
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Kamala Shadduck c/o SingleDivers.com LLC
2234 North Federal Hwy, #1010 Boca Raton, FL 33431
formerly...
710 Dive Buddy Lane; Salem, SC 29676
864-557-6079 tel/celfone/office or tollfree fax 888-480-0906

#4 NemosMom

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Posted 01 October 2017 - 11:00 AM

Delta informed me that they changed my SXM departure from 2:12 to 3:55 on January 6th. 



#5 WreckWench

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Posted 04 October 2017 - 02:06 PM

Delta informed me that they changed my SXM departure from 2:12 to 3:55 on January 6th. 

 

Thank you! We will capture it in our records.



Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
SD LEGACY/OLD/MANUAL Forms & Documents.... here !

Click here TO PAY for Merchandise, Membership, or Travel
"Imitation is the sincerest flattery." - Gandhi
"Imitation is proof that originality is rare." - ScubaHawk
SingleDivers.com...often imitated...never duplicated!

Kamala Shadduck c/o SingleDivers.com LLC
2234 North Federal Hwy, #1010 Boca Raton, FL 33431
formerly...
710 Dive Buddy Lane; Salem, SC 29676
864-557-6079 tel/celfone/office or tollfree fax 888-480-0906

#6 Scubadoc

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Posted 24 October 2017 - 05:51 PM

United has canceled all flights to/from SXM until at least April 8th. Have we heard from Explorer if they plan on an SKB/SXM or SKB/SKB itinerary?



#7 Cmdr. Clownfish

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Posted 24 October 2017 - 06:39 PM

United has canceled all flights to/from SXM until at least April 8th. Have we heard from Explorer if they plan on an SKB/SXM or SKB/SKB itinerary?

 

Currently they are doing SKB/SKB.  



#8 Scubadoc

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Posted 24 October 2017 - 06:46 PM

 

United has canceled all flights to/from SXM until at least April 8th. Have we heard from Explorer if they plan on an SKB/SXM or SKB/SKB itinerary?

 

Currently they are doing SKB/SKB.  

 

 

Which I think they were planning on doing until the trip before ours and then change ours back to SKB/SXM.  Do we have confirmation from them that our trip will be SKB/SKB?

 

Thanks.



#9 Kimbuddha

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Posted 24 October 2017 - 06:56 PM

🤔

Edited by Kimbuddha, 25 October 2017 - 04:13 PM.

If you change the way you look at things...the things you look at change.

#10 Cmdr. Clownfish

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Posted 24 October 2017 - 08:46 PM

United has canceled all flights to/from SXM until at least April 8th. Have we heard from Explorer if they plan on an SKB/SXM or SKB/SKB itinerary?

 

American, Jetblue, and Delta are landing in SXM now so the airport is open.  United does not appear to be flying there currently.

https://www.flightst...portQueryType=0

 

They may have limited gates open so United may have dropped the route for that reason.  The Ev website is showing the normal two island itinerary you signed up to. United is also showing tons of flights to SXM also so i am not sure where the disconnect is on United.

 

Either way you should be covered.  In the worst case you catch a puddle jumper back to SXM or the other direction if needed.  



#11 Cmdr. Clownfish

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Posted 24 October 2017 - 08:52 PM

 

United has canceled all flights to/from SXM until at least April 8th. Have we heard from Explorer if they plan on an SKB/SXM or SKB/SKB itinerary?

 

Currently they are doing SKB/SKB.  

 

 

I stand corrected.  The EV website is showing an island transit and no return back to the boarding point.  



#12 WreckWench

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Posted 25 October 2017 - 05:31 AM

First off :thankyou: Scott for all your help to reply to our members. 

Secondly I will be in contact with EV AGAIN today...we talk weekly on the status of the trips. They have to get status from the airlines so you can see its all a bit fluid at the moment. 

 

I will post the next round of updates as soon as possible. 

 

 

EVERYONE....please take a deep breath...it will all work out. The carriers we are booked on have to chg us ...the new wrinkle is if one carrier is not flying to the island and the others are. The boat would have to side with the majority of carriers since someone on AA for example could not force AA to chg their ticket because UL was not flying.  They can force them to chg a ticket if they were not flying. 

 

Stay tuned... breath deeply...we are still a long ways out....it will all be fine! 



Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
SD LEGACY/OLD/MANUAL Forms & Documents.... here !

Click here TO PAY for Merchandise, Membership, or Travel
"Imitation is the sincerest flattery." - Gandhi
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SingleDivers.com...often imitated...never duplicated!

Kamala Shadduck c/o SingleDivers.com LLC
2234 North Federal Hwy, #1010 Boca Raton, FL 33431
formerly...
710 Dive Buddy Lane; Salem, SC 29676
864-557-6079 tel/celfone/office or tollfree fax 888-480-0906

#13 WreckWench

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Posted 25 October 2017 - 05:36 AM

 

 

United has canceled all flights to/from SXM until at least April 8th. Have we heard from Explorer if they plan on an SKB/SXM or SKB/SKB itinerary?

 

Currently they are doing SKB/SKB.  

 

 

Which I think they were planning on doing until the trip before ours and then change ours back to SKB/SXM.  Do we have confirmation from them that our trip will be SKB/SKB?

 

Thanks.

 

 

 

As we all know the original itinerary is in SKB  out SXM. The boat changed that to in SKB and out SKB until the end of October. Early indicators were that the airport would be up and running. It is ...but still only partially. They will be making another announcement this week I am sure as to how long they manage the airport situation. REMEMBER...they are losing a ton of money because people can not fly there... THEY ARE ON IT!!! 



Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
SD LEGACY/OLD/MANUAL Forms & Documents.... here !

Click here TO PAY for Merchandise, Membership, or Travel
"Imitation is the sincerest flattery." - Gandhi
"Imitation is proof that originality is rare." - ScubaHawk
SingleDivers.com...often imitated...never duplicated!

Kamala Shadduck c/o SingleDivers.com LLC
2234 North Federal Hwy, #1010 Boca Raton, FL 33431
formerly...
710 Dive Buddy Lane; Salem, SC 29676
864-557-6079 tel/celfone/office or tollfree fax 888-480-0906

#14 Scubadoc

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Posted 25 October 2017 - 07:19 AM

Ok, looks like you can still (sort of) get there on United - I just rebooked.  Down to SKB is still the same, but back they will sell you a ticket on Seabourne Airlines through SJU to return from SXM.  They said they could not change the original ticket because they "can't put you on another airline" under their rules.  So I had to cancel the original itinerary and rebook a separate itinerary - which thankfully was $100 less than the original one.



#15 Cmdr. Clownfish

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Posted 25 October 2017 - 07:27 AM

Ok, looks like you can still (sort of) get there on United - I just rebooked.  Down to SKB is still the same, but back they will sell you a ticket on Seabourne Airlines through SJU to return from SXM.  They said they could not change the original ticket because they "can't put you on another airline" under their rules.  So I had to cancel the original itinerary and rebook a separate itinerary - which thankfully was $100 less than the original one.

 

So United canceled their direct flights and pushed it all onto Seaborne.  That makes sense with what I saw last night.  I've been on Seaborne several times, they are a pretty quality outfit so this should work well.






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