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local Saturday 18 February 2023

Aruba Airport Authority: project Gateway 50% executed

(Oranjestad)—Yesterday,
Aruba Airport Authority
(AAA) held a press confer-
ence to give updates about
project Gateway 2030. Dur-
ing this press conference,
the minister of Tourism and
representatives present vis-
ited the construction site.

Before stepping on to the
construction site, the min-
ister and the executive
director of AAA Joost Mei-
jis, along with the project sic components of each on the site, including those in the project as a way to sured that Phase 1A of the
team and press were all phase has been expanded from the AAA, the contrac- achieve this. project is an investment
given safety vests from the upon and explained. tor company, and other The next phases in the proj- of 143 million dollar. After
Project Management Of- parties that either directly ect are already in the pro- this, they will continue with
fice (PMO), who is also in- “We are happy and proud or indirectly work on this cess of evaluation and will Phase 1B, Phase 2 and
volved in the realization of to present Minister Oduber phase. be included in the project. Phase 3. As the minister
project Gateway 2030. with the latest advance- This phase also includes the This includes, for example, stated, “this project is very
The director of develop- ments of project Gateway development and installa- a new concession area important for our tourism
ment and technology at 2030, which is now in its first tion of baggage handling where all gates for Ameri- and our economy, keeping
AAA, Gilbert Rafeal, was phase of development. The systems and the new zone can flights are connected, in mind the limitations in ca-
accompanied by the PMO goal is to complete this first for luggage preparations. new installations for arrivals pacity that we are current-
team consisting of Mr. phase by the third trimester Phase 1B includes the ex- and the extension of the ly experiencing, as well as
Henry Balentin, Sr. project of 2024, and begin the next pansion of the current gate service area at the termi- the increase in hotel rooms
director; Mr. Gerard Turk, phase in that same year,” 8 area and the creation nal. from hotels that are cur-
resident engineer and Mr. Joost Meijs stated. of two waiting rooms that rently in construction. This is
Gerko Rijkers. Representa- Phase 1A of the project— will be connected to three Minister Oduber expressed why it is also necessary that
tives from the ABC Project which has been ongoing contact gates and one em- that they have been giv- we amplify our airport and
Venture contracting com- for a year and a half now— barking gate. At the same en extensive information ensure good infrastructure
pany provided the minister primarily includes the ex- time, Rafael also men- on the project. He also to comply with the wishes
with information on the re- pansion of the building for tioned that they have also announced that project of our guests.”
cent updates in the project U.S. check-ins. In the future, considered the matter of Gateway is already 50% in At the same time, he point-
during the course of Phase this area will become the sustainability as part of their its execution phase, where ed out that this project is
1A and the schedule to main check-in terminal for strategy. Infrastructures for they are currently keeping being executed by local
complete this project on all outgoing travelers. solar panels and reusable up with planning in order contractors, which can be
time. According to Rafael, Phase rain water for bathrooms to complete the project on an example for other local
Concerning the other 1A consists of approximate- are among the few factors time. contractors to pursue more
phases of the project, ba- ly 200 employees working they have implemented Minister Oduber has as- projects.q

Mikayla Ruiz crowned as Queen Ritz Carlton Aruba

(Oranjestad)—On Wednesday For the first time, Ritz Carlton Aruba
evening, the election for Grand organized a queen election, which
Carnaval Queen and Madam was held in the hotel’s ballroom
Carnaval of the Ritz Carlton Aruba and was attended by a big crowd.
Hotel was held. A total of 9 contes- The candidates’ family, friends and
tants—5 competing for the Madam colleagues united to show their
Carnaval title and 4 others for the support for their candidate.
Grand Queen title—performed and
presented their speech for the ulti- For both titles, awards were giv-
mate titles of the Ritz Carlton Aruba en for the titles of Most Popular
Queens. Queen; Queen QR (online voting),
Best Costume; Best Speech; Best

Show; Runner-ups and of course, Speech, Best Show and Best Cos-
Queen. tume.
For the category of Madam Car-
naval, the winner was Orelis Kelly, In terms of entertainment, the car-
who is representing Casino Tables. naval group Tsunami headlined
She was also awarded with the title the event, and all guests were
of Best Speech. seen enjoying the ambience from
beginning to end.
For the category of Grand Queen,
the winner was Mikayla Ruiz, repre- It is also worth mentioning that the
senting Meetings & Special Events. theme of recycling really out in the
Ruiz also snatched the awards contestants’ costumes, where their
for Most Popular, Queen QR, Best creativity was front and center.q