Noting that it has received some ‘questionable press’ lately, a new airline which promises direct flights from Florida to Dominica, is attempting to clear the air.
In response to questions from Dominica News Online, Marketing director of CIT Airways, Jeffrey Wade, said that the concept of the new airline began taking shape in October 2013 when Dominican national, Blair Webb, reached out to him (Wade) and Arne (Tommy) Rotne, who, he said, are both hospitality development entrepreneurs, to discuss a possible venture of non-stop flights to Dominica from Florida.
“When we were first made aware of this exciting concept from Mr. Webb in late October of the need for direct flight service to and from the U.S. and Dominica, we quickly stepped up to the plate and assembled an experienced team that could make a quality, long term air travel service come to life,” Wade said. “It wasn’t going to be an easy task let alone creating it in such a short period of time. We are focusing on operating as efficiently as possible while providing our passengers a quality and affordable direct flight experience.”
He said CIT Airways was registered on November 8, 2013 and is really a group of companies in a ‘strategic alliance.’
“We are proud to announce our strategic alliances which will include the extensive knowledge and experience of South Florida Air Charter of Miami(www.SouthFloridaAirCharter.com) to handle all ground flight operations. AeromodalSM of Texas (www.aeromodal.com) to handle all in-flight operations and training. CIT Airways™ (www.CITAirways.com) of Florida to handle brand management, sales and marketing, passenger booking and satisfaction, domestic and foreign relations and airline catering services,” Wade explained. “In order to pull this off, we will be re-organizing the company and securing a new and qualified corporate attorney to fulfill the requirements and demands of CIT Airways.”
Wade noted that the new airline has hit “a very sensitive topic” in Dominica and there has been ‘an overwhelming rate’ of comments, emails and Facebook posts.
“At one time, the www.CITAirways.com website, thought to be just a concept website for presentations, suddenly was getting over 9,000 hits a day. We certainly didn’t expect this to happen so quickly,” he stated. “we are in development of our official website which will allow our passengers to obtain their flight information and purchase their seat through a self-serve system.”
Wade pointed out the aircraft fleet that the CIT Airways organization has chosen, “consist of a proposed Boeing 737-300 that they are looking to use during the launch of the company and then in 2014 CIT Airways is looking to introduce the Embraer ERJ- 135LR (inter-island connections) and the Embraer ERJ-170-100LR and the Embraer ERJ-190LR – a 37 passenger, 76 passenger and 100 passenger respectfully.”
“For optimum comfort and safety, the proposed Boeing 737-300 will carry around 90 passengers, (12 in business class and 78 standard seating) and will also allow for additional luggage,” he said.
For safety purposes and to accommodate passengers on the three-hour and twenty minutes flight to Dominica, CIT’s Ground Flight Alliance, Amauri De Barros, President of South Florida Air Charter said “the aircraft is scheduled to go through a thorough maintenance and safety “C” Check. The runway analysis for the Melville Hall Airport is being conducted. Our pilots are required to go through rigorous training in order to maneuver the B737-300 effectively and safely in and out of Melville Hall Airport. The safety of the passengers and crew is most important to our entire organization.”
Meanwhile, Partner and Sales Development Director of CIT, Arne (Tommy) Rotne, said the airline will be offering an annual CIT Flyer™ Membership program that will allow passengers for a limited time only to take advantage of extra savings when flying with CIT Airways™.
“Passengers will be able to save 5 percent on round trip booking fees and 5 percent off CIT freight and cargo services,” Rotne said. “We plan to have a prelaunch sale of CIT Flyer™ Memberships so our future passengers will be able to save on their seats and throughout their flights throughout the year.”
Other benefits of being a CIT Flyer™ Member is priority boarding, free upgrades (when available – first come, first serve), One free cocktail per flight, free audio headset for movies on flight. Seat sales and price details for our flights will become available upon the completion of the official website portal which passengers will also be able to review group and specialty rates and book online, according to Rotne.
Wade said Rotne “will be working closely with hoteliers, hospitality and transportation businesses to further develop strategic alliances both domestic and foreign to offer added services and benefits for our valued future passengers. Special offers through these alliances will be available through our CIT Flyer™ magazine and CIT Flyer™ newsletters.”
Wade further stated that “while all the details are being worked out behind the scenes, the CIT Airways organization will be working closely with the head of the Dominica Airport and Sea Port Authority (DASPA), Benoit Bardouille, to assure all of the requirements of the airport and the government of Dominica are fulfilled.”
