In a big boost for St Maarten and its surrounding destinations, low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines is expanding its service to Princess Juliana International Airport. 

Next month, Spirit is expanding to four weekly flights between Fort Lauderdale and St Maarten, with flights on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. 

That will expand further on Nov. 15, when Spirit ramps up flights to daily nonstop service between Fort Lauderdale and St Maarten. 

Spirit will also be offering connecting service from its domestic network. 

“We are very happy that Spirit has St Maarten in their expansion plans, and look forward to continued growth,” said St Maarten Tourism Minister Arthur Lambriex. “I look forward to continuing discussions with our stakeholders to ensure we do all possible to keep

good connectivity and continue to find strategic ways to ensure airfares are more affordable.”

That could be a help, as flights to St Maarten on the major carriers have seen drastic price hikes in recent years.

The news comes as St Maarten is set to debut its transformed airport next month, beginning with the new departure terminal. 

Planning a getaway to St Maarten? Make sure you make a stop at the island’s signature beach bar, Roxxy Beach on the Dutch Side, and take a culinary journey through the town of Grand Case on the French side, home to the largest concentration of world-class restaurants of any place in the Caribbean — including the number one-ranked restaurant in the Caribbean, Le Pressoir. 

If you’re looking for a great place to stay, the best hotels tend to be on the French side, from the beloved Grand Case Beach Club to the luxe Belmond La Samanna to romantic retreats like Karibuni, among others.