Air access has been outlined as an underlying factor affecting visitors to Dominica, however a partnership between two regional air carriers is set to bring some relief in that area.
As a matter of fact officials say an announced partnership between Winair and Air Antilles Express will make available some 15,000 seats per year for Dominica from the French islands and St Maarten.
“As you know our French neighbors are extremely important in our tourism business given the fact that a number of our visitors come from the French West Indies and it is used as a gateway to Europe,” said CEO of the Dominica Air and Sea Port Authority (DASPA) Benoit Badouille at a press conference on Wednesday.
He noted that the partnership will assist Dominica as it moves towards the target of attracting 90,000 visitors per year by 2015.
Also addressing the conference, Chief Executive Officer of WinAir, Michael Cleaver, described the move as a way of exploring new ways in regional air transport, from St Maarten to France and Pointe-a-Pitre.
“Our alliance with Air Antilles in the French islands in the south and Winair in the north is truly a unique and a very important to both companies,” he said.
He said the first step is to serve Dominica from their hub in St. Maarteen and efforts will made to coordinate with Air Antilles to improve the service.
“I think the first step is education to the travelling public, to get awareness we’ve made the important first steps,” he noted. “We are very pleased with that. We do have work to do but we feel confident that with our partners we can get the work done.”
Meantime CEO of Air Antilles, Serge Tsygalnitzky, said both companies had been working together for nine months, developing new routes.
“It appears to be a success,” he stated. “It’s quite a new adventure. You had only one airline that was going from the deep south to up north, and the problem is that all the airlines are only limited to their own markets.”
Tsygalnitzky mentioned further that Dominica is important to both airlines.
“We think there are routes that we can open together and open new markets to this island,” he said.
Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association representative, Herve Nizzard, said in light of the increased number of hotels emerging all around the island, the partnership is good news.
Air Antilles is based in Gaudeloupe while Winair in St. Maarten and the new service will provide three flights into Dominica.
I don’t know where some of you live( Francisco Telemaque in particular) or what you do for a living but I’ll take a guess and say based on the comments about the airport situation, you live in a cave somewhere on some other planet. I stay in my yard in NYC and see the same little pieces of trash you talk about flying out of JFK and LaGuardia airport every day and I’m pretty sure if you had to do some regional travel in the NY area or say Toronto you would have to take a flight say on Porter Air, dash 8’s, or continental regional or Delta and you would not be as critical as you are.
People like you are the one’s who paint a bad image of D/ca. You have no idea what goes into running an airport but you choose to be so critical of Dominica.
You tend to think that planes are just flying in the sky aimlessly and if there is an airport they will come. That, my friend, is a myth.
Which airline is going to send a 757 or for that matter any jet aircraft to Dominica to drop 10 people.
You would be basically taking about chatters at Carnival, Creole and maybe Christmas. Can you maintain and airport on that.
No one denies the fact that a jet airport would be good for D/ca if we get it free.
The question is how and who is going to pay for it, and maintain it.
Oh, by the way any flight to a foreign country is and international flight.
congratulations on the partnership! The argument that we need an international airpor, let take internatioinal and say instead that we need a 8000 ft runway. Maybe the concern that we will not be able to maintain it will silence the opponant. Did Grenada think in the box, Didn’t Gonzzales came out of the box? need I say more
NO LIAT, NO SEABORNE, NO WINAIR. NONE ARE IN MY BEST INTEREST where travelling is concerned.
we need to eat from our own plate it is time we have our own international airport and stop eating the crumbs from other peoples table, we don’t just want to attract 90 000 VISITORS we want millions,
I agree. If Monaco can build a hotel, why do Monaco not assist in building the International Airport to ACCOMMODATE the GUESTS to replenish the Hotel? A Hotel WITHOUT ACCESS to and from other Countries is USELESS. China is, hopefully NOT, working toward taking over our Island should also assist in building the International Airport, which will have ACCOMMODATE more Chinese visitors. There are a number of Countries with INTEREST on our Island; however, NONE, so far, are talking about assisting in building that International Airport that we DESPERATELY NEED in order to bring forth REVENUE. They want us to remain STAGNANT and most of all ‘DEPENDABLE’.
We are an independent nation with NO INDEPENDENCE.
