Simpson Bay:--- The Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) ushered in the New Year by flying the flags of the various countries and territories it services as an international airport.The mounting of the 31 flags began Thursday night, December 29, 2011, on light poles that arch around the road leading to the airport, starting in the area of WINAIR offices with the St. Maarten flag, and up to the poles around the FBO facilities.
The flags represent St. Maarten, Saba, St. Eustatius, Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, the hub islands, (Anguilla, St. Barths), other Caribbean countries and territories, destinations in Central and South America (e.g. Panama, Brazil), the USA and Canada as well as Europe.
"The idea of the flags is in recognition of the international character of PJIA, and a visual as well as concrete way to acknowledge all the destinations we service," said managing director, Regina LaBega.
"We have been receiving very positive comments about the flags, not just about how colorful and beautiful they look, but also about the educational value to both young and not so young people of our island," she added.