Sint Maarten Flights Resuming: Travel Update After Venezuela Airspace Restrictions

Travel Update Last updated: Sunday, January 4, 2026 | 06:08 AST (GMT-4)

Great news for travelers! Air travel in the Caribbean and Puerto Rico will resume at midnight on January 4, 2026, after hundreds of flights were canceled in the wake of the United States conducting military strikes in Venezuela and capturing the country's leader, Nicolás Maduro.

In a January 3 post on X, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that airspace restrictions would expire and flights can resume. "Airlines are informed, and will update their schedules quickly. Please continue to work with your airline if your flight was affected by the restrictions," Duffy wrote.

What This Means for Sint Maarten Travelers

Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) is fully operational and ready to welcome flights. Airlines are working quickly to update their schedules and restore service to Sint Maarten.

Live Flight Status

You can view the live, continuously updated departure board:

View Live Sint Maarten Departure Times

Airline Rebooking Policies

If your flight was canceled, here's what you need to know about rebooking with major airlines:

JetBlue

JetBlue flights in more than one dozen cities in the Caribbean were impacted, including Sint Maarten (SXM).

Rebooking Options:

• ▸Customers may rebook their flights for travel through January 10 online in the manage trips section of jetblue.com prior to the departure time of their originally scheduled flight
• ▸Customers who had flights canceled may also opt for a refund

American Airlines

American Airlines noted flights from 19 Caribbean cities have been impacted, including Sint Maarten (SXM).

Rebooking Options:

• ▸Fees to change flights are waived if you bought your ticket by January 2, 2026, scheduled to travel between January 3-4, or can travel between January 2-9

Delta Air Lines

Delta said in a statement the airline began canceling flights in the Caribbean starting on early Saturday morning. The airline said it's closely monitoring the situation and working to restore service. Contact Delta directly for rebooking options and updated flight information.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines had flights impacted in Aruba (AUA), Punta Cana (PUJ), and San Juan (SJU). While Sint Maarten wasn't specifically mentioned, travelers should check with Southwest for updates.

Rebooking Options:

• ▸Customers can rebook or travel standby within 14 days without paying a fare difference
• ▸Refunds may be available for canceled or significantly delayed flights

Frontier Airlines

Frontier Airlines flights from five Caribbean cities have been impacted, including San Juan (SJU), Ponce (PSE), Aguadilla (BQN), Saint Martin (SXM), and Aruba (AUA).

Rebooking Options:

• ▸Change and cancellation fees are waived for flights from these cities
• ▸Fare differences may still apply, and canceled trips convert to travel credit

Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines said flights from five Caribbean cities have been impacted, including San Juan (SJU), Aruba (AUA), St. Croix (STX), St. Thomas (STT), and St. Maarten (SXM).

Rebooking Options:

• ▸Rebooking will be allowed through January 11

Is Sint Maarten Safe Right Now?

Yes! Sint Maarten is calm, safe, and operating normally.

• ▸No local security incidents
• ▸No curfews or restrictions on the island
• ▸Hotels, restaurants, tours, and beaches are fully open
• ▸Airport infrastructure is functioning normally
• ▸All island services are operating as usual

The flight disruptions were related to regional airspace restrictions, not conditions on the ground in Sint Maarten. The island itself has remained safe and welcoming throughout this period.

What Should Travelers Do Now?

If You're Flying Out of Sint Maarten

1. Check your flight status - Contact your airline directly or check their app/website 2. Monitor updates - Airlines are updating schedules quickly, so check frequently 3. Review rebooking options - Use the policies above to rebook if needed 4. Check the official Sint Maarten airport departure board for real-time updates

If You're Flying To Sint Maarten

1. Confirm your flight - Contact your airline to verify your flight status 2. Allow extra time - While service is resuming, allow extra time for check-in and security 3. Stay flexible - Schedules may still be adjusting as airlines restore full service

If You're Currently in Sint Maarten

1. Enjoy your extended stay! - Sint Maarten is a wonderful place to spend extra time 2. Explore the island - Use the buttons in the "Making the Most of Your Time in Sint Maarten" section below to discover restaurants, tours, and activities 3. Stay informed - Keep checking with your airline for updated departure information

Bottom Line

This page will be updated as new information becomes available.