Simpson Bay, – Safety, security, environment, efficiency, customer service and economic development are key priorities of SXM Airport. PJIAE management is committed to restoring the airport’s award-winning service and will continue to keep the community informed of its progress.
In this regard, management continues to take stakeholders’ requirements into account as the reconstruction activities for the restoration of the airport terminal facilities move ahead.
“We acknowledge that this is a challenging endeavor that involves many elements. Management has committed itself to maintaining communication with the community of St. Maarten regarding the rebuilding of the airport terminal”, acting CEO, Mr. Ravi Daryanani said in a press release.
Monthly meetings with stakeholders continue to take place. During these meetings, operators of the major hotels as well as the Ministry of TEATT discuss and plan for the upcoming tourism season. Restoration of our tourism product is critical to St. Maarten’s overall economic recovery, Daryanani added.
“SXM Airport has not faced such a multi-faceted challenge before. Glitches or inconveniences occur, and we try to solve each as practically as possible”, the acting CEO stated.
During the peak of the summer, temperatures are high, and we are working on solutions to maintain the temporary pavilions as comfortable as possible, he continued. Especially for the upcoming months of August and September, PJIAE management will increase the air conditioning effectiveness by installing air curtains above the doors/gates to stop heat from entering the room. The airport will also position additional cooling devices such as bigger, stand-up fans throughout the pavilions for maximum, powerful air circulation.
“We appreciate the patience and understanding that our stakeholders and passengers continue to demonstrate while using the temporary facilities, and we commit ourselves to improving the comfort and service at these pavilions,” the acting CEO said.
Resuming use of the terminal building and revamping the current FBO property is scheduled for November of this year. The following is a summary of the planned activities in support of the 2018 – 2019 tourist season.
Terminal
To satisfy the requirements of our stakeholders and to improve service to our passengers and guests, PJIAE intends to put a section of the ground floor in the terminal building back into use. This will be a temporary measure to allow PJIAE to accommodate the airlines’ schedules for the upcoming Winter Season. Passenger comfort and service will be much enhanced in the terminal building as compared to the pavilions. The temporary terminal solution will not delay or obstruct the overall reconstruction of the terminal facilities that is slated to start in October 2018
The recent completion of the waterproofing works on the roof of the terminal building makes this temporary solution possible. Our priority is to ensure the safety and health of every person using the terminal building. We therefore must guarantee that the facility is free of harmful mold. Mold remediation activities will start in August 2018 and take six weeks to complete.
Mold remediation work will be supervised and certified by specialized international experts. Local workers will be used to execute these works. PJIAE estimates that between 80 and 100 persons will be employed and trained by the contractor for the mold remediation activities. Once the mold remediation is completed and PJIAE receives the international certification, the next phase of reconstruction, terminal reconstruction will commence.
Local contractors were invited to express their interest for this project and PJIAE has prequalified five contractors who will now enter the bidding phase. The international engineering firm CORGAN has been selected to conduct the project management.
FBO
The FBO (Fixed Base Operation) represents a critical element of PJIAE’s services to general aviation stakeholders and guests. SXM Airport believes it is imperative to give the current FBO facility an uplift/remodeling to enhance the facility which will eventually improve the operational flow, comfort level, perception of an FBO, working environment amongst many other things which are crucial factors for this niche market. The experience will also deter operators/ owners from using other FBOs located on neighboring islands thus choosing SXM Airport as the preferred airport for processing/stay over.
