Weekly 298_Mise en page 1 03/02/14 17:24 Page1 FREE Local News St-Barth in English EEKLYPublished by Le Journal de Saint-Barth N°298 - February 6, 2014 2014 6, February - N°298 W 05 90 27 65 19 - [email protected] SCULPTOR DAVE STEVENSON'S STAINLESS STEEL VERSION OF RAPTOR Weekly 298_Mise en page 1 03/02/14 17:24 Page2 2 St Barth Weekly n°298 Gustave III Airport Reaches Pre-Crisis Level Of Traffic For the third consecutive year, traffic at the St Barth airport increased in 2013, with 162,640 passengers: a higher figure than that of 2008. ket, and a 9% increase last year. St Barth Commuter had 40,034 passengers in 2013, for an increase of 8/8%. Based in Saint Barth, this airline counts for 25% of the activity at the local airport. In terms of number of flights, Winair represents just 30.5%, slightly more than Barth Com- ast year Gustave III Airport 4,000 passengers. At the same muter (30.3%), which means the L marked its third consecu- time, there was a strong jump in Winair flights are generally fuller tive year of increased traf- traffic to Juliana: +8% (104,976 than those of St Barth Commuter, fic, according to a report from the passengers). The destinations of which continues to serve Grand director. With a total of 162,640 San Juan (Puerto Rico) and Case in Saint Martin. And the commercial passengers—com- Antigua were “the most dynamic smaller St Barth Commuter planes bined arrivals and departures—a markets,” indicates the director of (Britten-Norman Islander) have 6.9% increase represents 10,512 the airport. Traffic to Puerto Rico fewer passengers. Two other com- additional passengers. This brings increased by 41/2%, or total of panies are also star companies are the number over that of 2008, 9462 passengers; Antigua jumped also starting to spread their wings. before the financial crisis, when by 41.9% to 2099 passengers. Air Antilles Express, which saw the airport saw 162,278 passen- an increase of 53.8%, with 19,088 gers. The airport confirmed a signifi- passengers and 12% of the airport cant increase of flights as well, traffic. Tradewind Aviation, This increase in passengers was with 34,556 take-offs and land- which saw a jump of 49%, or primarily international, which rep- ings, with a peak of 223 fights on 10,874 passengers and 7% of the resents two-thirds of the overall December 23. And no less than 42 traffic at the airport. Air Caraïbes, traffic, with a 10.5% hike, or flights in one hour on the after- which stopped flying to St Barth 120,386 passengers. National con- noon of December 28. in June 2013, naturally saw a nections (with Saint Martin, decline of 48.9%, although they Grand-Case, or Guadeloupe) Principal Airlines All Experience did have 8,996 passengers for the decreased by 2%, to 42,254 pas- An Increase first six months of the year. This sengers, with Pointe-à-Pitre alone The 6.9% jump in traffic at Gus- helped Air Antilles, which now losing 1.6% last year, even though tave III Airport in 2013 benefitted flies between Pointe-à-Pitre and it had improved the year before. all the principal airlines serving Saint Barth, with a code share The loss of passengers heading to the destination, according to the with Air Caraïbes. The airlines Grand-Case in Saint Martin con- figures provide by the airport. flying to Anguilla—Windward tinues, with a new loss of 3.1%, With 76,423 passengers last year, Express, Trans Anguilla Airways, and during the past three years Winair continues to have the Anguilla Air Services—all saw a that destination lost more than lion’s share with 47% of the mar- decline in numbers. Weekly 298_Mise en page 1 03/02/14 17:24 Page3 Weekly 298_Mise en page 1 03/02/14 17:24 Page4 St Barth Weekly n°298 4 Voyager Announces Direct Link To Juliana As of February 5, Voyager planned to start its new daily round-trip ferry service between Saint Barth and Juliana Airport via Simpson Bay lagoon. ake the ferry to 10:15am; Return: T Saint Martin. Just 4:15pm. Time of trip a few minutes lat- aboard the Voyager III, er you are in the terminal door to door: one hour. at Juliana Airport. That The company did a dry should now be possible run on Wednesday, Jan- thanks to a new ferry uary 29: “A positive tri- service offered by Voy- al,” says Jean-Claude ager, with a direct link to Latournerie, director of Juliana from Saint Barth the company. The first on a daily basis. The commercial trip was olutionary,” promises to open its own security boat will enter Simpson planned for February 5. Latournerie, who notes post for clients as they Bay lagoon to reach