Aruba Airport proud of local airline growth

ORANJESTAD, Aruba: “We are convinced that Aruba Airlines is a good partner that will continue to grow and develop the Aruba aviation industry in the years to come, James Fazio, Chief Executive Officer of Aruba Airport Authority N.V. expressed Wednesday morning at the celebration of the airline’s first commercial flight from Aruba to Curaçao and the Dominican Republic.

In his speech, the Queen Beatrix International Airport director said that 2015 should be considered a remarkable year for Aruba Airlines, during which the airline introduced new routes with much success. Developments and expansion of the airport depend, among others, on the growth of local airlines. Contrary to the international companies, local airlines mostly stay overnight at the Aruba airport and thus sufficient parking must be created to accommodate them on the ramp.

The investment of over 150 million dollars in the coming years is to prepare the terminal to manage the additional flow of passengers arriving on the island. Undoubtedly the local airlines play a major role in these developments. The airport thus continues to invest, to innovate and expand its facilities, to accommodate more aircraft and manage more passengers.

Aruba Airlines, with its new Airbus A-320 aircraft featuring 150 comfortable seats, leaves Aruba at 8:15 a.m. from Aruba to Curaçao with flight AG-501 and continues at 9:30 a.m. from Curaçao to the Dominican Republic. The flight back leaves the Dominican Republic at 2:30 p.m. for Curaçao, and continues from there on to Aruba at 4:15 p.m.

There has been no competition on the route Aruba – Curaçao for more than a year, and the new flight will surely benefit passengers, in tariffs, flight time options and the number of seats available. The Curaçao and the Dominican Republic markets are important for Aruba, for family visits, events and short vacations.

Aruba Airport Authority N.V., working closely with Schiphol Group, manages a modern and efficient airport. We are one of the few countries worldwide with U.S. C.B.P. facilities, including U.S. immigration and customs, for the convenience of passengers, and providing flight preclearance prior to U.S. arrival.

In 2014, the Aruba airport handled over 2.5 million passengers, which translates into a growth surpassing 10% compared to the year before. This year, Aruba Airport Authority N.V. expects to continue to grow, in the number of flights as well as the number of travelers making use of the terminal.