St. Martin News Network - St. Maarten

THE COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN: PJIAE Announces Arrival Hall Progress and Completion Timeline.

pjiaearrival02052024 Simpson Bay:--- The Princess Juliana International Airport Operating Company N.V. (PJIAE) is thrilled to announce significant progress on the new terminal building project. Following the successful opening of the check-in area and departure hall in January 2024, the focus has shifted to completing the much-anticipated Arrival Hall.

Passengers can look forward to a more welcoming and efficient arrival experience. The new Arrival Hall will include:

Improved baggage handling systems for faster retrieval
Streamlined immigration and customs processes to minimize waiting time
Enhanced passenger facilities for a more comfortable arrival

Phase III of construction aligns with PJIAE's commitment to optimizing passenger flow. By the end of the third quarter of 2024, the entire terminal building – including the Arrival Hall – will be operational, well in time for the peak holiday season, which kicks off in November.

CEO Brian Ming comments: "I'm incredibly proud of everything our team has accomplished. We're ready to start the countdown to our grand opening in November this year. In a few months, our Princess will shine like a diamond. St. Maarten will once again be one of the leading destinations in the region. More and more passengers will visit our beautiful island, benefiting the whole community.”

Prioritizing a Seamless Travel Experience

PJIAE understands the importance of minimizing disruptions during this final phase. The team is dedicated to careful planning and collaboration to ensure ongoing airport operations are unaffected and travelers continue to enjoy an -as smooth as possible- travel experience.

Gratitude for Continued Support

PJIAE extends its sincere gratitude to employees, travelers, and the entire airport community for their ongoing understanding and cooperation. Together, we are building a brighter future for Princess Juliana International Airport – "Reopening with Excellence."

Celebrate 80 years of Princess Juliana Airport.

As the airport eagerly approaches its 80th birthday, preparations are underway for a royal celebration later in 2024. The milestone event is set to honor the airport's rich legacy of connecting people and cultures across the globe. With a blend of historical reverence and forward-looking optimism, the 80th birthday celebration will be a royal celebration, reflecting the airport's enduring commitment to innovation, efficiency, and sustainability in the years to come.

Kingdom Relations Committee pays working visit to Caribbean.

THE HAGUE:--- From Sunday, 5 May to Thursday, 9 May 2024, the Kingdom Relations Committee of the House of Representatives of the States General will pay a working visit to Saba, St. Eustatius, and Sint Maarten. The working visit is dedicated to the first introduction of the new spokespersons with the islands. Subjects such as economic developments, sustainability, education, health care, housing, and the history of slavery are discussed.

The delegation consists of the members of the House of Representatives:
W. Paulusma D66 (Chairman of the Standing Committee on Kingdom Relations)
J.P. van Haasen (PVV)
R.J. White (GroenLinks/PvdA)
I.J.M. Michon-Derkzen (VVD)
F.H. Bruyning (NSC)

At the beginning of 2025, the committee members plan to visit the other three islands of the Caribbean part of the Kingdom (Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire) in combination with the Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultation.

A brief overview of the program:
Sunday 5 May – Travel Amsterdam-Sint Maarten-Saba.

Monday 6 May – Saba: meetings and visits regarding the subjects of economic development, housing, sustainability, and connectivity.

Tuesday 7 May – St. Eustatius: meetings and visits regarding health care, education, and slavery history.

Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 May – Sint Maarten: meetings and visits regarding housing, reconstruction after hurricanes, economic development, and social connectivity. Return journey to the Netherlands (arrival Friday).

Young biker dies in road accident.

scooteraccident02052024 PHILIPSBURG:--- At about 01.30 am, police received a call concerning an accident that took place on Brouwers Road, close to the roundabout in the vicinity of Índigo Bay, where a scooter rider lost his life.
The young man, about 20 years old, lost control while going towards Cole Bay and slammed into an oncoming vehicle. He has not been identified as yet. Police only have information that he is from the French side. An investigation is being made more difficult, seeing that other riders attempted to go with the scooter at the accident scene. Further details will be given as the investigation progresses.

Labor Day Message WICSU-PSU.

~Happy Labor Day to the members of WICSU-PSU and All workers on St. Maarten.~

PHILIPSBURG:--- On this Labor Day, May 1, 2024, we extend warm greetings to all hardworking members of the Windward Island Civil Servants Union - Private Sector Union and all workers on St. Maarten. Today, as we commemorate the invaluable contributions of workers, let us reflect on the resilience, dedication, and perseverance that define our labor force.

Amidst challenges and triumphs, our union stands as a beacon of solidarity, advocating for the rights and welfare of every member. Together, we have achieved significant milestones, yet our journey towards a fair and just workplace continues.

As we celebrate this day, let us renew our commitment to unity and empowerment. Let us strive for better working conditions, equitable opportunities, and respect for labor rights. Our collective efforts shape the fabric of our society, driving progress and prosperity for all.
We commend each one of you for your unwavering commitment to excellence. Your hard work fuels the engine of our nation's economy, and your dedication inspires us all.

President of the WICSU-PSU Sharon Cangieter - “Today, and every day, let us stand tall and proud as champions of labor rights and social justice.
Happy Labor Day to the remarkable Windward Island Civil Servants Union - Private Sector Union members. We look forward to the day when the Labor Day recognition can be celebrated as an individual celebration, maybe even in the form of a parade to commemorate all workers. Together, let us continue to build a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come."

In Unity
The Board of the Windward Island Civil Servants Union - Private Sector Union

Open Day Marine Barracks Savaneta.

WILLEMSTAD:--- On Wednesday, 1 May, the annual Open Day Marine Barracks Savaneta took place from 10:00 o’clock till 16:00 hrs. The Royal Navy opened its doors to the public with a varied program for young and old.

The open day offered an extensive range of activities and demonstrations, giving visitors a unique insight into the work of partners from Defense and Safety. The Marine Corps, Royal Military Police, Caribbean Coast Guard, Disaster Management Office Aruba, and the Police Corps Aruba were present to demonstrate their offerings.

Some highlights of the day included the impressive parachute jumps by the Defense Paraschool, the charities supported with various actions, and the berets divided among children. The charities supported by the event were ‘CasMarie Centro di Encuentro pa Persona cu Demencia and Centro di Bario (CdB) Savaneta. (A meeting Centre for persons with Dementia and a neighborhood Centre).

During the day, two land and two water demonstrations took place, during which various scenarios were reenacted. Besides the demonstrations, there was live music, and the market and the food stalls provided visitors with treats and souvenirs to take home.

The success of the Open Day Marine Barracks Savaneta is thanks to the efforts of everyone involved and the enthusiastic participation of the public. The event not only helped raise awareness of the work of Defense and Emergency services but also provided valuable support to two local charities. See you next year on May 1st, 2025!