SXM posts very positive passenger traffic growth for first three quarters of 2012

According to the most recent passenger traffic statistics available, the total passenger traffic (excluding transit passengers) at the Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) for the first nine months of 2012 are up 6.2% over the same period in 2011. This growth has been propelled by departing passengers that are up 7.8% for the period January through September 2012, in comparison to the same period in 2011.

 

The figures also show that passengers making same-day connections to other Caribbean destinations in 2012 at SXM are up by 23.2% compared to the same period in 2011. This highlights the importance of the hub function of SXM airport to the region. However, travel between St. Maarten and Saba, St. Eustatius, Curacao, and Bonaire in the first three quarters of 2012, as compared to the same period in 2011, is down by 5.5%.

The first quarter of 2012 started off with a very positive 7.1% increase in comparison to 2011, while growth in the second and third quarter of 2012 was respectively 4.2% and 7.0% compared to the same period last year. The weakest month of travel for St. Maarten, September, in fact, saw a very significant increase in 2012 of 18% over 2011.

According to Managing Director of PJIAE, Regina LaBega, the company expects to see overall 2012 passenger volume excl. transit passengers at SXM to be up by 7-8% over 2011.

"The traditionally weakest month of the year for St. Maarten, September, has seen a very significant increase in traffic and we believe this bodes well for the remaining part of the year," LaBega said, while predicting that, "The winter 2012/2013 season is expected to be very positive for St. Maarten."