Progress at airport continues

PHILIPSBURG — Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication (TEATT) Mellissa Arrindell-Doncher on Thursday said Management of the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) is completing the insurance phase of the repairs at the airport and progress is continuing.

Arrindell-Doncher said the repairs and reconstruction of the PJIA will focus on hurricane resistance and ensure that the structures withstand Category 5+ storms in the future, as much as that is possible. The minister has requested that management ensure that he best standards are used for the reconstruction process. Information on this 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 PJIA suffered water damages while in specific areas there has been physical damages resulting 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.