Winair bids farewell to Captain Brouwer

The Daily Herald writes that Captain Age Brouwer has retired, after touching down at SXM Princess Juliana International Airport for the last time at 6:24pm on Saturday. He was given a water salute by the airport Fire Department and welcomed by a large gathering of Windward Island Airways International Winair staff members on the tarmac. “On January 31, 2015, as the sun set at Princess Juliana International Airport, so did the career of Captain Age Brouwer after 27 years,” his employer, Winair, said.

The final landing was witnessed by President of Winair’s Board Georges Greaux, Chief Executive Officer Michael Cleaver, a large cross-section of employees of each of the airline’s departments, and his family: wife Celia Martinez Brouwer and daughters Anjelica and Diana Brouwer.

Captain Brouwer’s final flight arrived from Saba, where he was surprised by a large turnout. Representatives of Johnson Travel Services, the Island Government of Saba, former Senators Will Johnson and Vernon Hassell, airport management, air traffic controllers, security personnel and the Fire Department were all in attendance to bid him a special farewell. The well-respected captain was presented with gifts, cards, hugs, happy birthday wishes and cheers of “Saba loves you Captain Brouwer.” Some tears were shed as well.

Captain Brouwer has been working with the airline since 1984 and has now retired at age 65. In 2013, the Island Government of Saba honoured him during the annual Saba Day celebration.

Winair continued its celebration across from its corporate office until late Saturday evening. During a brief speech, Captain Brouwer expressed how much he loved working for the national airline.