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a8 local
Wednesday 23 March 2022

Aruba’s Queen Beatrix International Airport Flying High on Journey

to Sustainability

Queen Beatrix International Air- strategy in which Sustainability and with LED lighting, the placement formation, share knowledge and
port (Aruba Airport) facilitates a social responsibility play an impor- of electrical timers in and around expertise. A successful joint venture
diverse air service network, a var- tant role and Green Globe Certifi- the airport terminal and the intro- of this caliber will stimulate island
ied choice of commercial services cation aligns perfectly with our vi- duction of more efficient air con- hopping tourism, labor markets,
and pleasant airport experiences sion towards building a sustainable ditioning equipment, amongst health services and social networks
through sustainable, safe, secure company. other initiatives. Aruba Airport is in the Dutch Caribbean without
and reliable airport operations & working closely with third parties harming the planet.
facilities for all airport users con- “We aim to become the first airport to reduce wider airport-based car-
tributing to a prosperous future for in the Caribbean and hopefully bon emissions and in doing so aims Wings of Hope
Aruba. the first in the world to be Green to achieve accreditation Level 3 Wings of Hope” (WoH) took off on
Globe Certified paving the way as (Optimisation) by 2022. June 1, 2020 with the sole purpose
In 2022, Aruba Airport Author- a leader in sustainable operation to assist and support around 70
ity N.V. (AAA), the company that and management of our airport,” Roadmap to Sustainable Dutch families in great need due to the
manages and operates Aruba added CEO Meijs. Caribbean Inter-Island Air Trans- current pandemic. In 2021, WoH
Airport has begun its journey with portation focused its efforts on five of the
Green Globe to achieve indepen- Airport Carbon Accreditation Level In April of 2021, Aruba Airport United Nation’s SDGs: No Hunger,
dent certification for sustainable 2 together with the 5 other com- Education, Affordable and Clean
operations and management. Aruba Airport has been part of mercial airports of the Dutch Ca- Energy, Environment/Sustainable
the Airports Council International’s ribbean signed a Cooperation Airport Community, and Partner-
Aruba Airport is well advanced (ACI) Airport Carbon Accredita- Agreement that formalized the ship. Several projects were un-
with its sustainability initiatives tion (ACA) for the last four years Dutch Caribbean Cooperation of dertaken including provision of
and seeks to gain independent and has taken numerous actions Airports (DCCA). An important vi- food vouchers to families in need,
validation. In preparation, four of in favor of the environment. Air- sion of DCCA is achieving sustain- school materials and uniforms for
AAA’s staff members have already port Carbon Accreditation is the able, stable and affordable air students as well as coverage of
graduated from the Green Globe only global, airport-specific pro- connections by adapting its airport school tuition fees. In addition, an
Academy after successfully com- gram that certifies airports’ efforts infrastructure where possible and “Energy Champion” competition
pleting the Sustainability Leader- to manage and reduce carbon based on the needs of inter-island where the winning school received
ship for Tourism Professionals Train- emissions. It is the ideal program airline operators. AWG 20,000 to complete their
ing Course. Aruba Airport already for Aruba Airport to support Aruba sustainable plan was organized,
has significant environmental and becoming inclusive, safe, resilient, DCCA has agreed to work together along with support for a nursery for
community development projects and sustainable while taking ur- to organize a Sustainable Air Trans- the Luna Foundation that rescues
underway and aims to complete gent action to combat climate portation event between Dutch street dogs and strays and raises
certification by the beginning of change and its impacts, accord- Caribbean Islands to take place awareness in regard to spaying
2023. ing to goals #11 and #13 of the in November 2022 in Aruba, orga- and neutering. For 2022, WoH’s
United Nations Sustainable Devel- nized by Aruba Airport Authority goals focus on: No Hunger, Edu-
CEO Aruba Airport Authority N.V. opment Goals. N.V.. This event will be a crucial first cation, Awareness, Environment/
Joost Meijs says, “As one of the step towards igniting discussions Sustainable Airport Community,
leading airports in the region, our Airport Carbon Accreditation Lev- on new air travel business models and Partnership. The purpose is to
vision is to become one of the el 2, (known as Reduction Level) including passenger handling ex- continue contributing to the Aru-
most Sustainable, Safe and Future highlights Aruba Airport’s efforts to periences, competitive prices and ban community through various
Proof airports in the Latin Ameri- measure, manage and reduce its convenient air connection for both projects and making a difference
can & Caribbean region. We have carbon footprint. These efforts in- airlines and passengers. It is an im- towards a more sustainable future
defined four pillars as part of our clude the replacement of all lights portant moment to exchange in- for all. q

Changes in the law regarding tobacco products

From the 2 of May 2022, On October 26, 2021, min- unanimous approval. responsible for the protec- sale or distribution of to-
nd
the changes to the law re- ister of Public Health, Dan- tion of their employees bacco to people un-
garding tobacco products gui Oduber was in Parlia- On the 2nd of May 2022, from cigarette smoke dur- der 21 years of age;
will go into effect. The main ment of Aruba to debate this law will go into effect. ing working hours and at 7: Article 6A: prohibits the

changes include a prohi- de law ‘Landsverorden- In short, the changes are: work premises; sale of individual ciga-
bition from smoking in cer- ing tot wijziging van den 1. Article 2: prohibits 4. Article 4: prohibits smok- rettes. Cigarettes must be
tain areas, including trans- Landsverordeing beperk- smoking in public places; ing in any form of public sold in a sealed pack.
portation, as well as a ban ing tabaksproducten’, es- 2. Article 2A: prohibits transportation;
on the sale of cigarettes to sentially, a law to make smoking in private trans- 5. Article 5: prohibits the In the following days, the
people under 21 years of changes to the existing portation when there is a sale or distribution of to- government will provide
age. law regarding tobacco minor in the vehicle; bacco in certain instances; further information regard-
products. This law received 3. Article 3: employers are 6: Article 6: prohibits the ing these changes.q