If an aircraft takes off in Point a Pitre and lands in Dominica then the passengers must go through customs and immigration checks. If it took off from Canefield, granted it makes no stop in Guadeloupe or some other island before arriving at Melville Hall, customs and immigration checks would be redundant. For an airport to be “international” all that is required is CUSTOMS and IMMIGRATION. The fact remains that ALL flights into Melville Hall are ‘inter-national’ flights where international refers to ‘between two countires.’ Probably we should think of large jetport instead of international jetport as West Indians probably have their passports stamped by immigration more than anybody else.
Access to DA from the french islands would not be a problem if the Express des iles servive was a bit more organized and more reliable.
And when arriving at destination, passengers are forced to remain onboard, pressed against each other like animals, in the heat, for a long while, untill bagages and cargo are unloaded.
Not to mention the lack of training and the behavior of the security agents in Roseau
But wait where is the plane which was schedule to fly from Fort Lauderdale non stop to Dominica since January
It never took off. That was Blair Webb. The most that it would have been was a charter but even that didn’t fly.
I thought of it as well.
May be easier said than done by the promoters !
An Alien took it away.
It must be under the ocean pinging away.
Where have you ever heard of an airline getting up and running within 2 months?
And how many Dominicans are going to flying on a regular basis to sustain an airline? Most of the people who fly into Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, St. Martin and Antigua etc. are tourists.
But as I said previously, we are so gullible, we will believe any rubbish someone offers us, especially when as it relate to direct flights to Dominica.
Garçon dem LIAT Bois stop dem man-dem from moving forward garçon, through dem Man-dem at SLASPA and deir friends in Dominica,,,
Most if not all the major North American based airlines fly into SXM therefore what is required is inter-connections; code sharing/ if the airlines can work that out then that will gives the travelling public originating from North American or for us going up Norththen alternative gates ways instead of the Antigua and PR. A good route from Canada for example is Montreal direct to Guadeloupe or Martinique then take the Ferry across to Dominica but now with Air Antilles it may possible to take a plane; similarly from Canada, US, Europe fly direct to SXM then take Winair to Dominica. Great move we just have to market it properly and keep the fares affordable.
Well Said Dred dats what Marn been trying to say for a time now DA don’t really need an International Hub cause right there 30 miles on either side north and south is International Access points,,,
Little known fact: when dem Guada folks and Martiniquéh come from dem European French Republics on vacation to the Caribbean, so that they avoid paying heavy travel Taxes over in Guada and Martinique is DA dey does say deir destination is yeh, using DA like deir Port of Entry to the Caribbean den dey Stay a couple days By their Boi there where you can get Dem good Lobster jot and den they leave after and go Guada and Martinique to their intended Destinations, like dey juss island hopping,,,
There is still more that can be done.
For example, eversince American Eagle pulled out of Puerto Rico, many Dominicans travelling from the US cannot get a same day flight to Dominica anymore.Its either you spend the night in Miami and if you have the extra money book a hotel room (money that could be used for taxi in Melvillehall) or the plane lands in Puerto Rico at midnight and have to leave next day for Dominica.
For the past 12 years of travelling,I would be in the airport by 7am,reach Puerto Rico by 11,and Dominica by 2pm.(same day)
These days,I have to be in the airport by 7pm, land in Puerto Rico by midnight, and leave Puerto Rico to DA in the afternoon next day.OR, land Miami by 8pm and leave Miami to Puerto Rico next day and Puerto Rico to DA in the afternoon
This frustration and length of time could cause D/cans not to visit frequently.
Well, that’s then point. Now you can use St Martin connection and winair. Same day connection in and out.
You all are doing it the wrong way. Take Jet Blue to Puerto Rico and Liat to DA or take Jetblue to Barbados and then Liat to DA. You get there the same day. You just have to know how to work it. My brother just travelled to DA. Same day arrival from the US. Arrived DA at 6pm.
Dominica is going no where. and will remain behind till the men in charge put the priority of the people first. we are today still talking about air access. what happened to the land U W P bought for the international airport?
IKR……All those idiots have to do it construct an international airport and Dominica good. They want to lengthen runway by two feet and expect things to get better. Nobody wants to fly and have to stop or overnight in another country.
my brother UWP is no more. get over it
Native Son Garçon the issue is not dat!!!
Dem Man-dem whom think dey in charge, and marn not talking about Skerro dem yeh or Even Obama, Marn talking about Man-dem above mista dem heads, dey doh want d Diaspora to have no access to their roots or dey trying to make access as impossible as possible juss soh dey can Keep themselves in Control,,,
Is D same way they have ban on Agricultural Products from Nature island Dominica but they Importing all kinna GMO crap from China, Thailand and Philippines,,,
Seaborn , and liat are reaping the Caribean people off, the price from Perto roc to dominica is more expensive that the fare from California to P.R.I know so cus I just purchase two tickets.
