Tuesday, July 11, 2006

How to Get There

Way back when, Wallblake Airport on Anguilla was small with a very short runway. No planes carrying more than 35 or so people could land. American Airlines had a great schedule with several afternoon/early evening flights from San Juan.

We left BWI at 7AM on American Airlines, which up until this year was my choice of airline. Arrival at San Juan was about 11:15. The plane for Anguilla (puddle jumper) left about 1:55P. One hour, and one drink later you were on Anguilla.

No later than 3P we were in Skiffles Villas, being shown around by the care taker and his wife.

Last year Wallblake airport was enlarged to accommodate larger planes. Apparently some threats from American Airlines to the government of Anguilla accomplished this. So what American has chosen to do is fly one larger plane a day instead of several smaller planes. So, as mentioned in an earlier post that means that you wile away your entire late morning/afternoon/early evening sitting in the airport in San Juan only to arrive to Anguilla 7PM or later. Who thought of this awful scheduling? What a horrible move on American Airline's part.

With St. Martin a twenty minute ferry ride, or 5 minute charter airplane ride away I imagine that American is losing quite a bit of money. Read the forums, a lot of people are now opting to fly to the airport on St. Martin and take a ferry. There are several private ferry's and a public ferry. Taking the public ferry means taking a taxi ride or private car from the Dutch side of St. Martin, where the airport is, to the French side to Marigot where the public ferry dock is. Several private ferry services are available between St. Martin and Anguilla that leave from the airport directly.