By the Caribbean Journal staff

St Maarten is seeing more and more new flights and resumed service as the island works to recover from last year’s storms, led by a major resumption in service by American Airlines.

That includes the imminent return of American’s nonstop flight from Charlotte to St Maarten, which begins Nov. 4; along with the resumption of nonstop flights from both New York and Philadelphia beginning Dec. 19.

The relaunches “show the resilience of St Maarten,” St Maarten Tourism Minister Stuart Johnson said in a statement.

“The new airlifts from carriers such as American Airlines shows their commitment to St Maarten and their belief in our country and people’s resilience,” Johnson said. “It also gives people in the region more ease of access to the USA and elsewhere and shows the importance of our airport as a hub destination for our regional partners.”

The expanded service also comes as the destination works to complete the new Main Terminal at Princess Juliana International Airport, which is set for November.

American has “a long-term commitment to with St Maarten and it is great to be able to grow our presence on the island,” said American Airlines’ managing director for the Caribbean, Alfred Gonzales.

The Charlotte and Philadelphia flights will both operate daily on Airbus A-319 aircraft.

The view from the Grand Case Beach Club’s pool deck.

The New York flight, which will operate weekly on Saturdays, will run on a Boeing 757 aircraft with 176 seats.

St Maarten has been working to make a major comeback, with this winter particularly crucial.

Le Petit Hotel in St Martin.

It’s getting a boost from the relaunch of several hotels, particularly on the French side of the island, including the Grand Case Beach Club and Le Petit Hotel.

The premier hotel on the Dutch side, the Sonesta Ocean Point, will reopen Nov. 15, while its sister property, the Sonesta Maho Beach resort, is planning to relaunch Feb. 1, 2019.

— CJ