SIMPSON BAY:--- Managing Director of Princess Juliana Int'l Airport operating company N.V. (PJIAE), Regina LaBega, met last week with the President of the Collectivité of St. Martin, Hon. Alain Richardson at the president's office in what she described as "very important and positive discussions related to cooperation" between both halves of the island.
Former Commissioner of Tourism in the North, Romeo Fleming, facilitated the meeting, convened at the initiative of the managing director. The "delegate" in charge of Economic Affairs in the new administration in Marigot, Jeanne Rogers-Vanterpool, also attended the meeting.
"SXM is a hub airport and we would like you to feel that it's your airport also," LaBega told the President of the Collectivité.
LaBega said that both parties agreed to cooperate in a number of areas, including the sharing of statistical data, and the setting up of a joint information booth at the airport between the tourist offices of both halves of the island.
LaBega further stated that it was agreed that Princess Juliana Int'l Airport would extend similar protocol courtesies to relevant officials of the Collectivité as is done with representatives of the government in Philipsburg.
Another point of mutual cooperation was in the area of General Aviation aircraft. "We agreed that if there is no space at our airport to accommodate these aircrafts, they would be sent to the Grand Case airport rather than to other airports on neighboring islands," LaBega revealed.
For his part, President Richardson stated that there should be a synergy between Grand Case airport and Princess Juliana Int'l Airport, and he looks forward to seeing both entities working together in the near future.
