PJIA is having a year

Time to have a quick look. Eight years after Irma, 2025 is shaping up as the year PJIA moves from reconstruction to results. The airport is processing more passengers with fewer bottlenecks, its rebuilt terminal is now fortified for major storms, and airline interest is rising, signals of growing confidence in St. Maarten’s hub. In the first quarter, PJIA welcomed 256,923 arriving passengers, a 10.8 percent year-over-year jump, propelled by automated border controls and an upgraded arrivals hall that went live late last year.

Said CEO Michael Cleaver: "I'm very happy where things are. We have a lot of work to do, but I told the team that this work is like turning a super oil tanker. It takes awhile to turn it, but I'm very encouraged because I think the boat's starting to turn. We can feel it turning. I have every hope that it will continue and we will be heading in the right direction. I think it will."

The Princess is having herself a year.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥

Critical resilience work finished this year. Hurricane-resistant entrance systems went live, including fortified vestibules, new glass doors, and protective shutters built to Irma-level standards. Passenger boarding bridges and the baggage system were also replaced or upgraded, restoring the terminal’s pre-Irma capacity with added storm protection.

Automation rolled out in late 2024 is paying off in 2025. New e-gates and passport kiosks speed processing and capture arrival data in real time, smoothing the traveler experience and giving government officials a clear view of demand trends.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲, 𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧

PJIA took an assertive route development stance this year, positioning St. Maarten as the gateway for Saba, Statia, St. Barths, Anguilla, Dominica, Nevis, and Tortola. Partners have projected roughly 1.8 million passengers for 2025, which aligns with the strong start to the year. Airline moves back this up.

JetBlue will ramp Boston to SXM to daily seasonal service beginning December 18, 2025. Southwest announced St. Maarten service beginning April 7, 2026, a service which broadens awareness in new source markets.

Chicago connection: Starting November 8, American Airlines will launch a weekly nonstop flight from Chicago O’Hare to St. Maarten, opening access to the U.S. Midwest for the first time. Not to be outdone, United Airlines is also ramping up its SXM offerings, adding extended weekend flights from Chicago to St. Maarten during the same period.

Z Air (formerly EZ Air): In mid-July, Z Air inaugurated thrice-weekly service linking Curaçao and St. Maarten with Embraer 140 aircraft, boosting regional connectivity and offering more travel options within the Dutch Caribbean.

Travelers departing from St. Maarten had a fresh and convenient option to explore the Caribbean, thanks to a major regional expansion by Sunrise Airways.

𝐂𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝

Beyond major infrastructure, tangible improvements are reshaping the passenger experience. A new Wendy’s opened in the meet-and-greet zone in June, giving visitors and locals a casual dining choice landside. It’s details like this that signify a terminal restored not just for transit, but usable in everyday life.

In late May, PJIA hosted its first-ever “Shoppers Night,” inviting the public inside the terminal without a boarding pass. Duty-free stores and restaurants opened after hours; concession fees were waived so retailers could offer discounts. Seniors, foster children, raffles and festive vibes made it part community event, part celebration of the revitalized terminal as a space beyond flights.

𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

Operational continuity is supported through leadership and training. In 2025, Emile Levons was formally named Chief Operating Officer, while a new Chief Financial Officer in the person of Michael Lake was also appointed, strengthening the airport’s executive capacity with local know-how.

Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT), Grisha Heyliger-Marten. “This is a proud moment for St. Maarten,” Minister Heyliger-Marten stated. “These appointments show that our own professionals, people who have grown within the system, who know the airport and understand the needs of our people, are fully capable of leading at the highest levels. Who better to guide PJIA than those who have stood by it through both its challenges and successes?”

The Minister emphasized that the knowledge, skill, and resilience needed to take PJIA into its next era are already present on island. “By investing in and trusting our own, we strengthen both the institution and our country,” she added.

Heyliger-Marten also acknowledged past concerns raised by workers and the community about external appointments. “Today, we can all stand together in confidence, knowing that these leaders are home-grown, proven, and have truly earned their place at the helm,” she said.

Additionally, On May 30, 2025, PJIA participated in a “Good News Tuesday” campaign. Headlined “Every Win Counts,” the airport recognized employee contributions and accomplishments, reinforcing staff morale and engagement. Then in early August, PJIA promoted a Security Job Fair held on August 9, seeking to recruit new security team members.

A renewed focus on employees and internal promotions became necessary following a period of visible frustration in 2024 and early 2025. Airport management recognized that strengthening staff morale and prioritizing employee satisfaction were essential for moving the organization forward.

𝐅𝐁𝐎, 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲

In May 2025, Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIAE) signed a long-term concession agreement with ExecuJet, part of the Luxaviation Group, to manage and operate its Fixed Base Operator (FBO) facilities. The deal marked a major step in strengthening PJIA’s private aviation sector, with ExecuJet promising world-class ground handling, fueling, and VIP services.

Plans include a newly developed FBO terminal offering five times more passenger space, a dedicated concierge-style lounge, upgraded pilot facilities, and enhanced airside access, features designed to make St. Maarten a premier stop for luxury and private jet travelers. ExecuJet described the new PJIA operation as the cornerstone of its Caribbean network, leveraging the island’s strategic hub position.

PJIA’s management emphasized that the concession aligns with its broader vision of raising service standards across all airport operations, while Luxaviation leadership highlighted a commitment to delivering elevated and consistent private aviation experiences in the region. The partnership is set to not only upgrade PJIA’s facilities but also strengthen its reputation as a leading gateway for global business and leisure travelers arriving by private aircraft.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐬

St. Maarten’s competitive edge lies in being both connected and convenient. With accelerated arrivals processing, resilient infrastructure, expanding routes (Chicago, Curaçao, Boston, upcoming Southwest services), and a terminal that’s increasingly useful beyond travel, PJIA is affirming its position as the northeast Caribbean’s second-busiest airport and central hub for neighboring islands. The strong early-year momentum, driven by double-digit growth and strategic route gains, sets a strong foundation for a promising 2026.

Bottom line: In 2025, PJIA turned promises into performance. The airport stands stronger, arrivals flow faster, routes expand, and even the shopping feels renewed. For travelers, that means faster lines and more options. For the island, it’s a more resilient gateway, and finally, the growth engine it was designed to become.

As for how CEO Cleaver personally feels: "I like to keep a pretty low profile and I've always tried to let the work speak for itself. If I do a good job, well then I guess people will say I did a good job. If I do a bad job, they will definitely say that too," he said jokingly, adding: "But I do like where we are."

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