Bardouille has confirmed that the airline is in discussion with the government pointing out that due protocol has be to be followed to allow it access to Dominica. “One has to look at the details,” he stated. “One has to examine all the facts and due protocol, due process has to be followed and so every request that comes to us has to be looked at.”
On its website CIT Airways say it will commence flights into Dominica by January 2014.
is it really true man ah coming every holiday.
so not once in their news release did they ever indicate the FAA licensing. garcon we not jackassess
Lets just wait and see.
mama boy that is speedy business, idea come about in October, register November and all you ready to fly in January- that faster than opening a kabaway
Whoa! Dominicans wake up. Please do further research, it takes years in the making for an airline to start up. License through all the appropriate chains has to be granted. ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) and FAA has to approve licenses and certifications, maintained records for the aircraft has to be looked at and must be in compliance, pilots has to be certified to fly the aircraft, this is all a bunch of non sense that is being feed to the people. You cannot have a chapter airline go into service within two months. Now, Now people it cost millions of dollars for and airplane and to run an international company. Look at see borne their flights are almost empty from PR to DA. What’s makes CIT think this is a good business venture. what dominica needs is an INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT so they can grow all the money spending should be invested in an international airport. Soon dominica will become like Haiti, Ross university will continue to pay zero taxes to the government because the student has to spend more to commute and domain as will no longer work at Ross. DOMINICA WAKE UP.
Dominica find this article “Ferry deal in tangled web ”
DateOctober 23, 2005
by Neville Clarke.
Those who read without blinders will be objective or even develop a cautious approach. Maybe some people will have a greater appreciation for safety over big talk, gwan mourvemant, smoke screen and showmanship
Read this quote from CIT “CAREFULLY” “Wade pointed out the aircraft fleet that the CIT Airways organization has chosen, “consist of a proposed Boeing 737-300 that they are looking to use during the launch of the company and then in 2014 CIT Airways is looking to introduce the Embraer ERJ- 135LR (inter-island connections) and the Embraer ERJ-170-100LR and the Embraer ERJ-190LR – a 37 passenger, 76 passenger and 100 passenger respectfully.” Are they only going to have Three Airplanes (3) for this service to Dominica? This is come open ended Talk. Statement !!! To have just Three or Four Airplanes as the Fleet constantly flying FL — Dom won’t allow for adequate service and maintenance of the Air crafts if they are only Three or Four of them.
1. a proposed Boeing 737-300
2. the Embraer ERJ- 135LR
3. and the Embraer ERJ-170-100LR and the Embraer ERJ-
The real Question is exactly how many Airplanes are in the the Fleet of CIT?
Exactly none, yeap, CIT Airways does not own a single aircraft. Go and check with the FAA.
It seems to me optimism should be the order of the day. Let us encourage the players of CIT to commense service. The good Lord is aware of the sufferings of the Dominican people at the hands of Liat.
Dominicans need to be careful with another Blair in the name of a questionable business in Dominica. The PM always seem to be behind the spinning of webbs of business linked with Blair as in Blair Court Properties and the Villas.
In the present case, Blair Webb is spinning something in Miami but Skerrit’s involvement behind the scenes cannot be discounted. This seems like another business to be investigated by the officially defunct IPO. https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/politics/ipo-to-begin-investigations-of-pm-alleged-ownership-of-blair-court-properties/
Respectfully
Roseau Valley
Quoting from the last sentence of the 8th paragraph: “a 37 passenger, 76 passenger and 100 passenger respectfully.”
Dear writer, the word is not “respectfully;” it is (and should be) “respectively.”
My ppl this may sound good but once a con- man always a con- man. Did he mention Blair Web. Remember a few yrs ago he organized spring bling in Soufriere? Everyone was all excited n ppl came from near n far n wat did they get? He was no where to b seen.
Anonymous….
I do not think that the airline company will present its entire business plan to the public. I am just merely commenting. Dont you think that they are just putting ideas out there so that the can learn from the public?