the that a new pedestrian embark or disembark dock next to the airport “For residents of Saint walkway will lead to the from the ferry. But, pas- parking lot. Departure Barth, as well as terminal. “Passengers sengers must have a from Saint Barth tourists, this will be rev- will only have to walk valid passport for immi- 500 feet,” he adds. “The gration in Sint Maarten, same distance as if they as there will be an offi- left their car in the park- cial control for arrivals ing lot.” For those who and departures as there cannot, or do not want is in Philipsburg, for to walk that distance on example. In addition to foot, or if they have too business class, Voyager much baggage, there also plans a VIP service will be a shuttle to bring passengers as between the dock and far as the terminal take the terminal. care of immigration and checking in of their The company also plans baggage. Weekly 298_Mise en page 1 03/02/14 17:24 Page5 St Barth Weekly n°298 5 NEWS FROM THE ANGLICAN CHURCH he Anglican Church in Gus- T tavia has announced a busy lineup of activities for the next few weeks, in addition to its regular Sunday morning worship service at 9am. New events include a Taizé* service, featuring medita- tive chant in a peaceful, candlelit setting, on Tuesday, February 18 at 7pm. On a lighter note, there will be Games In The Garden, with cro- quet and Scrabble at 10am on Sun- day, February 9, and the newly formed Bestseller Book Group will 10am, the Thursday evening Medi- of worship was created by Brother meet on Monday, February 10 with tation Group at 7pm, and weekly Roger in 1949. The Taizé commu- Julian Barnes’ “The Sense of an Alcoholics Anonymous meetings nity seeks to include all traditions, Ending,” and Michael Ondatjee’s on Tuesday at 6pm. For additional and demonstrates this in its music “The English Patient” on Monday, information on all events, please and prayers where songs are sung February 24. The book group email: in many languages, including meets at 6pm. Other ongoing [email protected] chants from the Catholic and East- events include the Wednesday *Taizé started as a religious com- ern Orthodox traditions morning Spirituality Group at munity in France, where this form © Edmund Gudenas Weekly 298_Mise en page 1 03/02/14 17:24 Page6 6 St Barth Weekly n°298 DAVE STEVENSON: NEW STAINLESS STEEL & BRONZE SCULPTURES AT LES ARTISANS “Ah, the elusive Méduse, reptilian Raptor, and keel-crushing Chimaera… churning the primordial sea of St Barth with mischievous delight! During daily swims last winter, I tan- gled with enough tentacles to sink an aircraft carrier. This February 7, find out what fogs up the goggles of my imagination at 20,000 Leagues Under Saline, the Jules Vernissage.” Dave Stevenson ave Stevenson’s three times. The D (www.artinjec- “triplets” were then tion.com) annual joined together to form a exhibit at Les Artisans in new piece. St Barth marks the debut of his first stainless steel St Barth has long been series, Raptor and the artist’s favorite island Chimera (both are limit- to soak up inspiration and ed editions of seven). photograph new work. “The cool, austere char- His sculptures seem as acter of steel is perfectly comfortable in the water suited to the sci-fi/futur- as he is. “When I throw istic appeal of these mys- them into the sea, they terious sculptures,” says leap right out of it like a the artist, who will also gymnast on a surfboard present his first modular (a cephalopod-gymnast, bronze sculpture series, that is). Like me, the Méduse, a limited edition ocean is where they are of twelve. Presaged by most at home,” quips last year’s Raptor Rising Stevenson. sculpture for a private appears at the opening of Triptych*, Méduse was sculpture garden in PA. the films True Lies and created by molding a This past October, the In 2012, Stevenson Strange Days. In 2005, small section of his Nau- sculptor completed a received a Creative Grant the artist was commis- tilus sculpture, and repro- monumental, eight-foot- from the Northern Man- sioned by acclaimed ducing it high commissioned hattan Arts Alliance to DVD producer Van Ling bronze enlargement of support his Raptor Rising to commemorate the cre- his original 22” Nautilus triptych project. Corpo- ation of Paramount/ rate collections include Fox’s Titanic: Special the New York City head- Collector’s Edition DVD quarters of Pfizer Inc, set. and the office of film director James Cameron. Opening reception: The stainless steel wall- Les Artisans: Friday, Bronze relief Stevenson created Chimaera Vs.