By the Caribbean Journal staff

The reconstruction of St Maarten’s iconic Princess Juliana International Airport is making progress, officials said this week.

While the airport has been serving passengers since Oct. 10, 2017, operations will be transfefred back to the terminal building for the first time in time for the high tourist season, on a temporary basis.

The migration project for the arrival and departure operations should begin next week, with a major part of the terminal building’s ground floor beginning to take shape.

Temporary airline counters are being erected in the check-in area, while the inbound and outbound baggage conveyor belts have already been tested.

A number of concessions will return over the next few weeks, including Subway, AMA, Dutch Delight, Domino’s Pizza, Market by Villa, Taloula’s Flights, Relay, ESCA, Shipwreck Shop, Gouda Liquor Store, Le Bistro by Bacchus, Princess Promenade, Aunt Clara’s, Johney Burger and KAFFE, officials said.

The Package 1 – Temporary Operations of the reconstruction project also includes the immigration and emigration booths, offices, the reinstatement of the existing air-conditioning and sprinkler systems, the installation of the fire alarm and public-address systems, CCTV surveillance and security equipment, as well as IT systems and seating. 

— CJ