An Aruba airport fire service proposal has received support from the STA union as Aruba Airport Authority considers establishing a dedicated rescue and firefighting unit at Queen Beatrix International Airport.
Airport leadership raised the dedicated-unit plan
STA leader Diego de Cuba told Diario that Aruba Airport Authority chief executive Jonny Andersen discussed the airport’s interest in having its own firefighting organization stationed at the airfield during a recent meeting.
Aruba currently relies on the national fire service for airport coverage. De Cuba said a dedicated unit would better align the airport’s operating structure with international aerodrome rescue and firefighting expectations.
Union links the proposal to certification
De Cuba cited the International Civil Aviation Organization’s aerodrome rescue and firefighting framework and said STA supports the proposal because safety compliance is central to airport certification.
He also said he did not know the proposal’s expected budget impact or the status of the airport’s current audit. The report therefore presents the unit as a plan under consideration rather than a completed organizational change.
Safety standards carry national importance
The union leader emphasized that Aruba’s dependence on tourism makes reliable airport operations and adherence to international standards especially important. A dedicated service would concentrate rescue and firefighting resources at the airport while the authority works through the operational, staffing and financial details.
Source: Diario.
