PJIA welcomes Dr. Bekele as new Airport Medical Doctor

SIMPSON BAY--Princess Juliana International Airport Operating Company N.V. (PJIA) has welcomed Dr. Kalkidan Bekele as its new Airport Medical Doctor, succeeding Dr. Swanston, who previously served in the role.

PJIA said the appointment forms part of its continued focus on medical preparedness and emergency response at Princess Juliana International Airport, where Dr. Bekele will work closely with the airport’s Emergency Medical Technician team and relevant operational departments.

Her responsibilities will include providing medical expertise during emergencies, assisting the EMT team in responding to medical incidents and supporting triage and medical coordination during mass-casualty incidents or other major emergencies.

Dr. Bekele will also serve as PJIA’s designated medical contact for medical evacuation operations involving patients and passengers traveling through St. Maarten.

Where necessary, she will provide the medical authorization required for the airport to reopen on behalf of the Operations Director following medevac situations involving patients or passengers arriving from Saba or St. Eustatius and departing through Princess Juliana International Airport.

The responsibility places the Airport Medical Doctor within an important part of the airport’s wider regional role, particularly given PJIA’s position as a major connection point for neighboring islands.

Beyond emergency response, Dr. Bekele will provide medical guidance to PJIA management on emerging global health developments, including infectious diseases and other public health concerns that could affect airport operations.

PJIA said her expertise will help the airport remain informed and appropriately prepared as public health circumstances evolve.

The airport said access to medical expertise remains an important part of its preparedness framework, particularly in an environment that handles large numbers of passengers, employees, airline personnel and other airport users.

“Having access to qualified medical expertise is an important component of our overall emergency preparedness,” said PJIA Chief Executive Officer Michael Cleaver.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Bekele to the airport community and look forward to working with her. At the same time, we extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Swanston for the professionalism and commitment she demonstrated throughout her service to PJIA.”

PJIA also expressed appreciation to Dr. Swanston for her dedication and service during her tenure as Airport Medical Doctor.

The airport said it maintained a positive and productive working relationship with her and credited her contribution to PJIA’s medical preparedness and emergency response capabilities.

PJIA said continued cooperation among medical professionals, emergency response teams, operational departments and external partners remains central to safeguarding passengers, employees and the wider airport community.

‍