Winair staff assured
airline will stay flying
Staff recognised for dedicated service~
COLE BAY--Staff of Windward Islands Airways International (Winair) were reassured by Board Chairman Fernando Williams and Managing Director Edwin Hodge that all is being done to ensure the airline is safe and stays in the air.
Williams shared this with the staff and family members, management and other board members at the airline’s gala dinner held at La Terrasse, Port de Plaisance, last week.
He also stressed the importance of management and staff working together to bring Winair back to its rightful place of leadership in the Caribbean air transport field.
The airline is definitely going places, as its debt gap is closing, Hodge said. “We boast that the liquidity position of Winair is improving, but we are not out of the woods yet. We still have to keep our belts tight and look for ways and means to cut cost to enable the company to have savings, which will eventually come back to all of us.”
The company has grown in its 45 years’ history from a seasonal airline for the North American and European markets an established name in the Caribbean and South America through partnerships with Insel Air, Surinam Airways and Conviasa.
Hodge also stressed management’s commitment to the workers and their well being. “The goal of management is your goal, which is to keep Winair safe, to improve customer service and finally become a profitable airline for all of us.”
To mitigate the shortage of pilots and mechanics, staffers were told that Winair will soon give the opportunity to qualified persons to apply for sponsorship to become commercial pilots/mechanics, who will in turn work for Winair.
Several staff members were recognised by board and management for their dedicated service to the company. Recognised were Aline Fleming (Flight Operations), James Barry (Ground Crew), Roberto Richie (Pilot), Cassidy Hendricks (Customer Services), Jonathon Da Silva (Finance Department), Teslyn Henry (Revenue Accounting Department) and Keeven Duzong (Maintenance).
Dennis Dowling, retired mechanic, was honoured for giving more than 30 years of service to Winair by keeping the aircraft safe. Gertrude Souchet was also honoured for her 30 years and counting of service in Winair Customer Service Department.
Staff members were informed that as the airline seeks to increase its excess baggage revenue, a portion will be returned to all staff of the customer service department.
Cheques for NAf. 65 to NAf. 560 were presented to some 15 staff members. All of them had the opportunity to win prizes, such as tickets on partner airlines, hotel stays and dinners.
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