Construction is expected to begin by year-end on an FBO facility at St. Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM). According to the airport, private jet movements there last year were up 13 percent over 2012, and the increasing operational tempo and congested parking called for an upgrade. The new $5.5 million, 10,763-sq-ft terminal is expected to be completed 14 to 16 months after construction begins, and will include three retail outlets as well as customs, immigration and security services.

GA traffic at SXM is currently served by FBO operators Signature Flight Support (through a majority stake in Arrindell Aviation) and TLC Aviation, which occupy an airport-owned building. Whether they will continue to operate from the new facility has yet to be determined, but the service providers there will be expected to expand their own lounges to provide more services and amenities. To make room for the new complex, which will have more than an acre of ramp space, a government-operated fire station was demolished and will be relocated to a newly built landside location.