Confirmation of approximately 10.5 million Caribbean guilders for a Meteorology and Civil Aviation building (see Tuesday newspaper) in the draft 20027 budget was most welcome. Its part of Cg. 22.5 million in capital expenditures under the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) strategic objective covering economic relief and consumer protection.
The importance of this matter cannot be overstated, especially with the ministry’s target reported on in the same edition of a 17% hike in visitor arrivals and adding at least one new source market next year. Airlift is obviously essential to achieve those goals.
Up to now both air traffic controllers and the met office have coped remarkably well with increased responsibility strong stay-over tourism growth brings especially to an island in the so-called hurricane belt. They did so using available resources, but a new facility is long overdue.
Also considering the hub function of Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA), this appears to be a worthwhile investment. Windward Islands Airways International Winair no doubt plays a key role in that sense too.
The local company recently completed both the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and IATA Standard Safety Assessment (ISSA) programmes, providing globally recognised credentials across two aircraft types. It’s apparently the only current Caribbean carrier registered at IOSA.
This may also strengthen Winair’s ability to pursue additional code-share and interline agreements with international airlines, so passengers are able to book connecting journeys involving multiple carriers through a more integrated itinerary. Management said expanded partnerships could improve access to Europe, North America, South America and elsewhere in the region.
What might make all this even better is for St. Maarten to regain US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Category 1 status which was lost after dismantling the former Netherlands Antilles per 10-10-10. The latter would again allow Winair’s planes access to American territory including the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
Several related steps like a passenger fee to help offset the cost of additional oversight, personnel, training and equipment needed to comply with the applicable standards have already been taken. Such efforts should continue unabated, because over a decade-and-a-half later its high time to finish the job.
