News & Media

LaBega Invited to Address IATA Regional Meeting in Miami

SIMPSON BAY, St. Maarten
(Tuesday, April 21, 2015) - Managing Director of the Princess Juliana International Airport, SXM, Regina LaBega has been invited to address the Americas Airports, Infrastructure and Fuel Regional Meeting of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which will be held in Miami from April 21 to 22, 2015.

The meeting is being hosted in partnership with the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA).

“We are particularly honored by this invitation,” said LaBega, who is being accompanied to the meeting by Ms. M. Lake, Finance Manager at SXM Airport. Mr. Filipe Reis, IATA’s Head of Airport, Passenger, Cargo and Security for the Americas extended the invitation.

“It offers us an opportunity to discuss how best to advance our relationship as a major regional hub with the various partners,” LaBega said.

She said that the invitation gives SXM Airport the opportunity to present its objectives and plans for future developments while allowing the airport to communicate its long term plans to a wider community.

The meeting will serve as a forum for airlines to obtain information directly from SXM Airport and improve cooperation in overcoming challenges.

About 25 airline executives are expected to attend the meeting. They include representatives from American Airlines, Delta, United, Air Canada, Air Transat, COPA, Avianca, Air France, British Airways, Iberia, and Lan.

IATA has regional operational committees responsible for decision making on matters related to the industry. This particular committee that is organizing this meeting is responsible for development, airport charges, and fuel. It meets annually and with participation by airlines that service the Americas.

According to LaBega, SXM Airport maintains a close relationship with IATA’s regional office in Miami. “We met with IATA in November 2014 and in January this year,” disclosed LaBega. “We have also been consulting with IATA on various matters, including a proposed airport improvement fee (AIF) increase, Automated Passport Control and the future fuel farm, while at the same time providing them with an update on ongoing and planned projects at the airport.”

“It is as a direct result of these meetings, I believe that I was invited to speak to the regional airline community, and we intend to make the best use of this opportunity to update participants at this forum about the latest developments at SXM Airport and to listen to their concerns as well and find out how we can assist one another in achieving our goals,” LaBega said.