Parliament’s adoption of a motion to reassure the bondholders is an important step to secure funding for the already-long-overdue rebuilding of Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA). Much of Monday’s meeting focussed on why the coalition of 10 that supports the current Council of Ministers had not backed a similar motion by former SMCP faction member Claude Peterson a month ago.
There were accusations of “playing politics” with this crucial matter for the local tourism economy from both sides of the aisle, but that’s all water under the proverbial bridge. Unanimous approval in the end was important after all that’s happened, removing any doubt that the St. Maarten government – caretaker, interim or otherwise – is fully authorised to sign the relevant agreements.
Originally the goal had been to complete work on the terminal by the 2020/2021 high season, but that’s no longer possible. Once the financing is firmly in place a tendering process that may take three to four months can start early next year, followed by about 18 months of construction.
So, realistically the job won’t be finished until the 2021/2022 season, even though arrivals are expected to rebound further from 60 per cent of 2006 pre-Hurricane Irma levels this year to 80 per cent in 2020. Intermediate measures are underway to enhance capacity and address this increase in traffic starting this winter, including a departure hall extension and addition of 250 seats, a bar, restrooms and 2.5 additional gates.
The project itself will also be executed in phases, so that certain parts become available along the way. The latter is a reassuring thought, but ultimately only a full-fledged restoration of the entire island’s main gateway will do.
The sooner, the better.
