Page 28 - TFWA World Exhibit 2023 Special Edition

INSIDER

St Maarten’s airport, largely destroyed by Hurricane Irma in 2017, set to
open new Departure Terminal in November

The new departure hall of St.
Maarten’s Princess Juliana International
Airport (PJIA), including new airport
stores, is set to open by November 1, 2023.
Princess Promenade, the retail
division of International Liquors and
Tobacco Trading, was awarded the duty
free concession at the airport, where it will
operate both a walk-through departures
store and an arrivals store located within
the baggage claim area.
The airport’s reconstruction project,
which commenced back in September
2021, is now in its final stages, announced
the airport’s operating company PJIAE,
which had initially planned for the
renovation to be completed in February
2023. The announcement marks a major
milestone for the airport, which was largely experience. industry. This transformative project
destroyed by Hurricane Irma back in 2017. “The phased approach to rebuilding aims to position the airport as a hub of
The new departure hall includes the new terminal reflects PJIAE’s convenience, comfort, and efficiency,
a terrazzo floor, which gives the new dedication to upgrade towards world- allowing passengers to travel with ease and
departure hall a “modern and sophisticated class airport standards while adapting confidence beyond the Caribbean region,”
look,” say the airport officials. New to the evolving needs of the aviation says the PJIAE management.
elevators have also been integrated into
the terminal’s layout to optimize passenger
flow. The hall will also deliver “cutting-
edge amenities, spacious waiting areas, ILTT’s Princess Promenade wins duty free retail
advanced security check-points, and concessions at St. Maarten’s Princess Juliana
streamlined boarding processes,” along
with new airport stores. International Airport
Starting in October, arriving
passengers will be processed through a Princess Promenade, the retail division meticulously crafted to cater to the tastes
newly built Temporary Arrival Facility of International Liquors and Tobacco of global travelers, said the official
(TAF), which will be equipped with Trading N.V. (ILTT) in St. Maarten/ announcement.
immigration counters, a baggage claim St. Martin, has been awarded the duty In a pioneering move for the company,
area, and customs facilities. free retail concessions at the soon-to-be- Princess Promenade will also operate an
reopened Princess Juliana International exclusive arrival duty free store, located
Phased opening Airport in St. Maarten. within the baggage reclaim area.
The reconstructed terminal building With the airport’s reopening scheduled Promenade’s unwavering commitment
will be opened in a phased approach. for November 2023, Princess Promenade is to offering exceptional products and
Phase one is the new state-of-the-art gearing up to redefine the travel retail land- unparalleled customer experiences,”
departure hall set to open on Nov. 1. A new scape by offering an unparalleled shopping said a company spokesperson. “We are
Check-in Hall will open in December 2023. experience to both departing and arriving excited to collaborate with the airport and
Phase two will be the construction passengers, says the company. the community of St. Maarten to provide
of an upgraded Arrival Hall, offering In partnership with Princess Juliana travelers with a shopping environment
improved baggage handling systems, International Airport, Princess Promenade that epitomizes luxury, quality and
efficient immigration and customs will operate a spacious 284-square-meter convenience.
processes, and enhanced passenger (3150 square feet) walkthrough store, This outlet will cater exclusively
facilities, scheduled for completion by the strategically positioned beyond security in to arriving/stay-over and transiting
second quarter in 2024, in time for summer the international departure area. passengers, offering a selection of
travel. This flagship store will feature Champagne, liquors and tobacco products.
PJIAE says that careful planning and an extensive array of world-class The arrival duty free store is designed
coordination will be undertaken to ensure liquors, premium tobacco products, and to provide a shopping experience that
that construction activities do not hinder confectioneries. complements the overall journey of
the airport’s operations and that passengers The store’s design, layout, and travelers, allowing them to acquire
continue to enjoy a seamless travel carefully curated product selection are products conveniently upon their arrival.

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