SXM Airport : Three Local Companies Bid for New FBO Facility

(L-R): Marlene Mingo, Notary Public, Bruce Van Hesteren of Studio Acht, Suzy Saridedjo, Ass. Managing Director,
Taliesin Construction NV, Wim Ten Haan of Windward Roads BV, Eric Van Putten, Jr., Managing Director,
Designer’s Choice NV. (SXM photo)

Three St. Maarten companies have submitted bids for the construction of the new Fixed Base Operation (FBO) facility at the Princess Juliana International Airport, SXM.

The three companies that submitted bids were Designer Choice NV, Windward Roads BV and Taliesin NV. A representative of each of the companies presented the proposals, which were opened in the presence of notary Marlene Mingo on Wednesday, January 21, 2015.

Representatives of Studio Acht, which prepared the tender documents on behalf of SXM and members of an SXM team were also present at the opening of the bids. The submitted proposals are currently being evaluated by SXM, in keeping with its procurement policy.

SXM had begun the bidding process in December 2014 by inviting five contractors to submit bids for the construction of the new FBO facility. Of the five, one sent a letter of no participation, one did not respond, and three submitted bids.

Once a company has been chosen, SXM will then seek approval from its board of directors, followed by the drafting of an agreement with the chosen company, after which the works can begin.

The intended airside location for the new FBO facility is the area where the Government Fire Department once stood (it has since been demolished to make way for the construction of the new FBO) as well as the area currently occupied by the Civil Aviation Authority and the Meteorological Services of St. Maarten, to the east of the terminal building.

The new FBO Terminal building will occupy an area of 1,000 square meters with a space of 5,000 square meters for General Aviation parking. It will feature three retail outlets as well as Customs, Immigration and Security services.

As already announced, SXM Airport has signed an MOU with Arrindell by Signature to operate in the new facility. The non-exclusive agreement calls for Signature to offer passenger, ground handling and into plane fuel services for General Aviation (GA) from the new FBO Terminal. At least one other operator is expected in the new facility. The FBO operator(s) at the new facility are expected to build their own lounges with additional services and amenities. The estimated construction period for the new facility is between 14-16 months.

The new FBO facility is part of the Capital Improvement Program of SXM and has become very necessary due to increased growth in the General Aviation sector. Although SXM is ranked number two in the region in terms of General Aviation, competition from other airports means that SXM needs to expand and upgrade its current facilities in order to maintain its market share. To date, SXM has been exceeding the number of bookings and private jets over previous years especially during the Christmas/New Year holiday period.