Can you imagine calling an airline and someone answer the phone ” Hi this is Blaire Larry Love Webb”
The company hasn’t done anything yet but they are already restructuring. Sound like an operation that will realize during midflight that the tires of the aircraft are not inflated.
this have all the signs of a new labar party airline
mr. Wade’s revelations only deepen the mystery. South Florida Air Charter of Miami is only two years old and appears to be a husband & wife outfit, operating out of their home at 13953 SW 66 Street in Miami. Furthermore I can not find any aircraft listed in this company’s fleet, that is if they do operate their own aircraft. It would be helpful if mr.Wade could give us the registration number of the 737-300 they plan to use so we can ascertain for ourselves this plane really exists and that it is owned by a bona fide company.
based on what i have read and taken from the comments,no one seems to mention,and that is the actual fuel cost for this none stop flight into dominica,the american eagle gave this as a reason for canceling flights down islands,so how does this airline capable of doing it,this my only question,on the other hand people are concerned of terminal accomodations,airport runway length,plane size and so though,here is the thing,everyone is just international airport crazed,some make mention to mountain in the back of the airport,but the weekly none commercial flights of cargo planes do not have a problem,the recently landed olimpic plane did not have a problem,the airport runway in st thomas is not longer than that of melveile hall,the airport runway in anguila is longer than the antigua airport runway,some will argue is the approach from the sea,fine that’s understandable,but remember, the other planes that landed did not have a over mountain approach landing,so it seem to me,is an experience pilot problem we have here,on the question of terminal,which of course if done,melveile hall will automatically transform into an international airport,and that is elementery,build the airport parking lot across the river,extend the terminal to the river edge,and all that talk about international airpot will be resolve,a lot people do not seem to realise, is money that making jumby dance,in our little economy we have to find ways to make do with what we alreadsy have,a business starts from scratch and then grows,we can develop mellveile hall,we already got a start,build on it,simple as that,mabe with this airline,someone where its comming from,might seek to invest in the further development of mellveile hall,who knows.
How? How else would Skerrit fly in the people that he needs to vote for his party. Too many people here are too lazy or illiterate or apathetic to do anything rather than flap their jaws or sit down by the roadside. Put your money and voting action where your mouth is rather than just complain. You are suppose to be the government.
Get registered and vote.
There are no direct flights from the U.S. r/t coming to DA on a regular basis, only charters for a specific reason.
You are dreaming.
Please do ur research on the minimum length of an international airport runway. You will discover it is longer than that of Melvilhall’s. Oh,st Thomas may not have an international airport, however its runway is longer than Melvilhall’s.
Well said. We must continue to think positive. I do not think that there is any business man that did not encounter problems at the start of a business.
My sentiments exactly. You are right, all that TALK about LOCATION, Londonderry is perfect for EXTENSION, by far. The terminal would have to be extended. Planes DO NOT have to LAND via the mountains. Amerijet lands full of CARGO with NO PROBLEMS. We can do it from where we are, MELVILLE HALL AIRPORT. I wish the people would STOP the BICKERING and START PLANNING.
I remain optimistic!At least a few jobs will be created in Dominica. I remain hopeful that things
will be finalized
blessings cit looking forward to flying with you
Anyone who does not understand that this stunt is all about Voters to an election is allowing Skeritt to play in their brain again!
If there was a need for this it was when American ailine pulled out but there was no fuss now election is drawing near we hearing all the arguments.Even when LIAT seemed to be failing Our Dear PM put 8 million into it and told us we would be nowhere without LIAT,Now What is the rush for this new entity?Answer is =ELECTION
Right you are.
u say it all thank u
Exactly my thoughts. And this is being done in such a rush. Why the rush? Why not take time to put things in place properly? Do not forget these things have a lot of red tape. As we say in Dominica “too much going up and down, here and there”
Then if it is a publicity stunt for voting reasons, then everyone will reap the benefits. Look on the bright side, there will be jobs for the ones who are willing to work. Stop holding back the country in the name of POLITICS. I would prefer having a straight flight in the name of voting instead of having to overnight or spend hours in another airport before getting to DA. After all voting is once every so many years but the airline will be there until the next voting time comes around.
I agree with you in part. It is true, CIT should be available from the time of its conception. I am glad though, it will be flying from Fort Lauderdale non-stop to Dominica. If the reason for this proposition is to fly people to VOTE this is NOT GOOD. We are struggling for connections to and from the US/Dominica, as it is. Let us hope this venture will be a continuous one, or most Dominicans will only travel at Election time.
CIT needs a good communication/marketing manager. All this reactionary information to the initial bad publicity ought to have been better managed up front. Instead of being on the defensive now and bringing an appearance of transparency to secrecy, the company is forced to say more than it actually needs to say. This is a recipe for disaster on top of the fact that there still seems to be holes in the info…big ones too.
