CEO Karin Virapin and Commercial Director Noëlla Abitbol of Air Caraïbes announced a daily flight between Guadeloupe and Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) as well the resumption of flights to Paris.
SIMPSON BAY--Air Caraïbes will introduce a daily flight between Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe and St. Maarten on January 8, 2027, in a move the airline says will improve regional connectivity and provide travellers with more options for connecting to other Caribbean destinations and Paris.
The announcement was made during a press conference at Simpson Bay Resort’s Ballroom on Thursday, October 15, attended by Air Caraïbes Chief Executive Officer Karin Virapin, Commercial Director for the French Caribbean and French Guiana Noëlla Abitbol and representatives of the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau.
The new route will be operated using an ATR 72-600 aircraft. Air Caraïbes said the daily service is intended to accommodate different travel needs, including business trips, family visits and connections to other destinations. Abitol said the new route would add more than 54,000 seats between Guadeloupe and St. Maarten, giving travellers additional opportunities to reach St. Maarten and connect with the airline’s regional and transatlantic network.
The airline announced launch fares starting at 199 euros for a return trip from Pointe-à-Pitre to St. Maarten and 249 euros from Fort-de-France, Martinique. These are advertised starting fares and are subject to availability and the applicable booking conditions.
Air Caraïbes said the service forms part of its wider effort to link its regional routes with its transatlantic network. The airline already operates flights between Pointe-à-Pitre and Grand Case Airport on the French side of the island. The new service will provide a daily connection to PJIA on the Dutch side, offering another option for travellers seeking onward connections from the airport.
The announcement also comes as Air Caraïbes resumes its direct service between Paris-Orly and PJIA. The route, operated with an Airbus A350, runs on Mondays and Thursdays. The airline said the combination of the direct Paris service and the new daily Guadeloupe connection would provide options for travelling to Paris throughout the week, either directly or through Pointe-à-Pitre.
Abitol said the company had recorded a 45 per cent increase in use of its Fort-de-France–St. Maarten connection. The airline is looking to build on that demand through the addition of the Guadeloupe route and by offering travellers more flexibility.
Virapin said St. Maarten remained an important destination for Air Caraïbes, which has served the island for years. She said the airline viewed connectivity as more than transporting passengers, pointing to its role in supporting economic exchanges, tourism and residents’ everyday travel needs.
Representatives of the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau also presented updates on the island’s tourism promotion efforts during the press conference. Marketing Officer Luis Hurtault and Claudia Arrindell highlighted the Festival de la Gastronomie, scheduled for November 11 to 22, with coconut featured as the event’s main ingredient.
The bureau also announced the first edition of Salt & Soul, its official St. Martin magazine. The publication showcases the island’s culture, tourism experiences and identity and is available online at saltandsoulmagazine.sx. The bureau described the magazine as an additional promotional tool to introduce the destination’s attractions and cultural heritage to prospective visitors.
