Dakota building receives official monument status and collectors coin is minted

Amongst the special guests were over a dozen pioneers and visionaries of Aruba’s aviation industry, who were honored for their remarkable and invaluable contributions to the island's aviation journey.

After showing the video ‘100 years of aviation in Aruba’, Aruba Airport‘s CEO Joost Meijs took to the stage for his speech, followed by speeches by the Minister of Tourism & Public Health, Dangui Oduber, President of the Central Bank of Aruba, Jane Semeleer, and Minister of Finance and Culture Xiomara Maduro. Minister Maduro got an invitation to mint the first collector's coin, a first for an Aruban, dedicated to 100 years of aviation in Aruba.

During the festivities, they showed a video honoring thirteen persons, whose pioneering visions led to the development of Aruba’s aviation industry today. The following individuals received recognition: Juan Irausquin, Daniel Leo, Ernst Bartels, Michael Kuiperi, Octavio Yrausquin, Manuel Viana, Camilo and Tito Muyale, Frank Arendsz, Osling Toppenberg, Harold Oduber, Willem Vrolijk and Michael Nicholaas. Even though they recognized every one of these persons, the celebration was a collective tribute and acknowledgment of all participants in Aruba’s aviation journey during the past century. AAA CEO, Joost Meijs presented the acknowledged persons with a minted coin as special recognition for their contributions.

The Minister of Finance & Culture, Xiomara Maduro, also participated in the official unveiling of the Dakota Building and its designation as a Historical Monument for its role as one of Aruba’s first airport terminal buildings. Aruba Airport’s CEO Joost Meijs and the Minister placed the “Monumentenbureau” seal onto the historic building that served as the airport terminal from its opening in June 1942 to March 1950.

All of the 100 Years of Aviation Committee members received a thank you for the inspiration given and the work displayed during the past year to help turn the centennial aviation celebrations into a great success. Committee Member representatives from A.T.A., AAA, ANSA, DCA, Government of Aruba, and aviation expert Agustin Vrolijk, received praise and appreciation. It concluded the official and ceremonial events on Friday night, commemorating the first landing of an airplane in Aruba 100 years ago, on August 18, 1923.