Flight connecting the two islands
Anguilla is an island in the UK's offshore territory with a length of 25.7 km and a width of only 5.6 km. This is a favorite place for those who are looking for quiet, where they can immerse themselves in the refreshment and peace of nature. Meanwhile, the island near Saint Martin is only about 7.2 km south of Anguilla. This is the smallest island in the ocean divided in half between two countries. The island is divided into two regions, the northern part of the island belongs to France, and the southern part belongs to the Netherlands with the name Sint Marten.
Princess Juliana International Airport in Sint Maarten has quickly become a popular tourist attraction with many videos on Youtube of tourists challenging themselves in the middle of the flight, despite warnings of life-threatening dangers. There have been many cases of injuries due to collisions, conflicts with the wind flow of a rocket engine, and even a woman died in 2017. However, for those who strictly follow aviation safety regulations, flights will give them a new and more comfortable feeling compared to regular international flights.
Important connection
Captain Carl Avery Thomas, who is now the owner of Anguilla Airlines and a one-year pilot, said that most of the residents living on Anguilla Island have at least one person working in the aviation industry, so maintaining regular routes is extremely important for their lives. Previously, most tourists chose to take a high-speed boat from Sint Maarten to the island, however, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government has suspended operations, only recently have ferries been licensed to operate again.
Normally, a high-speed train trip will take about 25 minutes, however, this trip will bring an uncomfortable experience to some tourists, especially on rough sea days. On the other hand, due to the impact of the pandemic, tourists are gradually switching to traveling by air to limit contact. But the biggest advantage of traveling by air is the opportunity to admire the beautiful scenery from above, even with just a short flight of 8 minutes.
Takeoff
Taking off from Princess Juliana International Airport in Sint Maarten, the flight is not more than 300m high, giving visitors a panoramic view of the emerald green Caribbean Sea, along with long curves of white sand beaches. After takeoff eastward across Simpson Bay, the plane turned northward and along the narrow strip of land along Rue de Sandy Ground, before heading north and landing in Anguilla.
Passing through the southern coast, the plane will land around the main port of Blowing Point on the island of Anguilla. Here, visitors will take the final leg to Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport, with a total flight time of only about 8-10 minutes from take-off in Sint Maarten.
In addition to tourism, the aviation industry on the island also makes important contributions to supporting the local community, especially for fishermen fishing offshore. Thomas said that whenever he receives a call informing him that the fishermen are missing, he and his team will organize a search and rescue. He added that the company has also organized flights to transport medical supplies, and at the same time evacuated and supported patient transportation during the COVID-19 pandemic. "We are ready to provide ventilators to the hospital area if necessary."
In indispensable aviation heritage
Although it is home to large villas and some of the leading luxury hotels in the Caribbean, Anguilla is not an island with a developed economy.
Thomas comes from a poor family living in a valley near the airport. He had to work part-time to earn money to cover pilot training fees in the Virgin Islands, USA. He even had no experience in contact with airplanes before attending a course. He returned to Anguilla after graduating in 1988.
After graduating, my friends became pilots and flight operators on transcontinental flights. I would rather return to my hometown, since 1988, I have never left my hometown and I am still enjoying life" - he said.
Thomas has a son and a daughter, both of whom are studying a pilot training course in Florida. I have never encouraged them to study this major, I want them to choose their own path, but they both told me that they are determined to become pilots, Thomas said.
Despite many difficulties, more and more people are willing to contribute to the development of Anguilla's aviation industry, especially for young people.
Flights to the island are increasing. In November, Cape Air deployed flights from the Virgin Islands to Anguilla, while American Airlines officially introduced direct flights from Miami to the island. Even during peak season, the flight route at Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport has become a cradle for private jets.
It is undeniable that the world's shortest flights, lasting 8 minutes between Anguilla and Sint Maarten, have been, are and will be an important link between the two neighboring territories, as well as become an indispensable aviation heritage of this small island.
