Today’s news that the rebuilding of Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) can start after the go-ahead was given in Washington DC (see related story) is most welcome. There had been some concern because a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) from the Schiphol Group appointed as a condition for the necessary funding recently resigned.
Apparently, that was no longer a big deal for those directly involved, while the also-required screening of board members is said to be well underway. With a US $72 million grant from the Dutch-sponsored Trust Fund administered by the World Bank and a US $50 million soft loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB), the terminal will not only be restored to its former glory but made more hurricane-resistant as well.
Following the bidding process, work is to start in the third quarter of this year and take some18 to 22 months. This means that, realistically speaking, the project won’t be completed until after the 2021/2022 high season.
However, it was indicated earlier that certain renovated parts could be put back into use in phases during construction. That will – in the meantime – hopefully help alleviate the congestion at peak periods especially among incoming passengers needing to wait in line outside the complex before passing through Immigration.
Many would have no doubt liked to see all this happen much more quickly, but that is now little more than proverbial water under the bridge. Everything must be done to prevent any further delay in this crucial matter so the island’s main gateway and regional hub can again fully play its prominent role in the travel industry sooner rather than later.
