TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Current Arrivals Process?

I understand that the Juliana terminal is at least partially closed for repair
Are the jetbridges back operational or are we back to the good old days of deplaning by
Jet stairs? Is customs outside?

Jet stairs and Customs is outside.

The terminal is closed. You will deplane outside down stairs. Perhaps a bus to the arrivals tent if you are far enough away. Immigration and customs under tent and a small building at this time. A larger tent is being installed.

We arrived on 2/12. Our plane parked close to the arrivals tent. The arrivals tent is outside the end of the terminal closest to Maho. They unloaded from the front and rear of the plane. When we walked into the open air tent it took no time at all to show our passport and clear immigration. In the same tent, you wait for your luggage and then depart outside to a small area along the main road. There is no room for parked vehicles there. Our car rental company was waiting and we walked down to the outside of the main terminal (where you would normally enter the terminal to check-in). There were many taxis and car rental vehicles in this area.

The departure area is at the complete opposite end of the terminal, near the airport round-a-bout. You have to show your passport at a small tent outside and they look to see if your name is on a passenger list. They give you a card that allows you to enter the departure area. The departure area is a much larger tent with a check-in area, then you proceed into the waiting area. They have restrooms, food and beverages and a bar.

It all seems to work fine when there is one flight, but I not sure how it will work with multiple flights. We heard they are going to change the arrivals area to accommodate more passengers, but I have no idea if this is true or just speculation.

We had absolutely no problems arriving or departing and it seemed as if the people were making every effort to be as pleasant as possible.

Scott

Thx to all for update

Thanks Scott W for the timely (for us) update. We arrive March 1.