Archive for January, 2009

Aruba has many foundations that work on a voluntary basis and without structural funding for their works. Red Cross Aruba is one of these foundations. As the Red Cross and all its volunteers are very important for the airport the managing Director of AAA N.V., Mr. Peter Steinmetz, during its relations party proudly handed a check of Awg. 10.000,- to the Red Cross. Mr. Steinmetz expressed that AAA N.V. values the great job and cooperation that the Red Cross team gives to the community in general and the airport in particular.

Mr. Greg Peterson, president of the Red Cross Aruba gratefully accepted the check from Mr. Steinmetz and thanked AAA N.V. for its annual support. As token of appreciation he gave Mr. Steinmetz a calendar with pictures of local birds that is used by the Red Cross for fund raising purposes. He furthermore referred to the Red Cross photo exposition at the airport at gates 3 and 4, also for fundraising purposes.

Aruba’s Biggest Party is a Month-Long Celebration Where Music and Colorful Costumes. Play a Central Role, Along with Special Travel Deals for Visitors

Aruba, the island with the highest repeat visitor rate in the Caribbean, kicks off the island’s largest month-long party with the 55th annual Carnival celebration, now through February 24, 2009.

Aruba’s Carnival celebration is a colorful event, during which music and extravagant costumes take center stage.  The month-long festival consists of street parties, festive parades and creative contests for locals and visitors alike.  Parties are held in various districts throughout the month, giving everyone the opportunity to participate and dance to Aruba’s most popular brass band, steel band and roadmarch tunes.

“Carnival is one of Aruba’s most important and vibrant celebrations,” said Gina Lopez, public relations director for the Aruba Tourism Authority.  “It is a great opportunity for both the local people and visitors to get involved in these exciting cultural events, giving visitors a true inside look into the color, flare and enthusiasm of the Aruban people.”

The main attractions include events like the Carnival Queen Election, which takes place on February 6, where Aruba elects one of its most important Carnival representatives, the Aruba Carnival Queen.  Aruba’s Tivoli Lighting Parade takes place on February 14 in downtown Oranjestad and incorporates thousands of tiny lights into costumes, road pieces and floats, bringing an added dramatic effect to the extravagant display.  February 18 marks Aruba’s annual Tourist Night at Paseo Herencia, featuring steel band music and some of the best costumes featured during Carnival.

Carnival’s biggest event is the 55th Grand Carnival Parade, an all-day event, which winds its way down city avenues to the delight of thousands of spectators. The Grand Parade takes place on February 22, and is filled with music and festive floats and costumes, in imaginative designs and decorated with a wide variety of colorful stones and feathers, creating a unique display. The parade starts at 11:00 a.m. in Oranjestad and continues into the evening hours.

ORANJESTAD – During its Relations party held on Friday January 16, 2009, AAA N.V. awarded Surinam Airways with the Wow! Award 2008. During his speech, AAA’s Managing Director Mr. Peter Steinmetz mentioned that every year AAA N.V. will award one of its relations for an achievement that stood out during the previous year.
That’s why this year AAA N.V. is very proud to announce that the winner of the first  Wow! Award was Surinam Airways for the introduction of the flight from Paramaribo, that transits on Aruba and continues to Miami. With the procedures implemented for this flight, it became the first hub product of the Aeropuerto Internacional Reina Beatrix.

Mr. Henk Fitz-Jim of Surinam Airways was very surprised and honoured with this prize. He thanked the Aruba Airport Authority N.V. and all authorities for the cooperation received in order to realize the Paramaribo-Aruba-Miami flight. He ended by informing everyone present that in 2009 there is much more to be expected from Surinam Airways. Amongst others Surinam Airways will add a third flight to Miami via Aruba.
The pictures illustrate when Mr. Steinmetz announced and presented the Wow! Award 2008 to Mr. Henk Fitz-Jim of Surinam Airways.