Category: Press Releases

WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao Airport Partners (CAP) gladly announces that it is has been working on several adjustments to the airport facilities in order to comply with  guidelines established by our local authorities, which will allow our island to once again  welcome travelers. All travelers, whether inbound or outbound, can be assured that a carefully constructed plan has been put in place to safeguard their travel, and the well-being of our airport personnel.

Several necessary adaptations are being made by CAP in order to meet these new guidelines while also maintaining a high-level service for all travelers and airport users. The airport experience must remain an exciting one, where our visitors can genuinely feel the excitement of embarking on their new adventures or visit Curaçao to finally embrace a loved one. That experience must remain a safe, pleasant, and cherished moment, and we are dedicated to ensuring that this experience is remembered as a special moment.

Some modifications have been made in the Check-in Hall; opening hours have been adjusted; passengers only are allowed in the Check-in area; and face covering is required before entering this area. Also, until the situation changes, between each airline check-in counter there will be an empty one to keep an acceptable physical distance between employees and passengers. CAP will also install Plexiglas in front of the airline counters and other passenger touch-points areas, and all employees will be wearing appropriate protection equipment. Additionally, currently only one boarding pass barcode reader will be used to control the flow of passengers in order to maintain the physical distancing guidelines.

At the main security checkpoint, a personal bottle of hand sanitizer is allowed in quantities of 12 ounces (approx. 350 ML) per passenger which is not required to be placed in a ’Ziploc’ bag. All personal belongings such as mobile phones, wallets and keys must not be placed in the bins but must be kept in the carry-on baggage.

Physical distancing guidelines also apply in the entire airport, and passengers are expected to take personal responsibility to manage their association with other travelers in a responsible manner. All restaurants and shops outside the airport and in the Departure Hall have also made the necessary adjustments to their operations to comply with these guidelines.

Throughout the airport you will notice signs that will make you aware of the maintain appropriate physical distancing and observe personal hygiene practices. Our Public Address System, digital screens, and printed messages will remind you to observe the protocols, hand sanitizing dispensers have been placed in designated areas of the airport for the convenience of the passengers, periodic disinfection in all high traffic areas is scheduled, and cleaning protocols are also being intensified.

Passengers are strongly advised to check-in online, to purchase their Passenger Facility Charge (Airport Tax) online via www.curacao-airport.com, and to plan to arrive at the airport with sufficient time to reduce overall congestion. Longer waiting times is expected and we appreciate your patience and understanding until the travel experience returns to normal.

CAP is doing its utmost to keep the airport experience as enjoyable as possible during these unprecedented times while providing all passengers and visitors with a safe and healthy experience, while using our facilities. It is our constant goal to keep providing you an unforgettable experience while using our facilities and airport services.

Willemstad – Curaçao Airport Partners (CAP), in its effort to constantly improve its services for travelers, is proud to present ‘The Hidden Disability Sunflower Lanyard’. Wearing this lanyard discreetly indicates to airport staff that you have a disability and that you may need additional help when moving through the airport. The Hidden Disability Sunflower program was launched in 2016 by Gatwick Airport in London and each day more airports and organizations are becoming members. Curaçao International Airport, as the first airport in the Caribbean, is now on the list of proud participants.

Not all disabilities are visible; some are not immediately obvious such as autism, chronic pain, dementia, and anxiety. Hidden disabilities include learning difficulties, mental health problems as well as mobility, speech, visual or hearing deficiency. The Hidden Disability Sunflower Lanyard enables someone with a hidden disability to choose to be visible, so that support, assistance or just a little more time may be given when moving through the airport.

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower suggests happiness, positivity, and strength. The design is a bright yellow sunflower placed on a green background, so that it is clearly visible from a distance. It is vital that all Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyards (including a badge) are visually consistent to avoid any confusion or hesitation recognizing them, so that wearers universally get the support, or assistance that they may need.

The Sunflower Lanyard and Badge are to be used (simultaneously) solely for travelling purposes on the airport premises and they can also be used at other participating airports around the world. Schiphol Amsterdam is also one of the participating airports which will give the wearer comfort when departing from Curaçao to Amsterdam as both airports apply the same standards. For an extensive list of other participating entities, you can visit this website.

