PHILIPSBURG — Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIAE), the main airport on Saint Martin-Sint Maarten, has announced the hiring of an engineering firm to begin reconstruction on the terminal building project. Construction work is scheduled to begin in 2021.
PJIAE announced that the site preparation work will begin within a few weeks, around the middle of November. PJIAE awarded AAR International a critical part of the site preparation work for the reconstruction to begin.
This work includes: mold cleanup and remediation, surface decontamination and waste disposal management for the non-operational areas of the terminal building. It is expected that this project will create work for about 60 local people at Princess Juliana airport.
AAR International, the American-based company that won the tender, provided the best technical and financially acceptable proposal for the mold removal and waste disposal work. The site preparation work are part of the Airport Terminal Reconstruction Project, which consists of the preliminary work needed to get the construction site ready for building and development.
“PJIAEs main goal is to rebuild the airport of the future, to support Sint Maarten’s long-term sustainable growth and, in the short-term, create opportunities for local employment within the reconstruction industry, and with it, the livelihoods of many families. I am therefore grateful to see that our new partner AAR International has already started the employment process for approximately 60 local workers to start the site preparation works,” CEO Brian Mingo said.
The upcoming remediation and waste disposal work by AAR International will include the clean-up of the remainder of most of the non-operational areas, which is expected to be completed within 150 working days.
As the contracted company is set to establish its office in Sint Maarten by November 13, 2020, the Project Management Unit at PJIAE is already busy with another pre-construction project, which involves the reinstatement of the fire sprinkler system. The sprinkler system is the Airport’s first line of defense in the event of a fire during the reconstruction period.
The renovation project of the SXM Terminal, which was severely damaged by hurricane Irma in 2017, is in full motion, and will include major upgrades, such as; the full automation of Border Control, additional escalators at all gates for an improved passenger experience, upgraded and more efficient check-in counters, improved relocated car rental booths, and a strong focus on creating Sint Maarten’s visual, cultural and environmental “Sense of Place” characteristics in the terminal. It includes the addition of retail, and food & beverage spaces, offering more opportunities for authentic local products. For updates on the live flight information or the winter flight schedule visit the Airport’s website at www.sxmairport.com