Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) is the
airport of St. Maarten. It is located 15 kilometers
northwest of Philipsburg and is operated by Princess Juliana
International Operating Company NV (PJIAE), a limited
liability company, which is wholly owned by PJIA Holding N.V.
which in turn is fully owned by the Island Government of the
Island Territory of St. Maarten. Under a concession granted
to PJIAE by Government for a period of twenty years -
effective January 3, 1997- PJIAE manages, operates,
maintains and develops the Princess Juliana International
Airport.
The island of St. Maarten / St. Martin is the smallest
landmass in the world shared by two nations. The northern
side (St. Martin) is governed by the French and the southern
side (St. Maarten) is one of the five island territories
that make up the semi autonomous country of the Netherlands
Antilles, part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. While
English is the main language on both sides, Dutch is the
official language on the southern side and French the
official language on the northern side.
Because of its geographical location, the island plays a
strategic role in the development of neighboring islands
Saba, St. Eustatius (also Netherlands Antilles territories),
Anguilla and St. Barths.
As a matter of fact, the Princess Juliana International
Airport serves more than the community of St. Maarten and
its tourism industry. The airport is the hub that feeds St.
Martin and surrounding islands as well.
PJIAE started as a small military base that was built in
1942, and was converted into a civilian airport in 1943, the
first in this part of the Caribbean. It has played an
important role in the socio-economic transition of St.
Maarten, from an agriculturally based economy into one of
the major tourist destinations in the Caribbean.
Today PJIA is the second busiest airport in the North
Eastern Caribbean, in terms of aircraft movements, behind
San Juan, Puerto Rico. PJIA is the single most important
strategic asset of St. Maarten.
"To be the regional leader in providing safe,
secure, quality and profitable airport services that
contribute to the general economic and tourism
development of St. Maarten / St. Martin and the
region we serve"