CAP believes that it is important that everyone who has a hidden disability and who chooses to be visible (recognized), should have access to one lanyard. As the first step of implementing this program, CAP will focus on autism travelers. For this reason, a partnership has been established with the local Autism Aid Foundation. Hidden Disability Sunflower Lanyards are available free of charge via this foundation and all its members will receive a Sunflower Lanyard, that can be used when traveling.

CAP wants to expand this service by partnering to other local foundations that focus on autism and other disabilities. It is our aim to continue providing and creating awareness among the airport community and our island. CAP will soon publish these initiatives on its website.

Organizations or foundations representing clients with hidden disabilities, interested in joining the Sunflower Scheme Program of our airport, can contact CAP via hiddendisability@curacao-airport.com.

Click here for the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

Willemstad, September 1, 2020  ̶  Taking the recent turn of events, where the country is now facing local transmissions of the virus into account, Curaçao Airport Partners N.V. (CAP) has evaluated its Prevention & Contingency Plan and quickly moved into the next phase which is appropriate for the situation as is at the moment, in order to maintain the level of safety for the passengers and all employees of the airport Community.

As previously informed, the focus of CAP was very much on the inbound and outbound passengers as it was not yet the case that we were having local spreading of the virus. Seen the change of the situation, CAP has implemented as of now an intensification of the rules and guidelines being practiced since the start of the pandemic in all offices and employee circulation areas.

Intensified precautionary measures in all employee circulating areas

CAP employees are now required to wear facial protection/masks within internal areas as well and the number of employees permitted at once in the offices has been adapted to the minimum. As far as work allows, all employees will be working as much as possible from home as recommended by the Government. Daily enhanced cleaning and sanitizing activities have been implemented in all employee circulating areas and visitors are not allowed into these areas unless strictly necessary. If for some reason visitors are to be allowed, facial protection will be a must and they will only be tended to in designated areas as opposed to personal office spaces. Virtual meetings are highly preferable and if not possible to meet virtually, the already established minimum number of attendees to ensure physical distance will be permitted in a meeting or training room only when using facemasks, and the use of hand sanitizer continues to be mandatory at all times. These will be sanitized directly after the meeting or training has taken place. This also applies for all CAP canteens.

External precautionary measures (reminder)

Passengers should keep in mind that the same guidelines implemented from the beginning are still in place, while new ones have been implemented for all airport users to adhere to when having an employee who has been tested positive with COVID-19. Passengers are still strongly advised to check-in online and to arrive at the airport earlier than usual before their flight to avoid lanes, encourage physical distancing and reduce overall congestion. The Check-in hall remains only accessible for the departing passengers and it is required for all passengers to wear a mask inside the airport facilities and strictly follow the physical distancing requirement as shown by floor markings and adhere to the airport’s health and safety guidelines as applied throughout the entire airport. These regulations are also applicable at all restaurants and shops on the outside part of the airport building and in the departure hall which have these rules of the ‘new normal’ in place. Passengers should always keep paying attention to the full awareness of the physical distancing, personal hygiene, and the use of hand sanitizers being announced repeatedly through the public announcement, digital screens, and signs. There is even more frequent cleaning and disinfection in all high traffic areas and office spaces while the amount of hand sanitizing dispensers in designated areas of the airport has been increased. The use of these is highly encouraged.

We kindly remind everyone to continue to keep yourselves and others safe by practicing physical distancing at all times on our premises. CAP is determined to contribute in all ways possible to the fight against this virus by protecting all employees and passengers/visitors. Therefore, no effort will be too great for this goal.

Willemstad July 23, 2020  ̶  It is almost that time of the year again when our airport premises will serve as the center stage of an utmost crucial moment in the lives of many youngsters, who will be leaving families, friends and their beloved island as they embark on their further educational journey abroad in The Netherlands.  This year, Curaçao Airport Partners (CAP) is preparing once again to assist on this big day while taking all safety measures related to the new normal into consideration. This year’s farewell for students departing for the Netherlands will be extra emotional with all the possible concerns of parents who are sending their children off into a world where we are unfortunately experiencing a life changing, historic moment due to this pandemic.

CAP has adapted its operations to the ‘new normal’ since the start of this pandemic. In order to make this day as easy for the families as we can, we have defined a setup which will adhere to the precautionary guidelines that belong to this new normal, while also providing families the time and space to say their goodbyes. It will be a regular business day for our airport, meaning that all regular operations will and must continue as usual. However, our personnel is well aware of the higher amount of persons that will be present and managing this crowd accordingly will be of utmost importance. Therefore, we hereby wish to inform all visitors and passengers and the family members of these departing students to take good note of the following changes we have implemented to accommodate the large group of visitors expected on this day.

