Gateway 2030 Project tour
ORANJESTAD - Prime Minister Mr. Mike Eman and the Minister of Tourism, Transport, and Labor, Mr. Wendrick Cicilia, recently received an official presentation of the new terminal at Queen Beatrix International Airport.
This terminal is part of the ambitious Gateway 2030 project announced in May 2017 in preparation for tourism's continuous growth.
Prime Minister Eman and Minister Cecilia got a direct view of the project’s progress, particularly the completion of Phase 1A. According to Prime Minister Eman, this marks a solid step toward improving Aruba’s air infrastructure, optimizing the passenger experience, and simultaneously promoting economic growth and strengthening Aruba’s position as a regional leader in aviation.
The executives from Aruba Airport Authority N.V., including Project Executive Julian Chung, thoroughly explained the terminal innovative features. The tour featured the ultra-modern baggage handling system, which was designed to eliminate inefficiencies and enhance passenger comfort.
The system processes and scans luggage entirely automatically, and the check-in terminal is modern, efficient, and 100% automated to accommodate tourists departing Aruba after their vacation.
These innovations significantly contribute to strengthening Aruba’s position in the Caribbean. The new terminal features a sustainable design that has earned LEED Gold certification and includes artistic elements by Armando Goedgedrag that reflect our natural heritage. The baggage system can process up to 2,000 bags per hour and eliminates the need for passengers to check in and collect baggage twice when traveling to the United States.
During the visit, Prime Minister Eman recalled the visionary contribution of his late brother, Henny Eman, the former Prime Minister of Aruba, who negotiated with the U.S. for the pre-clearance implementation in Aruba. According to Eman, this positioned Aruba at a high level in the aviation and tourism sectors. “Henny Eman’s vision of the added value of pre-clearance helped expand our tourism and positioned Aruba as a leader in the Caribbean,” Eman emphasized, “The expansion of our airport will propel us to another level.”
Prime Minister Eman reaffirmed that this development is a testament to Aruba’s ability to implement visionary and sustainable policies. Aruba is taking the necessary steps to remain competitive in the global aviation industry while modernizing its infrastructure, improving efficiency, and ensuring an optimal experience for all passengers.