CONVIASA flies into Dominica

The aircraft on the ground at Melville Hall Airport

Venezuelan Airline CONVIASA has been reintroduced into Dominica as it seeks to further enhance connectivity between the Caribbean and Central and South America as well as serve as a bridge towards improving diplomatic relations between Dominica and Venezuela.

Minister of Ports Rayburn Blackmoore, speaking at the airlines inaugural flight last evening, articulated appreciation to the Government and people of Venezuela and spoke of the initiative signaling the commitment of Venezuela to its investment in the works at the Melville Hall Airport and in Dominica.

CONVIASA Pres. Jesus Vinas greets Min. of Ports Rayburn Blackmoore (left) and Toursim Min. Ian Douglas

Blackmoore said, “At this juncture permit me to express my Government’s most profound gratitude for the support thus far from the Government and people of Venezuela. This journey that has brought us to this point could not have been possible without that support. We owe it to you through your most distinguished ambassador. I want to say that every civic minded Dominican is looking forward to the bountiful result for such a massive investment in this airport facility. What is happening here today will therefore allow us to realize such results because we believe that it is only by increased activity, by way of additional flights, that we can realize the economic good and social prosperity from such an investment.”

President of CONVIASA Jesus Viñas said that he hopes the reintroduction of the airline will be the first step in the growth of the relationship between the two countries and believes that the airline can be the link connecting the Caribbean to South America and to the European markets, with which CONVIASA already partners. He also hopes the initiative will reshape the tourism product in Dominica, Venezuela and by extension the wider Caribbean.

CONVIASA serviced Dominica for three years until September last year when an accident led to a reshuffle at the company and  Viñas believes that under his new leadership the airline will be a permanent fixture in Dominica’s flight schedules.

This assurance comes despite the fact that the airline has only applied for and been granted a 1-month license, according to Blackmoore. He, however, stated that the Government is looking forward to CONVIASA being granted a 3-year license, once application has been made.

Dominica’s Ambassador to Venezuela  Philbert Aaron also welcomed the airline last evening, calling it another aspect of the cooperation between the two nations, sentiments that were supported by Venezuelan Ambassador to Dominica Carmen Martinez de Grijaiva.

CONVIASA is intent upon providing alternate air transport routes to its nearly 20 destinations in South America and the Caribbean and the airline will serve Dominica through H.H.V Whitchurch and Co. Ltd. It will fly between Dominica and Venezuela every Tuesday and Thursday, with stops in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

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36 Comments

  1. DGFF
    August 20, 2011

    Yes ; a nice air bridge between Dominica and one of the worst dictatorship in this world today !
    Shame

    • 4REAL
      August 20, 2011

      Every day you people want things ask for things when it do come, what you poeple do ? Just assify yourselfs. What do you people want or need ? Dominica have had diplomatic relation with Venezuela for years, we are talking about long time. Please MAMA LOOKS educate yourself first before you talk.

    • August 20, 2011

      LOLOLOLOL
      BOY U GUYS ARE KILLING ME

      BUT IS TRUE…AND SPEAK NOTHING OF THE DRUGS

  2. TJ
    August 19, 2011

    Alternatives air travel into DA is needed. Congratulations Conviasa!

  3. lemley
    August 19, 2011

    Is this a cargo plane or a passenger plane? I haven’t seen the captain in this picture. What I am seeing is 2 men a brown uniform T-shirts, I believed they the plane engineers…

  4. true
    August 19, 2011

    Oh well, so much for the excitment, another dust cropper has landed. “chupes – suck teeth” hi pi pip

  5. D.A Massive
    August 19, 2011

    Turbo prop or ATR-42 400, the fact is that the aircraft has landed signalling a start to something promising. Keep up the good work guys, the more flights we get the more employment opportunities exists. Big up D/ca

  6. Yeh Right
    August 19, 2011

    I commend the effort to incorporate this airline into the Melleville Hall operation however I remain skeptical of this dog and pony show. A one month operating license does not signal commitment or progress. Why get the croppers excited when it is just a passing cloud. It would have been prudent to get that 3 years operating agreement and then tickle our fancies.
    Live and Learn- After this fanfare and charade at the inauguration of night landing and then the disappointing news that we were no where close to night landing operational requirements ,Boyyyyy I learn a goooood lesson. The Incompetence of this administration is becoming more and more illuminated. It is obvious that tactfulness and managerial capabilities is dearth within the present administration. It is very apparent that the administration is impulsive and disorganized. I am prepared to bite my tongue on this but I predict that this new airline announcement is yet another episode of a one night stand; another attempt to fool unsuspecting Dominicans. One noted difference Tony is not involved in this deceitful and divisive “ lie to the people” ongoing program.

  7. The Monitor
    August 19, 2011

    “…CONVIASA serviced Dominica for three years until September last year when an accident led to a reshuffle at the company.”

    What type of accident?

    • MarMar
      August 19, 2011

      One of CONVIASA flights crashed in Venezuela. They suspended many of their routes until all air crafts were properly maintained and many replaced.