The timing, nature, type and mode of operation of this company leaves a lot to be desired and raises more questions than answers.
Respectfully,
Roseau Valley
When will you guys really give DA a chance without you all linking your poison political bias to things that may be good for it?
Though some smart and well thought answers were given, they still left us with more questions than answers. Example, not one thing was said about licensing. Do they have license to undertake this venture or not? With us in Dominica anything is anything but that is not the same with Americans and their citizens. Take for example the 22 year old American student that got killed by the propeller of the boat. Their key issue in this incident is the under license of the local boat operation. Yes it sounds good but no American firm including FAA will risk putting their citizens in the air unless they are certain that all is well. Let’s wait and see people.
Stick with your name.
a statement to fools
I am happy that CIT officials have begun to speak in a little more detail about this new venture, but I still have questions. We have taken for a ride by so many for so long that I am naturally skeptical about these pies in the skies.
A quick search of FL records tells me that South Florida Air Charter is registered as just that, an air charter company, with no commercial flight experience. Secondly, the number on it’s website as its own is a MetroPCS cellphone number, which begs the question – what kind of company has a MetroPCS number as its corporate contact number? The company is also located at the Kendal/Tamiami airport, not FLL, MIA or PBI.
Aeromodal is a Texas freight forwarding, cargo shipping and customs brokerage company that does not operate any aircraft. It is apparently Brazilian-owned. A query of the company’s US-DOT registration number says that it is “authorized for property” transport only. As of Oct 25, 2013, the company US-DOT records indicate that it owns only 1 straight truck, nothing else. It also is registered as an Indirect Air Carrier, which is defined as “An Indirect Air Carrier (IAC) refers to any person or entity within the United States not in possession of an FAA air carrier operating certificate, that ships cargo belonging to any other person or entity. An IAC undertakes to engage indirectly in air transportation of property and uses for all or any part of such transportation the services of a passenger air carrier”. In other words, it is essentially a Texas version of EZ Barrel, or Element Agencies, or any of those types of companies that pick up your cargo to ship on your behalf, whether is over land, on a boat or in the air, so one has to wonder, exactly how that company will be able to “handle all in-flight operations and training” as Mr Wade professes – these are two entirely different business models.
One has to wonder how these seemingly different companies are going to pull this off – i’m keeping my eyes open.
Very good research on your part but I still do not believe that The US will allow flight from the Fort Lauderdale International Airport to a foreign country without them being licensed. Also, there are lots of large corporations that uses METROPCS as their service carrier because of their flexibility of their service contracts. Lets continue to be positive about this. We all can continue to do our research prior to flying on this airline. Lets just hope for the best.
MetroPCS is a cellphone carrier, it does not offer landline service, which is what established businesses have as their primary contact numbers. If a company lists a cellphone as its primary business number, that immediately tells me that this company is mobile, in that it is not committed to a specific location for an extended period of time. The company’s address comes up as being located at the Kendall/Tamiami airport, but that does not necessarily mean that it has offices there – it could very well mean that it’s charter service operates from there. Most likely the company subcontracts an actual charter company based at Kendall/Tamiami that owns or leases its own aircraft.
This is all a hoax. This is a private charter that is being hired by the Dominican govt. to transport diaspora to vote Labor.
Warma, Dominicans are so desparate for an international airport, they will believe any and everything anyone tells them, no matter how farfetch it sounds. We can be so gullible sometimes.
The last time such an aircraft landed in Dominica(that was in 2009)apart from the Dominica/US based voters who were actually flown in to vote a whole lot more of us were taken for a ride.I remembered clearly the excitment that the landings in 2009 created including the fact that the politicians denied that the flights were for the sole purpose of bringing in people to vote during elections but it was a new begining for chartered services into the airport using that type of aircraft. DASPA posted a picture of the aircarft in the departure lounge at Melville Hall to show how proud a moment it was- the photo is still there I believe. They also went on to say that the tourism sector especially the dive sector would get a boost in tourist arrivals – well between 2009 to 2013 that particular charter service never operated not one more flight into DOM, not for carnival ,not for Creole festival not for Christmas, not for Ross University – not that there hasn’t been cries from the festival commission for chartered flights to get people in for the festivals; or by the tourism sector including Ross for more seats; there has always been cries from the hotel sector for added seats to help the dive sector- and to boost hotel occupancy – so between 2009 to 2013 the same charter service from 2009 could not be found to fill that need but all of a sudden we can get interest in this particular outfit to feel the gap within two months of them forming a company. I think we are about to be taken for a jolly good ride again because to many things look to similar – so if it looks like duck, quaks like a duck and smells like a duck then it is a duck; Get ready, fasten your seat belts and seat back and enjoy the ride.
