Airlines, handling agents
revive local association
AIRPORT--The St. Maarten Airlines and Handlers Association (SAHA) has been revived with the aim of promoting cooperation with Princess Juliana International Airport operating company PJIAE, also in light of the new terminal building.
SAHA Chairman Michael Cleaver said on Monday that the association had been discussing “matters of mutual interest” with PJIAE, including the anticipated increase of cost of operating at the new terminal building, which should be ready later this month.
Airlines are expecting an increase of the cost structure that will accompany the move to the new terminal building. That is no news. However, that increase needs to be justified, said Cleaver. He said the association had been working closely with PJIAE President Eugene Holiday and his team.
Cleaver said airlines operating here had many things at common, one of them being the desire to keep the cost structure as low as possible, also seeing the harsh times the airline industry has been facing. He said the airlines justifiably had wanted to know in detail the cost of operating at the new terminal building.
Airlines now know the new cost and they are “very excited” about moving to the new terminal building, said Cleaver. He said the new facility should be a more “pleasant experience” for all users, including passengers, airlines and concessionaires.
“The old terminal is bursting at its seams. Like with all new things, moving into the new terminal building will take some getting used to and the process won’t be without some glitches. But in general we are excited. This is a very positive and needed thing,” Cleaver said.
SAHA was revived about five months ago. Cleaver said it was important for airport users to have an association. “Every major airport in the world has one. There is a lot of commonality,” he said, stressing the importance of cooperating in the interest of the airport, its users and the island in general. “Everybody is better served when we work together,” he said.
Cleaver said the airlines were busy fitting out their office spaces at the new facility. “We are making sure we are ready,” he said, adding that no definite date to move had been set yet.
He explained that the airlines wouldn’t have their own check-in counters at the new terminal building. Instead there will be a rotating system called Common Use Terminal Equipment (CUTE). The airport will allocate the counters based on capacity, flight schedule, time and passenger volume.
This is better for continuity and more efficient for the airport. Certain areas will be dedicated to certain airlines so passengers know more or less where their check-in counters are located.
The majority of airlines and handlers are SAHA members. The board consists of four persons. Besides Cleaver there are André Pasquali of Air France (vice-president), Vicky Dubourcq of Arrindell Aviation Services (treasurer) and Edwin Hodge of Windward Islands Airways International Winair (secretary). Cleaver said the board was a “nice mix” with one US, one European and one local airline and one handler represented.
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