    • iwannabeapilot
      August 19, 2011

      If i recall correctly, there was a thread on airliners.net about a conviasa ATR that crashed shortly before landing in Guyana. I think it was in late 2010. too lazy to look it up :lol:

    • Change
      August 19, 2011

      A tyre came off

    • Standalone
      August 19, 2011

      Monitor the white men who builds those aircrafts will tell you there is no 100% security

  8. Homeboy
    August 19, 2011

    No matter the type of airplane, any mode of flight that increase air access to this wonderful country is a plus. Please have night landing!!! I tired of overnighting in ANU and PR..

  9. DA
    August 19, 2011

    That’s nice DA ..

  10. SuckIt
    August 19, 2011

    Hey look it’s a turboprop airplane told you a 737 will never land in Dominica -.-

    • bob
      August 19, 2011

      a 737 already landed there if you go to the airport they have pics of it 8-O

      • August 19, 2011

        DID IT TAKE OFF AGAIN?

    • bougla
      August 19, 2011

      Be optimistic . I believe Blackmore said some time ago that the upgraded airport can accomodate 737 landings . :-P

    • Sout Man
      August 19, 2011

      Never say never.

    • Kanpeche
      August 19, 2011

      …and…and…and this is what you have to say after reading the news. I am beginning to think that there is a special river in DA where people like you go to drink negative water. Breathe a little. let’s give things an opportunity to see where growth is possible. Boo!hoo!hoo! “I told you a 737 will never land in Dominica.” Boo!hoo!hoo! Wek! Wek! grow up.

      • yout
        August 19, 2011

        the FAA has not and will not grant passenger 737 aircrafts the rights to land and take-off at mellvillehall….there is no room for error on a “pull up” whilst landing from the sea……

    • RMA
      August 19, 2011

      At least something has landed. Some of you Dominicans are backward and close minded that is why Dominica is the way it is. Some of you want to run before you walk. Let us appreciate what we have at the moment. Bigger and better things will come and you all will still be crying for more. Do not worry the international airport will come then you all will be crying for flight to be landing cause it might just turn into a ghost town where the only things that will be landing on the airstripe are birds.

      • BUWO
        August 19, 2011

        @yout…….you are such an AS%…the FAA is the aviation authority of the United States, not of Dominica. All you like to make all you self sound smart when all you stupid as AS&&

      • 4REAL
        August 20, 2011

        …… & very well said !!!

    • iwannabeapilot
      August 19, 2011

      lol. It will not; But it can.

      They chose not to use the 737, I’m pretty sure for the the inefficiency pertaining to the cost per seat per mile.

      Bear in mind, with a half empty plane and roughly 450 nautical miles of flight plan, a turboprop would be cheaper to operate.

    • Wayne Wonder
      August 19, 2011

      you guys are so silly. why does the size of the plane matter? you also say things when in suit you all agenda and when it is other wise your talk change. I thought the goverment brought down a Boeing 737 filled with people to vote in the 2009 elections straight from Miami into Melville Hall

      • yout
        August 19, 2011

        that flight was not sanctioned by the FAA….somehow we could say it was illegally operated!!

      • August 19, 2011

        IDIOT1 IT WAS A MODIFIED CHARTERED 737…MODIFIED

  11. iwannabeapilot
    August 19, 2011

    ATR-42 400 8-O

    • under the radar
      August 19, 2011

      lol… ATR-42 400… pretty… and i expected an embraer jet. sad. where is liat on those Q400 Dash-8 so far? i’m bored here.

      • iwannabeapilot
        August 19, 2011

        hmm another aviation enthusiast.

        Well personally the Dash 8 Q311 is my favorite turbo prop. Well all the Dash 8s up until the Q400 for that matter. The sound of the PW123A is what is most appeasing to me.

        I dislike the q400, nah I HATE IT -.-.

        I’d rather go ATR 72-212A than a Q400 anyday. I would cry if liat got them.

      • Kanpeche
        August 19, 2011

        …and…and…and what does that have to do with the price of rice in China. Although this board is for a varied amount of opinion, and all are welcome to post what ever is cooking their noodles, you guys are killing me here. Breathe a little boys and girls…breathe a little. We don’t even have a bicycle, and here we are complaining when some offers us a car…don’t forget to breathe. nous pas ni lapeau fess nous, mai nous la ka faire comme nous ni tout baguy.

    • under the radar
      August 19, 2011

      why hate the Q400? i dont understand the negativity attached to them. i have researched them and i like them alot. you just cant smash them onto the runway like the 300s, their fuselage is a bit long for that kind of abuse. other than that, i dont see a problem. all their mishaps were human error and poor maintenance anyway.

      • Pat
        August 19, 2011

        “all their mishaps were human error and poor maintenance”

        That accounts for 99% of all aviation accidents.

      • iwannabeapilot
        August 20, 2011

        because, Instead of developing an entirely new aircraft bombardier Created a POS upgrade.

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