If you ask anyone in the hospitality sector what made this high season in Aruba so successful, they will tell you that one of the main factors, perhaps the most important one is airlift.
And when it comes to airlift, Queen Beatrix International Airport has a specialist, the Aviation Business Development executive, Jo-Anne Meaux Arends.
Her department is responsible for attracting airlines, as well as opening and developing routes. Among their diverse specialties: Air Service Development and Marketing, route planning, traffic forecasting, airline strategy, brand development and positioning.
All their efforts came to fruition in the high season of 2024.
(Some say they were too successful.)
Last week that department invited a handful of media partners to talk about the crucial role Aviation Business Development plays in maintaining and expanding air connectivity to and from the island.
In that role, the airport is not only thinking about our visitors and the ease of their air connections but also about the local market, making sure Arubans can travel easily, at competitive fares, to their favorite vacation destination such as Florida, USA, Curacao, Columbia, and Panama, besides other regional hot spots.
The meeting at the airport was successfully run by Mary Joan Wardlaw, Customer Relationship Officer, and co-hosted by Joanne Trimon, the Research & Development Officer.
During the meeting objectives and goals were presented, as well as future plans. In 2023, the airport organized a campaign surrounding Wingo, a budget carrier owned by Copa Holdings. It raised awareness and excitement about travel to Cali Colombia, from Aruba. Eventually all Wingo destinations were promoted, including Bogota and Medellin.
Towards the end of 2023, LATAM airlines, a merger between Chilean and Brazilian airliners, headquartered in Chile, introduced a new route from Lima, Peru to Aruba, the third regional Latin American hub after Panama, serviced by Copa Airlines, and Bogota, Columbia, serviced by Avianca, enhancing connectivity for travelers, and growing Aruba’s seat capacity for incoming visitors.
The Aruba Airport Authority N.V., AAA, recently hosted an inaugural event at Aruba Airport’s general aviation terminal, in honor of JET-TNCA, the private airport, adding to Aruba’s aviation landscape and fostering excellence in service delivery. JET-TNCA provides comprehensive services, such as catering to various aviation clients, including business aviation, law enforcement missions, air (ambulance) medical services, freight and package deliveries, and the private aviation community at large.
AAA’s management operating under a Supervisory Board publishes frequent updates regarding the execution of the Gateway 2030 project, built in phases, in its second year of construction, with a budget of 143 million. A phased approach helps to better control, manage the enormous undertaking, and allows the opportunity to embed new insights in following phases during this multiyear project.
According to Wardlaw, in 2024, AAA is focusing on more engagement, sustaining successful campaigns while expanding its reach to include new opportunities.
Members of the media enjoyed a snack, hot and cold refreshments, and a goody bag. They pledged consistency and coherence in messaging to the public throughout the year. Thanks for your hospitality!