..and honestly, i won’t be surprised if we are taken for a ride again, because that’s the people we have become.Sheeps waiting to be led.We settle for mediocrity.
Very enlightening.
Is the airline licenced? They have not addressed that question.
What silly question is that. How you expect an airline bound from the United States to a foreign country not to be licensed. Please stop this ignorance.
Our emotions should not force us to compromise our safety and that of others in the name of progress.
I have flown in and out of Melville Hall airport all my life. Even with the current “So-called upgrades,” it is incapable of processing 200 passengers simultaneously.
That is a “Fact” and not an opinion.
Be that as it may, such a venture if successful will definitely bring about change and improvements.
Fortunately for us, the designers and the Government of Dominica will see it fit to design a proper airport and terminal building next time around.
I assume the ERJ-190 and ERJ-135 would be utilisd in a commuter capacity if they plan to use Dominica as a hub from the mainland ,to further facilitate passengers brought in that have other regional destinations , now that is a brilliant idea
Exciting yes.. I will be more at ease once they have finish conducting landings and takeoff from the airports. Practice runs will put the negative comments to rest
To clear the air a particular aircraft will land on a prescribe runway of a certain length based on more than one factor , landing weight being one of the major factors , so to compare a seemingly empty airplane and a fully loaded aircraft is irrational comparisons , but a scheduled airline has to calculated projected landing weight on full useful load before determing operaton into a particular airport based on runway length, n a day to day basis these ca alter based on weather , number of pax , fuel burn etc . A 737-300 can land at (DOM)/melville hall but that has to be based on the landng weight , heavier needs more runway
Thank you for incorporating real world aircraft science and engineering into this discussion. Some on this site believe that you can just pick up a Boeing 737-300 aircraft, and land it at Melville Hall just like that.
What about aborting take-off if there is some mechanical issues with the aircraft? This is another major factor that is also incorporated into whether or not an aircraft will be given the green-light to fly into and out of Melville Hall with passengers.
One thing I do not like about Dominicans, we all ask for changes on the land, upgrade systems and now that they are trying to make something work to produce income, to make a change, everyone is being pessimistic. We all should for once in our lives, accept changes and hope for the best. Do you think that the people who are organizing this mission would just place peoples life in danger just to have an airline with direct flights to Dominica. People please try to embrace changes. Man is not God, there will be errors in everything we do but we must try to say thank God some changes are about to happen instead of always trying to find something negative to say. Lets give it a try and hope for the best.
I know that we all have our differences in opinions but I am tired of always reading negative connotations when changes are about to happen. Whether it might be politics or any other matter. Lets hope for the best and STOP BE SO PESSIMISTIC whether you live on the island or abroad.
@ MJ…..
People or corporations do not start businesses and “hope for the best”. That is not how it is done. They first have to make a business case and see that they can make a success of the business before they invest their money. Sometime despite their best effort, the business fails. But “hope for the best?” Sorry, that is not how it is done.
Thanks for providing some much needed transparency Mr. Wade but I’m telling you that I’m not going to use that airline as long as you have that Larry Love, Blair Webb character on board.
Well tell people why nuh!!!
Its about time we have alternative air access in the region. As long as you guys can provide quality service, i’m ready to try it out
Hey Dominicans I have some prime property on the moon for sale. How about where Mr Blair is getting the millions to start that company.
Running an airline requires millions. Where is the money coming from?
Anonymous keep in mind that LIAT and Seaborne also use the same airport and terminal building. From your last statement, it appears that only the 90 passengers from CIT will be utilizing the airport and terminal building.
You fail to see passengers from LIAT, Seaborne and BVI airways.
What if there are two 90 passenger airplanes landing 15 minutes apart and one LIAT flight with another 38 passengers 10 minutes later. Where will all these people be processed?
Think bigger.
My guess is the Government of Dominica incorporated your type of logic when they designed the current terminal building at Melville Hall.
Garçon Ross and its peopledem dat sponsoring dat venture whahappn to you nuh!!!
Someone seem to be deleting messages. What, other people’s opinions not as good as yours? Are You Bias?