True That
The tickets from most US states to PR cost waaay less than a ticket from PR to dominica using liat or Seaborne. Seaborne is even worse now!!
Everything in the Caribbean, the West Indies is always more expensive. How cheaper could the fare be?
Dahman
I agre with you , smaller islands in the area have international airports . Now it is hard to get connecting flights from new york to DA as most flights go to miami getting to PR after the connecting flights have departed which means you spend one night and almost a whole day before getting to DA . One politician told Dominicas they do not need an international airport , but he is getting ready to open his own
They make more money if you have to stay overnight. San Juan has taken out most of its waiting seats.
I wonder why LIAT in all those years failed to enter into any sensible strategic partnerships. Pure incompetence by the management or may be no other company wants to get involved with them?
Liat has in the past and it worked against them and to the benefit of the others. So liat has since learned from that.
Dominicans get all upset when you tell them they need an international airport. But seriously, folks, do you really think if I have one week vacation I am going to spend 4 of those days in just travel time? Bahamas looking better and better………..
I will say it loud; I will say it clear, again we can arrange with a thousand such mediocre, five to sixty-seater aircraft bringing a handful of people to the island everyday, that will not make one bit of a difference in the number of visitors to Dominica!
If we are into; or getting into tourism in any significant way, the success and profitability of the industry will depends on an International Airport. As long as we continue our masquerade, dancing, to our music and talking crap, nothing will change where it pertains to air access to the country.
The government is not even making an effort to discus the building of an International Airport, they are contented with the pink, and yellow Elephant, which they wasted hundreds of millions of dollars on at Melville Hall; and shall I say to honor the wishes of Ralph Gonzales.
The author speaks of fact!
The fact is International Flights do not originate in St. Martin in a sense. As far as we know there are many international flights destine to St. Martin. International Tourist does not have the time to fly to St. Martine, and then get on some bit of trash, which spends more time in the air flying to Dominica, than it took to fly from the continental United States, and Canada, Europe, on a commercial Jet Aircraft to St. Martine.
That is our dilemma, we need an International Airport, without it, we will never have a successful tourist industry in the country, that is the fact of the matter!
The powers that be have blinded themselves to this fact for so long that they are ashamed to get involve in the construction of an International Airport, knowing that on the advised of a man who has no interest in Dominica, which caused them to shut down the International Airport which was already commenced in our country.
If I made a mistake, when I prove I blundered, I would not have a problem saying I am sorry, and do what it takes to repair the damage I caused. In this case the Labor Party must now say to their supporters: we made an error when we criticize the UWP, and shut down the International Airport they were building, and since we come to realize that we should not have closed such an essential project, we are now compelled to build one.
End of conversation!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
The bit of trash is a brand new ATR 500 flying the Sxm/DOM route 55 minutes.
It is still a piece of trash to me: You people will forever be second class, there is nothing anyone can say or do that will make some you come to the realization that you are toxic, and have no ambition to make progress in this life. Any little crap is good enough for some of you, if God were to visit you in person and say to you without an International Airport in Dominica, the country shall remain stagnant, poor and backward; many of you would say to him ‘Man you doh know what you talking about’.
The Chines, so called friends of this Labor Party government told them emphatically; ” the only way Dominica will beginning to make some progress, is when the powers that be build an International Airport.” This was told to the present government almost fifteen years ago!
I challenge any member of this labor party government to deny such advise was never given by the a representative of the Chines government to this government.
They thought is was a secret until some news anchor at DBS Radio, the government owned and operated Radio Station, broadcast it in the news. It came in the news on DBS, by the time we heard it, someone; a politician, in this government, call DBS Radio, and ask the news caster the one who read it in the news “who are you working for, the government or the opposition?”
The news about that was never broadcast a second time, because they must have threatened the individuals job! And that’s how ignorant, and vindictive our people are; they rather the country sink rather than do what is right, and necessary in order to get the country on a track to prosperity. At this time I feel no sympathy for any one suffering in Dominica, especially those in red, who cannot see further than their nose, and people like you who talks trash.
Even if the aircraft in question takes five minuets hell, or St. Martin to Dominica, it does not matter, since the focus should be on “International Flights, into and out of Dominica, that should be the priority, and not the crap you all are talking about just because it is election time; after election what then?
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Why does it seem to escape so many that Dominica has no world class beaches which means few opportunities for the hotels, bars and restaurants that follow?
