Airline commemorates milestone and recovery with its customers, crewmembers and business partners
SINT MAARTEN – JetBlue marked the 10th anniversary of service to St. Maarten with local festivities that included its customers, crewmembers and business partners at Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM). The airline celebrated the special milestone as it reiterated its commitment to serve the market and help in its tourism recovery after Hurricane Irma. JetBlue initially launched service from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to St. Maarten on Jan. 17, 2008.
“Since hurricane Irma struck, the JetBlue team, including our crewmembers in St. Maarten, have worked hard alongside our partners to restore service. We’re grateful to our crewmembers, business partners and the community for their support throughout the years and since the hurricane,” said Giselle Cortes, director of international airports and commercial for JetBlue. “We would also like to acknowledge our partners at the Ministry of Tourism and Economic Affairs, and at the Princess Juliana International Airport Operating Company, for quickly focusing on the market’s recovery and ensuring continuity at the airport. We look forward to the ongoing effort to help spark a bright tourism resurgence for St. Maarten.”
“As Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic & Telecommunications, I would like to congratulate and thank JetBlue for their continuous service to St. Maarten. JetBlue’s continuous growth to the region is a great contributing factor to our economy, especially with Princess Juliana International Airport being one of the main hubs in the Caribbean,” said the Honorable Cornelius De Weever. “Thanks for solidifying your commitment to our destination over the past 10 years, and we look forward to your continued commitment in bringing and taking passengers to our lovely shores.”
Ravi Daryanani, CFO and acting CEO of Princess Juliana International Airport Operating Company, PJIAE NV said, “Time really does fly! It’s now 10 years since JetBlue began its service to the Princess Juliana International Airport, SXM. For us, it has been a decade of trusted partnership and mutual cooperation.
On behalf of the entire PJIAE Family, I wish to hereby extend hearty congratulations to the management and staff of JetBlue, perhaps the fastest-expanding carrier in the Caribbean. May you continue to soar from strength to strength in the next 10 years and beyond.”
Michel Hyman, COO of Princess Juliana International Airport Operating Company, PJIAE NV said, “A relationship is not measured only by the length of time it has existed, but more importantly by the quality of the bonds that tie the partners together. It is clear that, in the last 10 years, SXM has gained not only the excellent service provided by JetBlue to this destination, but also the confidence that this is a mutually beneficial relationship. There is no doubt whatsoever in my mind that JetBlue is here to stay. The carrier has demonstrated through thick and thin, its commitment to SXM, and by extension our hub partners as well. On this occasion of its 10th anniversary of service to our airport, I would like to congratulate the Management and staff of JetBlue and wish them many more decades of flying to our Friendly Island.”
Celebration with Customers, Crewmembers and Business Partners JetBlue welcomed its customers in St. Maarten with festive decorations and gift bags filled with promotional items. Once boarded, two lucky customers on the flight to New York JFK each won a set of flight certificates for future travel on JetBlue. Crewmembers and business partners also received gift bags and recognitions from a JetBlue executive who flew in to celebrate the milestone.
Hurricane Recovery and Restoration of Service JetBlue worked to evacuate customers and crewmembers ahead of Hurricane Irma. Rescue flights were also conducted in order to evacuate customers and residents in the aftermath of the storm, as well as bring in much needed relief supplies. JetBlue is currently operating daily service from St. Maarten to JFK
