Airport:--- "Excellence doesn't just happen, People make it happen." the theme used by management of the Princess Juliana international Airport on their 65th anniversary which was held yesterday at the PJIAE departure hall.
Addressing the gathering was Drs Eugene Holiday President of the Airport. Holiday described PJIAE as the second busiest in the north eastern Caribbean.
PJIAE is a premier gateway for the twin island St. Maarten/St. Martin and the other neighboring islands of the Windward Islands. Holiday said PJIAE has a history of its own which they are proud to boast. That history he said is much more than the buildings that are now standing. Holiday gave credit to the professionals, government as well as the airlines that he felt needs to be properly recognized.
The president of the airport said that the investments that were made at the airport has produced decades of economic growth. He said PJIAE functions at the heartbeat of the of the island economy.
He indicated that any increase or decrease in air traffic movement at the airport is an indicator of "the health" of the economy of St. Maarten and as a result leaves no doubt of the important role that the PJIA has in the socio-economic development of St. Maarten and the surrounding islands.
He mentioned that it was against this back drop that they decided to develop a library to chronicle the history of the institution for the future generations. He disclosed that the photo exhibition gives an indication of the some of the people who have made invaluable contribution to the history of the Princess Juliana International Airport.
Commissioner for Aviation Affairs Sarah Wescott Williams in her comments spoke of the excellence of the facility and mentioned that the excellence comes from the coming together of people to make the difference. She said after 65 years one could only imagine how all this came about and the contributions of the people that made it happen. She stressed that as St. Maarten stands on the threshold there are still some obstacles and challenges that have to overcome.
The Commissioner also gave a story about her mother who worked at the airport in the early days and how they had accommodated strangers in their home who came for a celebration. A phenomenon this still exists today.
She indicated that PJIA is all about service and therefore every individual contribution either makes or takes away from the excellence that is being portrayed today. She stated that there is no job on the airport that is insignificant since they are part of a team. She said that each individual has a role to play and commended the employees for the work they have done since they must have made some contribution to the success. She called on them to recognize their own contribution that they have made since it calls for teamwork and in some cases requires more.