Having an international airport will not fix this. There’s not enough eco tourists to make up for it.
Francisco we are not into MASS TOURISM we are ECO TOURISM.
This type of tourism carries less in volume of visitors but the returns are higher because it involves COMMUNITY TOURISM……
This is the best way we should continue to go!!!!!! Have you ever seen the film ‘Jamaica for Sale’?? Check it out!!!
Joe, what does ecology Tourism, and mass tourism have to do with the development of our infrastructure? If Ecology Tourism was a big deal, Mexico where it all started, would be the wealthiest nation on earth, however, Mexico remains one of the poorest nation on earth to date, and the poorest of the there North American Nations. Ecology Tourism is the brain child of an Mexican, that is where it was born, the idea is all but dead in Mexico however.
Note: there are only three countries, (nations) in North America: Canada, America, and Mexico, and since more than seventy percent of the worlds traveling tourist originates in Canada, and America, if all they cared about was eco tourism, Mexico could not accommodate the vast amount of people who would travel to that country, remember we drive from America, to Canada, Mexico, and we can reverse the directions, however what we do not find is people driving in opposite direction hunting down ecology only spots to spend their vacation; It would take me about three ours from my home in Los Angeles to get to Encenada Mexico, where I could have a beach for me, and I alone, and mind you I could also watch Whales year round; so I hope you get my drift.
Take Hollywood, as an example; the sea is about five miles from Hollywood, nevertheless, you find more Canadian, and Europeans on Sunset Blvd; or Avenue of the stars, walking up and down than what you find on Santa Monica Beach!
Bora Bora, with some of the worlds most beautiful beaches went all out for Ecology Tourism, which has failed miserable in that country; so you see it is not a big deal, younger people travel more than old people, not everybody will go to Dominica to do bird watching; and do not mention Whale watching, and dive either, because from Mexico to Alaska in North America, one can get the same thing that all of Dominica have to offer and more okay!
The bottom line is that we have to develop in a way that we can attract people to the country, beaches are not the only pull, that is not the only criteria; if that was the case, Barbados would attract more tourist than any place in the Caribbean, we could say the same about Antigua, Grenada, St. Kitts, Anguilla, Trinidad & Tobago, and every other island in the Caribbean, you see every island in the Caribbean is unique in itself; Dominica counted. The problem with us is that we believe because we do not have beaches we can’t compete, that is a myth; our stupid mentally working against us, and the politicians tune in to this ignorance, use that as an excuse not to do anything constructive to develop the place.
I have been to place in the world as an tourist where their are no beaches, nevertheless I arrived there by commercial Jet aircraft. And let me say people travel to Europe, Canada, and America, as tourist, they spend their vacation in these places not because of beaches, something else is the pull, as a matter of fact the nations I mentioned advertise their country as an tourist destinations!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
They cant even maintain a C.T scanner at PMH how on earth are they going to maintain an international airpoint let alone find the funds to build it. Tourist are not flocking to dominica airlines wont waste the money the route is not profitable .
All of them support this 1year representation. Politics, politics, politics. New ideas and work comes every 4th year of a govenment setting. Shame! Serve and give us job during the five years NOT IN THE 4TH YEAR
What happen to CTR Airlines that was supposed to begin operations in January 2014, direct flights from Florida to Dominica? So said Govt., CTR website et al?
Is that Airline still in negotiations with DASPA and Govt.? what’s the latest, nuh?
You mean CIT of course. Well that airline came and went but never took off. You will have to ask Mr. Skerrit about that.
Doesn’t exist.
Any improvement in air access is welcome. However, looking at Air Antilles schedule I note that gtheir route to St. Maarten is not direct by via Guadeloupe. That is not an improvement on the BVI service. Also they list a service from Dominica to Martinique, at the xsame price as their service from between Guadeloupe and Maritnique. Euro 175) Upon closer examination it transpires that that service also goes via Guadeloupe with a change of aircraft. Still frustrating but far better than the ludicrous LIAT routing from Dominica to Martinique via Barbados and St. Lucia. I still can not apprehend the fact that in 2014 there is no direct scheduled air service betsween Dominica and Martinique or St. Lucia. Are all these talks about integration and free movement of people just that, …talks?
There simply isn’t the volume of passengers wanting to fly from dominica to Martinique or st Lucia direct and therefore was a financial burden liat was happy to get rid of
The winair flight dominica to st maarten is direct.
