Irion: PJIA agreements to be signed in coming days | THE DAILY HERALD

The Council of Ministers, NRPB and other persons during the session at PJIA.

 

AIRPORT–Finance Minister Ardwell Irion is confident that the relevant agreements related to the reconstruction of the terminal building of Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) can be signed within the next few days.

  “There are some final legal hurdles that we have to take, but I’m confident that with the support of all involved parties, including the bondholders of the airport, we are able to sign the relevant agreements in the coming days,” Irion was quoted as saying in a press release issued by the National Recovery and Programme Bureau (NRPB) on Sunday.

  PJIA’s project team showcased how new technology is incorporated in the designs of the terminal reconstruction project during a meeting with members of the Council of Ministers during onsite presentation at the airport on Wednesday, November 20. The presentation included the phased plan approach for the full reconstruction of the new terminal building.

  The presentation was followed by a walk-through tour of the present facility and the temporary extension in the departure hall. This extension was realised to assist with the forecast capacity increase during the upcoming winter season. An additional 250 seats will be made available, with a bar, restrooms and 2.5 additional gates.

  Improvements will include three additional gates to the terminal, baggage belt upgrades, check-in kiosks, and the addition of new escalators and elevators to provide better access for the physically impaired, NRPB said in its release. These upgrades will enhance the passenger experience, help to efficiently manage the flow of passengers and will prepare the terminal for US preclearance, it was stated in the release.

  “This project is more than just building back an airport facility,” NRPB Director Claret Connor said after the tour. “We are enhancing our destination and this will have a positive trickle-down effect to the life of each and every resident of Sint Maarten.”

  In describing the improvements, Airport Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Brian Mingo said the airport is the engine to Sint Maarten’s tourism product. “So, we need to give our visitors that great passenger experience. With the efforts of rebuilding the entire structure, including the addition of new automation services, we will strive to recapture our title as one of the best airports in the Caribbean.”

  Following the visit on Wednesday, the Council of Ministers, NRPB and PJIAE continued working on pending matters with regard to the financing of the Airport Terminal Reconstruction Project. In accordance with the 2019 budget of the government of Sint Maarten, the funds for the remodelling of the airport terminal are being secured through a grant agreement of US $72 million from the Dutch financed Sint Maarten Trust Fund, and US $50 million from the European Investment Bank (EIB).

  During their first week in office, the Jacobs Cabinet made the reconstruction of PJIA their first order of business, meeting with NRPB on Tuesday, November 19, and the Airport Managing Board and Project Management Team to discuss the status of the legal agreements for the Airport Terminal Reconstruction Project. During the meeting, the Council of Ministers received detailed presentations on the legal and financial aspects of the project that serves to rehabilitate the badly damaged terminal building, NRPB said in the release.

  Following Tuesday’s meeting, Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs thanked NRPB and the Airport for their “clear presentations, noting, “It is unfortunate that the legal advisors of the bondholders have stalled the process which would have allowed us to be much further along with many agreements needed to finalize our airport reconstruction.”

Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/92725-irion-pjia-agreements-to-be-signed-in-coming-days

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