On Thursday afternoon, Minister of Justice Arthur Dowers, together with Immigration Aruba, received the Minister of Justice of Sint Maarten for a strategic presentation on the modern system being implemented at Aruba’s airport. This meeting confirms Aruba’s position as a regional leader in innovation, security, and efficiency in passenger entry and exit processes.
During the presentation, the focus was on the RADEX system, which operates at immigration checkpoints as well as at e-gates. This system enables a fast, secure, and reliable process, reducing waiting times and strengthening border control in a strategic way.
After visiting the immigration entry checkpoints, the delegation continued with a tour of the U.S. CBP preclearance area. There, they received an explanation of the integrated system that processes thousands of passengers traveling to the United States every day. This process includes technologies such as APIS/ATS/TECS, Global Entry, and biometric systems, which accelerate passenger flow, especially for U.S. citizens.
An important element of the presentation was the recent investments made at Queen Beatrix International Airport as part of the strategic Gateway 2030 plan. Aruba has implemented a fully automated central baggage handling system, eliminating a major step in the preclearance process and making the entire system highly efficient. Passengers traveling to the U.S. no longer need to collect their luggage before passing through CBP; luggage is screened according to CBP standards and sent directly to storage until it is loaded onto the aircraft.
The integration of the baggage system with the passenger screening system has resulted in a remarkable improvement in efficiency. In practice, lines in the preclearance area have become minimal, almost nonexistent, significantly enhancing the travel experience.
The presentation concluded with a tour of the new baggage handling facility, which includes state-of-the-art security technology and two additional screening phases that meet international standards.
The Government of Aruba continues to focus on strategic investments in infrastructure and technology to guarantee a modern, secure, and efficient border. This direction not only strengthens control but also positions Aruba as a reliable and competitive hub in the region.
