News & Media

PJIAE Extends Healthy Lifestyle And Work Life Balance Program

Simpsonbay, St. Maarten (March 30, 2022)-Throughout the month of March 2022, Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA.) kicked off its health program which supports and encourages employees to work on a healthy lifestyle and work life balance. Various activities were carried out, such as the implementation of Work Fruit throughout the various PJIAE departments. Work Fruit is a program whereby all departments received fruit baskets and healthy snacks to encourage healthy eating throughout the day.

To further emphasize the importance of healthy eating and nutrition, PJIA also collaborated with Green Meds SXM. Green Meds is an integrated Health Clinic that offers an alternative way to maintain a healthy lifestyle while balancing nutrition.

Various informative sessions were held by Dietitian Ms. Berit Bus, whereby PJIA employees had the opportunity to attend sessions and obtain information on nutrition and healthy eating. The Airport’s Rescue and Firefighting Department (R&FF), trains regularly during the week to maintain a healthy and fit physique. Following his attendance, the Chief of the Rescue and

Firefighting department of PJIAE N.V., Mr. Manilo Penijn, stated: “I am very happy that the healthy eating and nutrition sessions were held, many in attendance were impressed with what they learned. The R&FF department is looking forward to attending more sessions in the future.”

Encouraging all PJIA workers and airport community to work on their Healthy Lifestyle & Work Life Balance, the first-ever PJIA “Runway Run: Fit for 2022’” was organized for its staff and stakeholders. Ms. Sandy Offringa, Legal Counsel of PJIAE N.V. and chairlady of the organizing committee lead the event. Offringa is also a personal trainer and one of the top sporters on the island, she stated: “We had a great turnout and I’m happy to be a part of this healthy program at PJIA. There was so much interest from the St. Maarten (sports) community to also participate in this unique run, therefore we will be looking into the possibility of organizing another run with an open invitation to the St. Maarten community to take part in the next event.”

“Given that the month of March 2022 was such a success, our HR Department has decided to extend the Health Lifestyle & Work Life Balance Program until April 30, 2022,” concluded Ms. Miguela Gumbs, Human Resource Manager of PJIAE N.V.

About Princess Juliana International Airport

Princess Juliana International Airport is the second busiest airport in the Northeast Caribbean. It is the most important airport hub for Saba, St Eustatius, St Barthelemy, Anguilla, Dominica, Nevis and Tortola. The airport is one of the largest employers on the island. It has 277 workers and 1700 workers within the entire airport community. In 2022, the Sint Maarten airport expects to handle 1.2 million passengers and 54.000 aircraft movements. The reconstruction works of the airport have started in September 2021. At the end of December 2022, the Departure Hall will be ready to use for passengers. In the summer of 2023, the new terminal will be finished. Contractor Ballast Nedam International Projects is actively seeking cooperation with local people and companies which is essential for socio-economic recovery of St. Maarten.

Historic Timeline

Princess Juliana Airport was officially opened by Princess Juliana in 1944. In 2006, her Majesty Queen Beatrix inaugurated the new terminal building. In 2017, the airport was hit by Hurricane Irma (Cat. 5) In January 2020, Princess Juliana International Airport signed the WorldBank/EIB loan to reconstruct the terminal. In July 2021, Ballast Nedam International Project signed the contract to start the reconstruction.