AIRPORT–Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (TEATT) Stuart Johnson said on Thursday that he and his Ministry are in full support of the Windward Islands Airways International Winair expansion and growth plans currently underway.
“I would like to commend the supervisory board, management and staff of Winair for their hard work and efforts currently underway and since the passing of [Hurricane – Ed.] Irma to turn things around for our local national airline.
“Winair has accomplished a lot during these challenging times that our nation finds itself in. However, the challenges acted as a motivation to put things in place and make sound business decisions which have allowed the national airline to expand and grow,” said Johnson.
He added that Winair’s management has been closely monitoring the airline’s performance, noticed that seat inventory remained insufficient, and therefore took immediate action to meet the demands of the aviation-travellers market to accommodate customer needs.
“Winair’s success is also founded in its relationships developed over the decades with destination partners and stakeholders in the northern and eastern Caribbean. We can look forward with confidence that the staff, management and supervisory board will continue to soar and connect by bringing people together and keeping family and friends in touch with each other especially during this festive time of the year. Hats off to Winair’s board, management and staff on a job well done,” Johnson said on Thursday.
Winair announced an increase in flights to Haiti as of December 1, 2018, three times a week, and upgrading to jet service using a Boeing 737 operated by Sunrise Airlines. The temporary jet service provides additional seat capacity of up to 133 seats per flight, serving Haiti for the holiday winter season.
Winair has also introduced additional capacity from December 1, 2018 to January 15, 2019, to Curaçao four times per week using a 72-seat aircraft. Services to Aruba three times a week have also been upgraded to the new Super ATR-72 along with a service to Bonaire one time per week.
Winair is also increasing service between St. Maarten and the Dominican Republic to a daily basis using the Super ATR-72 and its service to Dominica will increase from four to five times weekly. The national airline received its fourth Twin Otter aircraft in November, which will increase the airline’s airlift for the 2018-2019 high tourist season.
Winair expects increased demand for flights to and from its hub at Princess Juliana International Airport. “Winair has grown by leaps and bounds since September 2017, and its plans for expansion and growth demonstrate the determination of this little airline, which assures us that Winair is on track after making a remarkable comeback,” Johnson stated.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/83649-johnson-supports-winair-expansion
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