Longer Safer Runways at Reina Beatrix Airport in Aruba … What Took You So Long?

It is nice to see Aruba finally got around to making sure that their runways were safe for tourists as airplanes land and take off. Just how many planes have taken off and landed from Reina Beatrix airport with what would have been the shorter runway?

“The most important objective was extending the runways, so that extra safety zones are created. These safety zones are for aircrafts that have trouble during take off and landing”

Safety zones for aircrafts that have trouble during take off and landing? Important objective? If it was so important, why was this not done years ago, like say the 1980’s?

Longer runways ready

ORANJESTAD – The project for safer runways of the Reina Beatrix airport is officially complete. The runways are now 60 meters longer and better illuminated. The total cost of this project called Runway End Safety Area & Safety Approach Lighting System is more than 13 million florins. Aruba Airport Authority (AAA) started with this project in November of 2007. “The most important objective was extending the runways, so that extra safety zones are created. These safety zones are for aircrafts that have trouble during take off and landing”, said Peter Steinmetz, director of AAA. (Amigoe: July 1, 2008)