Joost Meijs, CEO of Aruba Airport Authority N.V. (AAA) since August 2019, will leave the Aruba Airport after the end of his 5-year appointment term.
Together with the other members of AAA management and all employees of the airport, numerous improvements have been made to the airport in recent years.
At the start of 2019, the most important task for management was to successfully implement the planned large-scale investment in the airport terminal and other critical infrastructure under the name Gateway 2030. The first phase, a new baggage system, hall and check-in hall, will be completed and delivered mid-2024. This phase involves an investment of more than USD 140 million and is being carried out by a group of Aruban construction companies. Construction of the second phase of Gateway 2030, the new waiting areas, and additional gates, is expected to start in the summer of 2024. Preparatory work for the third and final phase has also started and completes a total investment in Gateway 2030 of more than USD 300 million.
The COVID crisis in 2020 and 2021 caused a period of great uncertainty for the Aruban airport. The drastic drop in revenue streams due to fewer passengers as a direct result of the COVID crisis, and the uncertainty about the speed of recovery, led to a decision to adjust the organization of the airport. In 2024, the airport has fully recovered from the COVID crisis. The destination portfolio has expanded, and the number of passengers has grown to a record high; 2023 compared to 2019 +8%, budget 2024 compared to 2019 +11%. After a significantly negative financial result in 2020 created by COVID, the airport is currently financially stable again with a healthy return.
In 2021, in collaboration with all employees, an ambitious corporate strategy was formulated to develop Aruba Airport into one of the most sustainable, safe, and future-oriented airports in South America and the Caribbean. To this end, the airport consistently invests in four strategic pillars: the development of its employees, the quality of its service and airport infrastructure, innovations and new opportunities, sustainability, and social responsibility.
In 2023, passengers rated the airport with a 4.50 for customer satisfaction and a 4.32 for customer experience (scale 1-5). The so-called engagement score of the employees is at a record high of 3.82 (scale 1 – 5). Aruba Airport was the first airport in the world to receive the Green Globe certificate in 2022. During the recently held Aruban Integrity Week with the theme “Follow Your Moral Compass”, the airport was selected as a company with a proven track record in the field of integrity, accountability, transparency, sustainability, and social responsibility.
Aruba Airport took the initiative to establish the Dutch Caribbean Cooperation of Airports (DCCA), a collaboration between the six airports in the Dutch Caribbean. The objective of DCCA is to improve the quality and safety of the airports and to create scale through close cooperation and exchange of information and knowledge. Since its inception, the DCCA has been promoting an ambitious plan for affordable, efficient, and sustainable flight connections between the six islands. This has resulted in the departure of the first ever electric aircraft in Caribbean airspace from the Aruban airport in 2022.
In 2023, 100 Years of Aviation in Aruba was celebrated together with the Aruban community and stakeholders. KLM kicked off the festivities on its own 103rd birthday by presenting the traditional Delft blue house to the Governor of Aruba. For this occasion, a miniature version of the Ecury family house in Aruba was chosen. The festivities continued with an aviation exhibition for the public, the installation of a bronze replica of the very first aircraft to land in Aruba, the minting of a commemorative coin by the Central Bank of Aruba and, during the festivities, the former terminal of the airport “Dakota building” was officially designated as a monument by the Minister of Culture.
Joost Meijs, CEO AAA: “I enjoy leading this ambitious airport and will continue to do so until the end of my appointment term in the summer of 2024. Aruba Airport has a fantastic team, and it is thanks to the good work and enormous commitment of all colleagues that the airport has become so successful in implementing our business strategy. Also, the strong partnerships with external parties including the Ministry of Tourism, Directorate of Aviation, Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA), the Aruban Hotel and Timeshare Association (AHATA) and airport partners including customs, immigration, US CBP, concessionaires, and ground handling companies are and will remain crucial to the airport’s successes.”
Gerald Tsu, Chairman of the Supervisory Board: “The connection of Joost with Schiphol International is proof of his outstanding reputation in the field of airport management. His problem-solving skills and getting things done mentality are consistently demonstrated by his ability to bridge gaps. With a new corporate strategy and with the help of the leadership team and all employees of AAA, Aruba Airport has overcome the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic under his leadership as CEO. We warmly thank him for his contribution to AAA and wish him success in the final months of his appointment period and in all his future activities.”
Dangui Oduber, Minister of Tourism and Healthcare: Aruba Airport is crucial for the economy of Aruba and the well-being of its residents. I am proud that the airport is a stable and forward-looking organization, serving as an example for other airports in the region. Our airport is now a leader in sustainability. We thank Joost Meijs for his professional contribution to the organization and for leading AAA during the past 5 years. We wish him much success for the future!”
About AUA Airport
AUA Airport is one of the busiest airports in the Caribbean region, with 22 different airlines operating into Aruba contributing to processing almost 3 million passengers per year and providing air service to 22 cities and 34 non-stop destinations worldwide. AUA Airport’s markets served comprise of 76% from the United States & Canada, 14% from Latin America, 6% from Europe, and 4% from Dutch Caribbean. AUA Airport attributes this to the island’s stable economic and political climate, hospitable and multilingual population, and safe environment. AUA Airport’s aspiration is to become one of the most Sustainable, Safe, and Future Proof airports of the Latin America & Caribbean region, providing a trusted workplace, modern airport facilities and excellent customer service which reflects Aruban hospitality, contributing to a prosperous future for Aruba.
Learn more about what’s happening at AUA Airport by visiting www.airportaruba.com and connect with AUA Airport on Twitter.com/Aruba_Airport, Facebook.com/ArubaAirport, Instagram.com/arubaairport/ and Linkedin.com/ArubaAirport.