During the early morning hours of January 18, 2024, Aruba Airport grappled with an inadequately functioning cooling system, resulting in temperatures within the facility falling below the threshold of safety and security. The malfunctioning cooling system posed the potential for adverse effects, exposing passengers and airport staff to unhealthy and unsafe conditions due to elevated temperatures. Furthermore, the presence of condensed water on terminal floors created slippery hazards, compounding the risks associated with the malfunction.
As a result, to guarantee a safe and healthy situation for passengers and staff, Airport management decided to stop the regular airport processes and close the airport runway until the cooling system could be repaired and normal temperatures inside of the building could be guaranteed again.
The airport was closed at 8:45 AM but operations restarted at 12.00 noon with the check-in processes and with the terminal and runway processes and operation re-starting at 12:30 PM.
Why was the cooling system not working?
Repair efforts were underway during the night spanning from January 17th to 18th, 2024, aimed at addressing a minor leakage in one of the chiller pipes. However, the nocturnal repair process encountered an unforeseen technical complication. This unanticipated challenge impeded the timely resolution of the pipe leakage and the subsequent restart of the cooling system essential for today’s airport operations. At around 11:15 AM the leakage was repaired, and the cooling system could be re-started to cool the buildings.
The repair works performed, and the difficulties encountered will be thoroughly assessed and evaluated. Any learning will result in mitigating measures preventing re-occurrence of similar situations.
Impact on travelers and airlines.
Due to the cooling issue experienced, the check-in process for flights scheduled to depart around noon today faced delays. Aircraft operations upon arrival also experienced some delays. Approximately 10 U.S. flights and a few non-U.S. flight operations were impacted. Passengers already at the airport were given the option to wait in comfortable areas at the Hyatt Place until check-in resumed. Both waiting areas, at the hotel and the airport, provided complimentary drinks and snacks to affected passengers. Some flights in transit to Aruba were diverted, with one redirected to Curacao and two to Puerto Rico. These diverted flights will later continue to Aruba today. We have not had any cancellations and all other airport operations are expected to continue despite the current delays. We do encourage passengers to verify arrival and departure times through their respective airlines or by visiting www.airportaruba.com.
The airport management extends heartfelt apologies for any inconvenience experienced by travelers, airport users, and staff. We sincerely appreciate the patience and collaboration demonstrated by AAA’s staff, authorities, all airport users, and the Hyatt Place during this morning and afternoon.
About AUA Airport
AUA Airport is one of the busiest airports in the Caribbean region, with 22 different airlines operating into Aruba contributing to processing over 2.5 million passengers per year and providing air service to 22 cities and 34 non-stop destinations worldwide. AUA Airport’s markets served comprise of 76% from the United States & Canada, 14% from Latin America, 6% from Europe, and 4% from Dutch Caribbean, year to date, December 2023. AUA Airport attributes this to the island’s stable economic and political climate, hospitable and multilingual population, and safe environment. AUA Airport’s aspiration is to become one of the most Sustainable, Safe, and Future Proof airports of the Latin America & Caribbean region, providing a trusted workplace, modern airport facilities and excellent customer service which reflects Aruban hospitality, contributing to a prosperous future for Aruba.
Learn more about what’s happening at AUA Airport by visiting www.airportaruba.com and connect with AUA Airport on Twitter.com/Aruba_Airport, Facebook.com/ArubaAirport, Instagram.com/arubaairport/ and Linkedin.com/ArubaAirport.