We were invited for a festive evening at the new USA Departure Hall, scheduled to open for passenger use in early 2025.
This party in honor of the airport extension, 140M spent, represents the completion of just one phase of the long, probably never-ending improvement, titled Gateway 2030, designed to amplify and enhance the airport’s facilities, capable of accommodating the ever-growing passenger traffic and improve the airport’s overall efficiency.
This is a monumental achievement for a country our size, and we shouldn’t take it for granted.
The construction of project phase 1A started pre-pandemic. It halted for a while, and when resumed because the island recuperated furiously fast, the team in charge had to recalculate projections for the airport to meet the demands of incoming holiday seekers, for the next 20 years. There are three more phases to go, scheduled to conclude by 2030, costing about 300M.
According to AAA: The new departure hall will streamline the travel experience for passengers heading to the United States, offering more space, and upgraded amenities. This development is expected to significantly reduce wait times and enhance comfort for travelers.
AMEN.
Congratulations to the Reina Beatrix International Airport team on your accomplishment, and for managing to cut THREE of the seven inspection stations OUT, of the departure process.
The airport was digitally mapped beautifully, going from underwater scenes to air travel. The murals by Armando Goedgedrag are spectacular and were reflected in colorful banners, backdrops, and flags, hung around the entrance and the hall.
Contributing nicely to the festive ambiance, gentle music by saxophonist Ronald Hopman, followed by a smooth surprise combo, guitarist Chris Cross and vocalist Angela Croes, with delicious trip-around-the-world catering by Peanuts Restaurant.
The delivery of project phase 1A also served as farewell to diligent AAA CEO, Joost Meijs, who has been here for almost five years.
I felt a party buzz, thanks to free-flowing cocktails and the presence of many dignitaries, including the Governor of Aruba.
MiniPres gave a 13-minute speech, friendly and charming, how the pandemic struck, how we handled it — with the emphasis on we, as a community effort. Aruba rose to the challenge of opening the island early and pushed its tourist economy to the max. Thank you airport, for your contributions as the first and last impression in the visitors’ experience.
MinTPH gave a 3-minute perfunctory address, spreading thanks around, expressing pride and a sense of satisfaction.
What was missing?
What we all think and feel, the pull and push between economic development and over-tourism, the mention of the delicate balance between what’s good for the locals and what’s good for visitors.
Both speeches reflected NOTHING of the conflict we breathe and live every day on our roads, on the beaches, on our infrastructure level.
One day, one of them will have to acknowledge the dilemma we have with all this laissez–faire growth in the volume of arrivals.
Also, one day, I will ask my friends at the airport to take me for a ride on the roller-coaster at the automated baggage handling facility. The tosses, turns, conveyer belts and tunnels look like they could be fun, not just for suitcases.
By the time we got to the farewell words of the departing AAA CEO, the audience lost its focus, and Meijs did his best to rush through his notes before the hall emptied. Though he had good things to say. Thank you for your leadership! The new departure hall is LEED certified — Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design — and is Aruba’s smartest building.
