Local News
Contour starts twice-weekly nonstop flights between St. Thomas and St. Maarten
Contour Airlines began nonstop service between St. Thomas and Princess Juliana International Airport on Monday, October 5, with flights on Mondays and Fridays aboard 30-seat regional jets. The flight takes about an hour each way.
By SXM Daily ยท
Contour Airlines has started flying nonstop between St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands and St. Maarten. The first flights operated on Monday, October 5, and the route runs twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays, according to the airline.
The flights connect Cyril E. King Airport (STT) in St. Thomas with Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) and use Contour's 30-seat regional jets.
The schedule
Contour lists these times (local time; St. Thomas and St. Maarten share a time zone):
Mondays
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St. Thomas to St. Maarten: departs 11:35 a.m., arrives 12:30 p.m.
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St. Maarten to St. Thomas: departs 1:15 p.m., arrives 2:10 p.m.
Fridays
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St. Thomas to St. Maarten: departs 12:35 p.m., arrives 1:35 p.m.
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St. Maarten to St. Thomas: departs 2:30 p.m., arrives 3:25 p.m.
Each leg is scheduled at about an hour or less.
Why it matters
For people in St. Maarten, the route adds a direct option for reaching St. Thomas for family visits, business or a short trip, without connecting through another airport.
What officials said
PJIA marked the first arrival with a welcome ceremony on Monday. Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication Grisha Heyliger-Marten spoke at the event, according to The Peoples Tribune.
"St. Maarten is not simply a destination. We are a gateway," the minister said, as quoted by The Peoples Tribune. She said the work now is to make the route last: "Our responsibility now, as Government, the airport, our tourism partners and Contour, is to promote it, support it and, most importantly, fill those seats."
In Contour's announcement of the route, PJIA Chief Executive Officer Michael Cleaver said, "Every new route strengthens the connectivity that is so vital to island communities." Contour President Ben Munson said the service "reflects our ongoing commitment to providing convenient, reliable, and comfortable air travel options across the region." U.S. Virgin Islands Commissioner of Tourism Jennifer Matarangas-King said it "strengthens the longstanding family, cultural, and business connections that have united our islands for generations."
Background
Contour announced the route on July 22. The airline already serves St. Maarten from San Juan, Puerto Rico. In St. Thomas, the Virgin Islands Port Authority and the USVI Department of Tourism planned their own welcome at Cyril E. King Airport for Monday's first return flight from St. Maarten.
What happens next
The next flights are scheduled for Friday, October 9. Contour has not published fares for the route in the sources SXM Daily reviewed.
Sources
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https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/contour-airlines-announces-new-nonstop-service-between-st-thomas-and-st-maarten-302832222.html
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https://sxm-talks.com/the-peoples-tribune/new-contour-st-thomas-route-strengthens-st-maarten-s-role-as-caribbean-aviation-gateway-the-peoples-tribune
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https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/contour-airlines-to-launch-new-st-maarten-st-thomas-service-on-monday/article_d951cbfc-2f8f-475f-8099-ca3471dcc82b.html