Operations are going smoothly at Princess Juliana Airport in St. Maarten since its reopening to commercial flights on Oct. 10, according to Rolando Brison, St. Maarten's director of tourism.

"We have large canopies in the waiting area after departing passengers go through the security procedures," Brison said. "From there they are bused to the planes on the tarmac. Arriving passengers clear immigration, pick up their bags in a holding area because our baggage carousels are not yet working, they exit and taxis are waiting for them."

Current service includes a daily flight from Miami on American, a daily flight from Atlanta on Delta, and two flights a day on Seaborne from San Juan.

"We expect JetBlue to start with two flights a week from JFK on Nov. 1," the director said, adding that carriers will ramp up their schedules gradually, based on travel demand.

Airport repairs, which are being done in phases, should be completed by next June.

"Flights continue to be a daytime operation, although we expect to have the runway lights operating by Nov. 15 to allow for nighttime landings and takeoffs," Brison said.

The curfew has ended in St. Maarten although a dusk-to-dawn curfew remains in effect on French St. Martin.

"Every day we see more restaurants and shops reopening, especially in Philipsburg. All roads are now accessible, car rentals are available, the beaches are open and the island is beginning to green up again," he said.

Close to 30% of room inventory now is available. St. Maarten before Hurricane Irma had 4,000 guestrooms, including hotels and timeshare units.

"We expect to be at 50% of inventory by March," Brison said.

The cruise port reopens Nov. 5 with a visit from Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas. Cruise ships are expected daily after that, with calls by Carnival and MSC Cruises, among others.

Minister of tourism Melissa Arrindell-Doncher said there will be activities for cruise passengers, including Segway tours, dining, shopping and tour buses to local attractions and beaches.

Most of the island has had power and water restored.

"We are open now but visitors have to realize we have come through an enormous, powerful storm and the island is in the midst of recovery. Those who have been to St. Maarten before will certainly see a difference, but we are well on our way toward full recovery. I see progress from one day to the next," Arrindell-Doncher said.

By February or March, "We will have a very nice tourism product to offer to our visitors," she said.

On schedule is the annual Heineken Regatta, March 1-4, and a music festival, March 14-18.