Winair expands operations,
adds two new destinations
ST. KITTS--Windward Island International Airways Winair is expanding its operations in the region in an effort to compete with LIAT and other airlines. It will be adding Montserrat and Barbuda to its list of destinations effective October 1.
The expansion plans were announced by Winair Managing Director Edwin Hodge at a press conference held in St. Kitts yesterday and attended by representatives of St. Maarten, St. Kitts and Nevis and Antigua media.
The latest addition to Winair’s routes comes on the heels of Carib Aviation’s announcement that it would be closing its doors September 30.
As Winair spreads its wings even wider, it will be providing two daily flights to Barbuda with the Twin Otter, Hodge said, and sometimes with an Islander aircraft and a higher frequency of flights. For Montserrat three daily flights with the Twin Otter on certain days and six to eight flights with the Islander will be put into operation.
Based on recent development offers, Hodge said, Winair and the governments of Antigua, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Dominica decided there was an opportunity to establish a stronger, closer and long working relationship. In this regard Hodge also met with Nevis Premier Joseph Parry on Monday.
“We are looking to form partnerships with different islands. The Nevis Island Government will be getting back to us very soon,” Hodge said. A meeting with the government of St. Kitts is also pending.
Regarding the Antigua and Barbuda route, he said Winair had proposed a fare structure to the Government of Antigua and the two parties were discussing the possibility of subsidising landing fees and guaranteeing seats as well.
Hodge, who has spoken to Antigua Minister of Aviation Harold Lovell on the matter, said Antigua had indicated it would be using Winair’s services. “However we have to put the pen to paper.” Hodge called the route between Antigua and Barbuda a “lifeline” for Barbuda, but said agreements had to be reached on how to make the route sustainable.
Concerning Nevis, Dominica and St. Kitts, Winair is currently revising its schedule to commence service to and from Antigua to ensure proper connections between Antigua and St. Maarten.
“This is due to a number of increased challenges and the company’s desire to continue a service to the people of Nevis and St. Kitts that they have grown to expect for a number of years now. We intend to maintain the St. Kitts and Nevis routes from St. Maarten while we source possible solutions eliminating the dilemma of rapidly increasing fuel and operational cost.”
Hodge said it was important that even after the growing fuel cost and the fact that other airlines received significant subvention and funding from various sources, Winair had maintained cheaper fares without these luxuries and assistance, as the company believed travelling via air was no longer a luxury, but a critical necessity.
Winair has sufficient pilots and aircraft to service the new routes, according to Hodge. The company is upgrading its fleet and because of the new ventures has cancelled its plans to return certain aircraft by the end of October.
In addition, Winair is looking into acquiring backup aircraft.
Meanwhile, Hodge also announced that Winair intended to hold regular press conferences on the various islands in the region to keep the public informed.
