St. Maarten Airport To Expand Genav Terminal

As it works to normalize operations following the ravages of last year’s Hurricanes Irma and Maria, St. Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport is preparing to upgrade its general aviation terminal (GAT), which is home to FBOs from Execujet and Signature Flight Support affiliate Arrindell Aviation. The airport authority had previously intended to construct a new GA facility, going as far as conducting a ground-breaking ceremony last year, but with the continued efforts to rebuild the commercial terminal that was rendered unusable by the storms, it has had a change in plans.

Instead, last week it issued an RFP to contractors for an enlargement of the existing 12-year-old FBO structure. The GAT, which suffered only minor water damage during the hurricanes, was pressed into service to process commercial airline passengers when the airport reopened. Long after those operations were moved into a temporary facility, the GAT’s lounges are occupied by customs and security personnel.

“This new development of our current facilities of the FBO building is extremely positive,” said Matumi Shigemoto, Arrindell’s general manager. “Our customers and staff have been having very challenging experiences with our current condition post Hurricanes Irma and Maria, and is extremely important that we make progressive and positive steps in rebuilding our brand and leadership role in the Caribbean.”