Checking-in:

The check-in hall remains only accessible for the departing passengers, Therefore, besides regular passengers, it is only allowed for the students and the team of the SSC organization and Airport Community to be inside of the check-in hall. Thus, all parents and other family members must say goodbye to the youngsters outside on the airport boulevard. In this area, there will also be a coordinated effort to manage the crowd and ensure all goes well and safe. An exception to the rule on this day will be for the students who are underage, to be accompanied inside the check-in hall by only 1 parent or legal guardian. It is possible to start checking in from 11am. If a student checks in after 1pm, he/she cannot go back outside and must proceed to join the rest of the group upstairs in the waiting hall. Furthermore, as instructed to the students during a special virtual session to explain the guidelines, it is required for all passengers, including these students to wear a mask inside the airport facilities and strictly follow the airport health and safety guidelines.

Dropping-off/ Parking:

The drop-off lane will be strictly coordinated in order to ensure a smooth flow for all who need to drop-off their luggage. One of the drop-off lanes (the right-hand side) will be closed making it even more important for everyone to be quick when dropping off passengers as the spaces will be limited. We also wish to remind all to make use of the parking lot accordingly and avoid any inconveniences due to incorrect parking. We advise to make use of ‘carpooling’ as much as possible on this day. We advise not to park your car along the side on the FD Rooseveltweg as it may be towed away. You can make use of our parking lot to ensure your car is safe and from there you can also walk to the old lookout point (‘Mirador bieu’) to see the plane depart as the new lookout point (‘Mirador nobo’) remains closed since the start of the pandemic.

Arriving at the airport/Handbags:

We encourage all passengers to be on time to avoid any inconveniences. We strongly suggest all students to check in online in order to save time and avoid long queues. With regards to the main screening procedures, it is allowed to have a max of 12oz (350 milliliter) of hand sanitizer and keep all personal belongings and electrical devices in handbags or ‘carry-on’. Lastly, we kindly remind everyone to continue to keep yourselves and others safe by practicing physical distancing at all times on our premises.

We wish the departing students much success in this new phase of their lives. May you be enlightened with knowledge as you learn, grow and experience one of the greatest phases of your life. See you when coming back home for a well-deserved vacation!

Island of Curaçao shines again!

Willemstad March 1, 2020  ̶  The Curaçao International Airport has earned the 2020 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Award for: Best Airport by Size and Region (under 2 million passengers per year in Latin America and Caribbean), a recognition by Airports Council International (ACI) World. Yet another recognition, the 3rd in a row, for the community of the Curaçao International Airport that has been working tirelessly throughout this pandemic.  The entire community is beyond ecstatic with this achievement as it brings with it even more motivation to continue to focus and work hard to surpass the current challenges as a consequence of the pandemic.

As co-CEOs of Curaçao Airport Partners (CAP) stand filled with joy and pride in the airport hall, they share: “The work continues, and the experience, a safe and pleasant one when at our premises, remains the number one priority of each CAP employee and each member of our Airport Community” said Mr. Paulo Mazzali.  Mr. Norman Gómez continued: “When hope, commitment, creativity and talent are combined, it is impossible to not shine through and make a lasting impact which will drive all to persevere”.

As indicated, the Curaçao International Airport was awarded recently with other recognitions. Past November 2020, with the ACI Airport Health Accreditation  ̶  a reward for the efforts of not only CAP, but also all its stakeholders at the airport, for providing a safe and healthy environment to all the personnel, travelers, and visitors, as it looks into all aspects that relate to these groups while on premises. CAP continued throughout to ensure that the best possible practice of health and safety guidelines were provided, and this did not go unnoticed by customers, by visitors as it recently landed CAP ‘The Voice of the Customer’ as well, another recognition by the ACI. The airport community as a whole stood out for its remarkable input to keep passengers, employees, and visitors of the Curaçao International Airport well informed and safe during the ongoing pandemic and visitors shared valuable feedback through ACI’s Airport Service Quality program which resulted in said award.