There is no flight, for the moment, Martinique to Dominica. However, as you correctly mention, air antilles made a special promotion for martinique to dominica. Via pointe a pitre, but at the same price !
Winair quote I got for return St. Maarten Dominica yesterday U.S.$.379. and then I still have to stand in line outside Melville Hall to pay my departure tax for govt. to an invisible operator on top That’s crazy man. We’ll never grow traffic at those prices and those outdated practices.
While you are at it, the flights to Canada usually leave Antigua about 3:30 PM. Yet, passengers traveling from MH Airport are taken to Antigua and dumped there from about 8:15 AM – a wait of more than 7 hours, not counting delays. Can these excessively long wait times be addressed?
I am curious. Are you the Imckoy whom I know who resides in Edmonton? An old friend? If you are the one, I still have your address and phone number in my address book. “C” always asks about you. By this you will know who I am.
Or is this another Imckoy? For confidential purpose, no name please.
Look what I just found: Taxes and fees included
No of Adults: 1
San Juan Intl to Dominica Intl (BB4554)
Departure: 22 Oct 11:35
Arrival Time: 22 Oct 13:25
Fare: $466.00
Dominica Intl to San Juan Intl (BB4577)
Departure: 06 Nov 13:55
Arrival Time: 06 Nov 15:40
Fare: $310.29
Flights Total: $776.29
Amount outstanding: $776.29
OUTRAGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Good things comes to those who wait.
good news! The more access the better. Wish we had more connections/options from North America. Has anyone seen the ridiculous fares from Seaborne. They make Liat look good now just in terms of prices from Puerto Rico!
This new Winair connection in St Maarten gives one day access to Dominica , and back, from :
American Airlines
Ø New York – Miami
US Airways
Ø Charlotte – Philadelphia
Delta
Ø New York – Atlanta
United Airlines
Ø Newark – Dulles – Chicago
Jet Blue
Ø New York – Boston
Insel Air
Ø Curacao – Haiti – Various destinations from Curacao Hub.
Air France
Ø Paris CDG and whole of Europe.
KLM
Ø Amsterdam and whole of Europe.
Air Caraibes
Ø Orly
Copa
Ø Panama and Latin America
Hope it helps.
At what cost?
Refreshing news, we need an uplift.
Good vision , Mr. Badouille , and DASPA . Keep up the good work .
I agree we need better acces to the nature Island but where was that vision all along, election fever is in the air and will the DLP Govt be using this as a way to bring folks from the diaspora into D’ica to vote for a party that said we didnt need an international airport earlier I cant help but wonder if this is really for the benifit of the visitos who would like to come to our shores to enjoy the sights and scenery of Dominica.
We will still vote who we want. UWP or DLP. It is our choice.
The government need to focus to build an international airport, Dominica will not develop without an international airport.
Small Steps plz, take the time to applaud an idea that will lead to something bigger.
First, they need to learn HOW to focus
you willing to pay more taxes?
We’ll if u have the money to maintain it daily, help the gov build it
Do you know the BVI does not have an International Airport? they seem not to being doing so badly. They have managed to so with no assistance from the British.
Please be informed that the BVI recently spent some $50 million on improving the airport on beef island. Yes at present there is no jet service but the preparations have been made for any future jet survice. they have increased the runway by about 3700 feet. The airport has all the amenities of an international airport. It is now an international airport. Don’t you wish we were at that stage? WE spend 95% of our time bring down each other and our country and 5 % of our time thinking. We procrastinate too much and waste too much time talking.
Lettsome International Airport should read Terrance B. Lettsome International.Airport.
The BVI do not have an International Airport, but the TOURISM INDUSTRY there is MORE PROFITABLE. The airport is also located on its own Island, Beef Island. I traveled to the BVI from Puerto Rico and I will never fly into the BVI again, TOO SCARY. I will fly into St. Thomas and take the ferry.
The BVI has “TERRANCE B. LETTSOME INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT” Get you facts right or straight
I am not bringing anyone down, but the BVI airport is only 4, 642ft and Dominica is 5,761ft. And no the runway has not been increased over there. The BVI is doing well despite not having a major airport that is my point. Lapo Layza, I said the BVI doing well and that is the truth and they are doing well despite it all. We have to look at Dominca of economics of scale as we may not have the pull for mass tourism and do we want mass tourism and killing other industries. Tourism can be the most volatile of industry. Always depending on another economy good fortunes.
Oh boy, here we go again.
When you said “…the new service will provide three flights into Dominica.”, did you mean 3 daily flights?