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As of Tuesday, emergency relief flights will be executed specifically for caregivers and freight from Curaçao to St. Maarten. The return flight will take patients and tourists who can demonstrate they have a reason to leave the country. Other travelers can access one of the flights to link the two sister Dutch islands in coming days only if there is space available.
Emergency flights as of Tuesday will no longer be carried out by the Dutch Ministry of Defence, but by the Dutch Ministry of Interior and Kingdom Relations. Emergency relief flights will terminate as soon as commercial flights are again possible into Princess Juliana International Airport.
Travellers must fit certain prerequisites established for both legs of the flights.
From St. Maarten to Curaçao, the flights are for people who have to leave the country for medical reasons. A doctor’s statement from St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) is necessary, according to a Ministry statement. Spaces are also available for tourists who can demonstrate that there is a need to leave the country. They must have valid travel documents and proof of their place of residence or residence in their own country (passport or driver’s license).
The flight from Curaçao to St. Maarten is for residents or temporary residents of St. Maarten with valid travel documents who are urgently required to return home. It is also for Saba and St. Eustatius residents. They, however, must take care of their continuing journey from St. Maarten to Saba or St. Eustatius.
Applications to fly on the relief flights should be mailed to VNW@vnw.minbzk.nl with the applicant’s name, telephone number and e-mail, reason for the application, official names as stated passports, passport number and expiration date passport, desired flight fate (not guaranteed), and in e-mail subject state which leg of flight is needed.
For those in no hurry to head back to St. Maarten or Curaçao, are advised by the Ministry to wait on the resumption of commercial air traffic into St. Maarten.
Min. Internal Affairs.
See also: https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2017/10/01/noodhulpvluchten-van-en-naar-sint-maarten-niet-meer-door-defensie (in Dutch)