The Curaçao International Airport invites one and all to stay connected via social media as they continue to share much more valuable information regarding the daily operations, guidelines to continue keeping us all safe, and also the opportunity to participate in fabulous campaigns as the celebration of this yet another great achievement, continues. So, make sure to Like and Follow the Facebook page Curaçao International Airport so you don’t miss out!

For more information: https://aci.aero/news/2021/03/01/worlds-best-airports-for-customer-experience-revealed/

Willemstad February 6, 2020 – The recent developments regarding the new Coronavirus has been receiving worldwide attention and CAP, as the operating company of our international airport that welcomes passengers from all over the world on a daily basis, is well aware of the importance of giving due attention to this situation, as it is our responsibility to do all we can to keep this port of entry of Curaçao, our personnel and passengers as safe as we possibly can.

To ensure CAP is well-informed on the situation and assisted accordingly, we have been working closely together with Dr. Izzy Gerstenbluth, head of the Epidemiology & Social Science department for Curaçao, for more than a week now in order to be able to manage the situation at hand as it should. We have discussed all precaution measures and other actions that should be taken by our airport and based on his information and recommendations, and in close collaboration with the entire airport community, we’ve agreed on a series of actions of which some are already in place at our airport.

Information sessions have been provided to all CAP employees and stakeholders present at the airport regarding this virus and the precaution measures that should be taken at all times during this situation. Also, to keep our passengers informed, we have provided digital information about hygiene and staying healthy while traveling, which are being projected on different screens throughout the airport. Also, posters containing coughing and hygiene information will be installed in all six jetways. Those visiting our premises and or arriving or departing from the airport will be hearing instructions through the public announcement within the airport regarding what to do if you feel any symptoms. In addition, a procedure is being set in place to be followed in case a passenger with the symptoms of this disease is detected or reported by the airlines, and how to inform the local health authority. Furthermore, we are also sharing information through our social media platforms and will for sure keep looking into other new possibilities.

Thus, CAP has set all these measures in place with the great cooperation of the entire airport community and of Dr. Izzy Gerstenbluth and his team, who provided the information. Rest assured that CAP will continue to monitor the developments around this virus.

WILLEMSTAD – Nothing is more important than safety. As concerns continue about the coronavirus, Curaçao Airport Partners (CAP), as the operating company of our international airport, has established precautionary measures, recommended by the Curaçao Health Authority, to ensure the safety of all passengers and employees and ensure coordination between all parties that are responsible for the safety at the airport. An effective response also requires the active participation of a well-informed public.

The current novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, which began in December 2019, presents a significant challenge for the entire world. To ensure CAP is well prepared on the situation, we have been working closely together with the Epidemiology & Social Science Department of Curaçao. The dedicated multi-disciplinary team, a well-trained team composed by Airport Operations, Aviation Security and Hato Fire Department, have discussed all precaution measures and other actions that should be taken by the airport.  Based on information and recommendations received by the governmental entity, we have agreed on a series of actions to intensify the safety measures with the goal to prevent the spread of the virus.

These measures, undertaken to increase awareness of the situation, include the availability of digital information with precautionary measures on the Flight Information Display Systems (FIDS) in the check-in and departure hall. Posters containing coughing and hygiene information are being installed in all bathrooms, at the info desk counter, in the VIP lounge, at the Jet Centre, on the tax counter and at the Badge Center. This information has been supplied by Local Public Health Authorities.

Also, hand sanitizer dispensers are being installed at strategic points for passengers and employees. Information sessions and updates are being provided to all CAP employees and stakeholders present at the airport regarding this virus and the precaution measures that should be taken at all times during this situation.

Preventing the spread of an outbreak requires a massive global effort, but there are steps everyone can take. Those include avoiding contact with sick people; not touching your eyes, mouth and nose with unwashed hands; staying home when you’re sick; and covering your sneeze or cough with a tissue that you then throw out immediately.

It’s important to mention that health precautions are also being implemented with suspected cases. The Airport Operations Department, according to our preparedness plan approved by the Curaçao Health Authority, distributes necessary personal protective equipment (masks and medical gloves) to the staff that will handle directly with the suspected passenger(s), who will be escorted via the airside to a quarantine area for suspected passengers with COVID-19 with a designated vehicle, while limiting contact with other people as much as possible.

The safety and security of our passengers and employees will always be our top priority. Our multi-disciplinary team will continue to receive training, including conducting simulated emergencies specifically related to the current situation.