 To
give history its rightful place in the airport’s present and future,
PJIAE is presenting an exhibition of historic photographs; tangible
and virtually. One version is erected inside the check-in hall on
panels placed in sequence that enables an experience of the events
that lead from the airport’s humble beginnings to the efficient St.
Maarten aviation institution it is today. The second version is
accessible online though the airport website www.pjiae.com. The home
page of the site has been altered somewhat to include a welcome text
which links to a page with most of the pictures that are on display.
“We are proud of our history and are happy to be able to offer a
glimpse of where we came from, in relation to where we are and where
we are going, both tangibly and virtually,” said PJIAE President drs.
Eugene Holiday. He invited all to check-out the exhibition and
recommended to do the online visit first; the page features a small
booklet that can function as useful downloadable guide through the
exhibition in the building.
From when it was first set up, the exhibition has attracted mass
attention. It features historical black & white photos, some dating
back to when the airport was just a bit more than a runway and when
aircraft parked on sand. It also features color photos taken of the
new terminal building that was opened on November 10, 2006.
 Proving that PJIA is now so much more than a place where one can
catch a flight, the exhibition functions as a prime example of the
new building’s versatility and as a perfect indication of how far PJIAE -and by extension St. Maarten- has come.
The exhibition is part of PJIAE’s activities to commemorate the 65th
anniversary of the operational opening of the first terminal
building of Princess Juliana Airport on December 3, 1943. Initially
Built in 1942 as a US military airstrip during World War II, PJIA
became a civil airport in 1943, welcoming its first civil flight,
carried out by Royal Dutch Airline KLM with the “Kolibrie” in 1943.
Speaking during a short ceremony to mark the anniversary on December
3, 2008, PJIAE President drs. Eugene Holiday said that history
–depicted in the exhibition- will show that “we can conclude that we
have achieved in taking the institution forward. He added though
that “the history of PJIA, however, is more than buildings; it is a
history of people, many people; their contributions to PJIA and St.
Maarten have been invaluable and should be properly recognized.” The
exhibition, therefore, doesn’t just stop short at depicting the
transformation of PJIAE’s building and landscape, but also gives
prime recognition to people who played a role as the airport charted
its way onward.
PJIAE President drs. Holiday said the exhibition is just a start; a
PJIAE Library will be established to further record and chronicle
the full history of PJIA for current and future generations. “The
photo exhibition is a first step toward giving content to the
Library,” said Mr. Holiday, adding that the exhibition is by no
means complete. He extended an invitation to everyone who has
historic pictures of the airport and its surroundings. “We welcome
any photos for inclusion in our Library Collection,” said Mr.
Holiday.
The exhibition of the 65 pictures of PJIAE history will remain in
the check-in hall for a total of 65 days.
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