JDiver

NOTE: SXM terminal has reopened and the temporary inflatable building, etc. have been disassembled.

We were recently at SXM / Princess Juliana International Airport in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, Lesser Antilles, serving one of the Caribbean’s major cruise ports, the Dr. A. C. Wathey Cargo and Cruise port at Philipsburg.

Even if your cruise ship is architecturally accessible, SXM, affected by Hurricane Irma in 2017, may yet offer some challenges because it was until very recently operating with temporary facilities until the actual terminal building is fully refurbished and reopened. The main airport terminal is now being used but under reconstruction. Jetways, etc. were not being used the n, though the implication is they’re nw using the Arrivals facilities and one hopes, jetways etc. From what we saw in December 2018, terminal renovations really began nearly a year after Irma devastated the island.

This will be welcome to all, as on arrival, aircraft have been parked on the apron and passengers discharged into busses using movable airstairs. People with mobility impairments were moved on separate transport with wheel chair access handled with elevating vehicles. The terminal arrival facility reopened for some flights 11 December 2018, the Departure facility 13 December 2018.

On departure, passengers were made to wait with their baggage in the open until their flight is called for processing, at which time a pass to enter the temporary terminal is issued. There were two shaded areas where you could request or move into assertively if necessary, but there was a definite lack of seating until you entered the interim terminal (there was usually a queue), got your baggage weighed (a sticker with the kilogram weight is affixed), checked your baggage and yourself in, passed through immigration and security. People with challenges needed assistance for all of this if they had a disability that interferes with mobility, moving baggage, etc.

Once you arrived in the departures area, though it was air conditioned it was very crowded and had insufficient seats. The seats themselves were low quality plastic seats and a number of them were broken (e.g. the center of the seat is missing, leaving a “donut” to perch on). There were very few seats marked for people with disabilities, and they’re frequently occupied by younger tourists without any impairment or disability - I saw some use various dodgy tricks (ignoring those addressing them, pretending not to understand they were being asked to defer to someone with need, etc.) There were rest rooms, but they’re inadequate and generally have queues (they were ramped, and at a slightly higher level than the seating area.

The gates were numbered, but frequently blocked by queues of people trying to reach a nearby gate. Once people with special needs reached their gate counter, the agents were very good about helping people with special needs preboard the proper vehicle to take one to the aircraft.

For people with disabilities especially, this interim terminal was rife with inconveniences, chaotic and tricky. This mess was dismantled 15 December 2018.

How much longer will it take for SXM to be fully operational and back to normal?

This summer the roof was finally back on the airport. The arrivals and departures areas are open, but the most reliable talk I’ve heard is that SXM might be fully back to normal toward the end of 2019.

By the way, the cruise terminal is quite large - which means significant distances between the entry buildings and shops and your ship, all under the open skies - in early December when we were there nearly 90F / 32C and a very hot sun plus significant humidity; it could rain as well, of course. Your cruise ship can arrange for a shuttle cart to transport you between ship, terminal and bus lot if you’re taking a tour or recovering your baggage for transport.

Link to SXM / Princess Juliana International Airport web site

Link to contact SXM airport

JDiver

It seems SXM is reopened and the terminal is more or less back to normal.