Sint Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport Re-Opens

PHILIPSBURG – Sint Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport was officially reopened  following extensive rehabilitation after it was destroyed by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 and 2018 respectively.

sintfreeNew plaque unveiled for refurbished airport in Sint Maarten“The Princess Juliana International Airport stands as a symbol of Sint Maarten’s resilience and pride,”  said Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina, noting that “her remarkable restoration doesn’t just open doors for more visitors to experience our vibrant island; it unlocks new business opportunities and strengthens our ties across the region, enhancing connectivity and making travel more seamless with our neighboring islands.

“This is more than an airport , it’s the gateway to Sint Maarten’s boundless potential,” he added.

The destruction of the airport, a key connection hub for neighbouring countries, severely impacted local revenue on the tourism-dependent island.

The airport terminal reconstruction was financed through US$92 million from the World Bank-managed Sint Maarten Reconstruction, Resilience and Recovery Trust Fund, comprising a grant from the government of the Netherlands and a US$50 million loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB).

The EIB’s support for the reconstruction of Sint Maarten’s airport embodies the ‘build back better’ approach, enhancing its resilience to extreme weather events, which are unfortunately becoming stronger due to climate change.

“We’re very optimistic that the renovated airport will contribute to the economic growth on Sint Maarten,” said EIB Vice-President Robert de Groot.

World Bank Director for the Caribbean, Lilia Burunciuc, said the recommissioning of the Princess Juliana International Airport marks a major milestone in Sint Maarten’s recovery journey.

“This critical infrastructure will stimulate economic growth, facilitate tourism, and enhance regional connectivity,” Burunciuc added.

The initiative was facilitated by on-lending agreements between the St Maarten government and the Princess Juliana International Airport Operating Company’s own funds.

The authorities said that the refurbishment has restored the airport’s operating capacity to pre-hurricane levels and enhanced the resilience and quality of service provided by this critical infrastructure.

They said this new airport will boost local business opportunities through tourism and travel, promoting economic resilience.

The reconstruction focused on airport terminals and facilities, the installation of resilient and energy-efficient systems and enhanced safety and security measures. The new airport also features replaced and upgraded equipment, including passenger boarding bridges, self-service baggage drop and baggage handling systems, security screening equipment, and digital signage.