DAE inaugurates its jet service,
will add second Fokker 100 jet
AIRPORT--Dutch Antilles Express (DAE) had its inaugural flight with its new Fokker 100 jet to St. Maarten from Curaçao Thursday morning. Adding to this milestone for the company was the announcement that a second Fokker 100 will be joining the fleet in three weeks.
This fleet expansion is driven by the company’s quest to add flights to the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Trinidad, Suriname and Colombia in the coming months, DAE Director Raymundo Saleh told a press conference at Princess Juliana International Airport after the Fokker 100 had landed.
Saleh said DAE was pleased with this new milestone, which was the fruit of a lot of effort of a number of people inside and outside of the company. The aircraft are part of DAE’s new approach to flying, which is to offer travellers sophistication, economic value and a safe operation.
DAE is committed to keeping the Netherlands Antilles connected, which is not only beneficial for the family ties amongst the island but for the tourism industry that is fuelled and dependent on reliable and regular airlift, Saleh added.
According to pilot Said Raimond Flores, the Fokker 100 jet has comfortable leg room, caters to 100 passengers and completes the one-way trip in one hour and 20 minutes. The new aircraft, which is fully owned by DAE, has the capability for automatic landing and takeoff.
Members of the press of Bonaire, Curaçao and St. Maarten were invited to experience a round trip flight from Curaçao to St. Maarten and back to Curaçao. They were joined by DAE representatives and other officials.
With the introduction of the Fokker 100 aircraft, the itineraries of all DAE routes will be adapted. Departure and arrival times will also be reviewed to facilitate better connections with international flights.
The Fokker will fly between Curaçao and St. Maarten daily, leaving Curaçao at 9:00am and leaving St. Maarten at 11:00am.
The ATR propeller aircraft will also be deployed. There will be two daily flights on days the ATR flies. DAE says the business travellers should find this attractive because they will be able to fly back and forth between Curaçao and St. Maarten the same day.
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