The temporary situation at Princess Juliana International Airport SXM.
PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Mellissa Arrindell-Doncher said on Thursday that management of Princess Juliana International Airport SXM is completing the insurance phase of the repairs at the Airport and progress continues.
The Airport management remains quiet, as visitors and residents are not happy with the general look of the multi-million-dollar facility.
The Daily Herald requested information from Managing Director and Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Michel Hyman on October 22 about the status of the airport, but no answers were received to date.
Minister Doncher said in a press release that repairs and reconstruction of the Airport will focus on hurricane resistance and ensure that the structures withstand Category 5+ storms in the future, as much as that is possible. She has requested that management ensure that the best standards are used for the reconstruction process. Information on its progress will be forthcoming.
In the meantime, larger temporary structures will be put in place to offer the most comfortable possible service to visitors and residents as they arrive and depart the Airport. Runway lights are also expected to be installed shortly. The Minister reminded that all areas at the Airport suffered water damage, while there was physical damage in specific areas from flying objects and parts of the falling ceiling throughout the terminal building.
Airport management, she continued, will follow an established recovery process, executed in phases, with the aim of quickly resuming normal operations.
