Jamesbuk From United Kingdom, joined May 2005, 3968 posts, RR: 5 Posted (3 years 7 months 2 weeks 3 days 13 hours ago) and read 1943 times:
Hi guys and gals,
I was looking at some pics of overhead SXM shots and app and noticed that SXM gets alot of heavy and medium sized traffic, but why? its a tiny island and nothing much there, unless the pics havent included the rest of the island then why is there so much?
Rgds --James--
You cant have your cake and eat it... What the hells the point in having it then!!!
N766UA From United States, joined Jul 1999, 6817 posts, RR: 51 Reply 1, posted (3 years 7 months 2 weeks 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 1900 times:
It doesn't. There are only 2 or 3 heavies a day, at most, and assorted 757s, A320s, and 737s. Twin Otters and BN Islanders make up the bulk of the traffic. But why does it get the 757s and up? Because it's a huge tourist destination, especially for Americans, Dutch, and French. The island is much, much bigger than you can see in a picture and includes the French side with Marigot and the Dutch side with Philipsburg, a major cruise ship stop.
If God meant man to fly, He'd have given us bigger wallets.
FRAspotter From United States, joined May 2004, 1859 posts, RR: 8 Reply 2, posted (3 years 7 months 2 weeks 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 1893 times:
Easy, it is a large tourist vacation spot. The heavy traffic is mainly just the AF A340 and the KL 744 carrying tourists from Europe that are in so many photos in the database. The island is larger than in the photographs, and the beaches are great (Maho Beach is a famous example) and it's a wonderful place to spend a holiday in the sun.
[Edited 2006-04-23 00:57:52]
[Edited 2006-04-23 00:59:09]
"I wish that my lawn were emo, that way it would cut itself..."
Planesarecool From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2001, 3829 posts, RR: 19 Reply 3, posted (3 years 7 months 2 weeks 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 1852 times:
If other Caribbean destinations were as photographed, you'd realise that its pretty much the same on many other Caribbean islands. They are big holiday destinations for Europeans and Americans/Canadians alike, and especially as SXM is part of France and The Netherlands, it is pretty popular with them.
NateDAL From United States, joined Jan 2006, 414 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (3 years 7 months 2 weeks 3 days 11 hours ago) and read 1788 times:
Because it is really popular. SXM has many large hotels and is a place to get on cruise ships. This is the departure lounge. You can see why they are building a new termainal. I took these on a Saturday in March. Coming from SBH, it was shocking to see so many people.
Captaink From Mexico, joined May 2001, 4361 posts, RR: 15 Reply 5, posted (3 years 7 months 2 weeks 3 days 11 hours ago) and read 1740 times:
It is one of the more popular destinations in the caribbean, and being French/Dutch guarantees you the AF/KL combination.
If you have a look at the daily visitors to Barbados for example you would notice quite a few flights as well, including guaranteed daily widebody flights VS/BA from London. There are also a host of other charters that operate A330's, 767s etc. Then the North American delegation of AA,AC who at times use their widebody aircraft as well. Then narrowbody jets from caribbean airlines, BW/JM and AA,AC (when a widebody is not used), US etc.
Jorge1812 From Germany, joined Apr 2004, 3071 posts, RR: 14 Reply 6, posted (3 years 7 months 2 weeks 3 days 9 hours ago) and read 1645 times:
Quoting Captaink (Reply 5): Small islands, big airplanes = The Caribbean
You can compare it with the islands in the Mediterranean sea and the Canary Islands - they got plenty of wide-bodies too over the season plus the fact that most narrow-bodies can't make it from Europe to SXM.
A388 From Netherlands Antilles, joined May 2001, 5785 posts, RR: 14 Reply 7, posted (3 years 7 months 2 weeks 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 1457 times:
Quoting FRAspotter (Reply 2): The heavy traffic is mainly just the AF A340 and the KL 744 carrying tourists from Europe that are in so many photos in the database
RDUDDJI From Lesotho, joined Jun 2004, 1190 posts, RR: 4 Reply 8, posted (3 years 7 months 2 weeks 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 661 times:
Quoting Jamesbuk (Thread starter): I was looking at some pics of overhead SXM shots and app and noticed that SXM gets alot of heavy and medium sized traffic, but why? its a tiny island and nothing much there, unless the pics havent included the rest of the island then why is there so much?
So we here at A.net get chances to take some great photos!
Corsairf/a From France, joined Oct 2000, 373 posts, RR: 1 Reply 9, posted (3 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 505 times:
As said before daily fligts from Europe for SXM and for ST Barth which can only handly small aircrafts.
By the way, Corsair has received its 5th 747-400 F-HKISS which has not got the TUI smiley on the tail...
Boeingfanyyz From Canada, joined Jul 2005, 991 posts, RR: 5 Reply 10, posted (3 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 457 times:
There are a few main reasons:
1) It is not accesible via narrow-body aircraft from Europe.
2) The island is owned by France and the Netherlands. Therefore, the countries have an un-written obligation to provide air service to these destinations.
3) It is a huge hub for cruises, therefore creating the gap for American and Canadian carriers to send their wide-bodies to SXM (i.e. AC 763, AA 757, CO 757, etc.).
4) It is also a huge vacation destination which forces the American and Canadian carriers to have service to SXM.
5) A.NUTERRS!!!
Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Boeingfanyyz
"If it aint boeing, it aint going!", "Friends are like condoms...they protect you when things get hard!"
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