I hope this happen soon because i am trying to book a flight since in Oct to spend time with my family for xmas and everything is an overnight in San Juan. I just told my wife lets fly to Antigua and have them come up. It is not worth the hassle. I never thought i would miss the eagle that much. I am not bashing the govt but they knew about AA pulling out for over a year they should have come up with a better plan than liat. They have no idea of the frustration trying to fly out of the states to Dominica the land i love. We need to come and visit friends and family please, 1 to 3 hours in SJu or ANU i can deal with but not overnighting everytime. unacceptable. Please don’t make regret building in my homeland.
An airline starting from scratch and getting off the ground in 2 months? Hmmm!!
So they are starting with one aircraft, will it be a daily or weekly service? if weekly, what will they do with the aircraft the rest of the week, park it while they pay the crew to sit and wait?
Me nah hold me breath on dat one.
you have raised very fair and intelligent questions. i am puzzled as to the reason why someone would give you a thumbs down.
I dont know if it symptomatic of the level of intelligence of our people or DNO’s readership, but don’t expect Einsteinesque discussions here.
an airline started from scratch yes, but as you can see, they subcontracted out almost all of the key functions, hence being able to get off the ground sooner. The planes will be operated by a charter company, which already has its licenses, planes and pilots, hence bypassing the need for them to acquire one. (go on their website)
ALl this new company CIT is doing is the administrative and marketing aspect of the business. All the key functions are subcontracted out to other companies which have the clearances, liscences and approvals already in place.
This is what i am getting from this artlicle
All what you said is all well and good, except from what the gentleman said, given the timelines, it does not appear that they have done any work regarding whether this venture and business model will bear any fruit.
I was skeptical about Redjet from the get go. I was totally not surprised when they went out of business.
The airline business is one of the toughest businesses out there. An airline business in the Caribbean is 10 time tougher. An airline business using Dominica as a base is 1000 times tougher.
This will not work. If they do fly, I will give them 12 months to go out of business.
wow interesting all these grand plans without even haven’t crunch the numbers in relation to the runway lengths and the characteristics of the airport viz a viz the aircraft performance – not have cleared with local authortities and the DCA in Antigua with oversight for Dominica – but with everything remaining equal on paper sounds really good.
Mr Wade tells us that the aircraft that CIT has chosen consist of a Boeing 737-300 for the for the launch of the airline and in 2014 they are “looking to introduce the ..ERJ-170-100LR and the …ERJ-190LR (what ever that means).
Then he tells us that he IS NOW conducting an analysis of Melville Hall airport.
I am confused Mr Wade. Can you help me? Shouldn’t you conduct the airport capacity both in Florida and Dominica BEFORE selecting an aircraft? What happens if the aircraft requires a 6000 foot runway but Melville Hall is only 5000? Do you lengthen the airport or do you return the 737-300 aircraft to Boeing?
Please Mr Wade explain that process to me.Because if I am not comfortable with your judgement on such a simple matter how can I trust your judgement in the selection of a pilot?
Please Mr. Wade tell me.And if I cannot trust your judgement how can I feel comfortable flying with you?
i am not questioning your question,but did you annalize the recent landing of the olimpic plane,which landid at the same melvielle hall airport that you are questioning,is there a difference with the size of the planes that they proposeing.
Similarly you could asked the question why Amerijet operates a 727 ALMOST WEEKLY – therefore why not just convert the 727 into a passenger service into Melville Hall or get passenger 727 aircrft to do the service – my fried there must be a reason why commercial airlines such as BWIA now Caribbean Airways,AA and other commercial outfits will not dare even think about it – Olympic falls in the category of non -commercial/ and therefore can do that but they will never be able to do with commercial passengers.
I try not to comment on here but although your questions sound intelligent they really say that you did not understand what a partnership with a charter company would involve. There is no returning a plane to Boeing if the charter company that they are partnering with owns or have access to charter/rent the 767-300.
And St Vincent opens their international airport!
Its a start. Starts do have problems though
It’s refreshing to read the comments of the people of CIT. We as Dominicans are to quick to bash when they do not have all the facts. I hope all the so called bashers will give the people time to set up the airline…. We want direct flights from the states which is what they are trying to do and all we do is hide behind the PC and make these dumb comments..we lament the fact that LIAT is no good yet we are already crying wolf on the new airline…the same thing happened when Seaborne came on board..if we need our island to prosper we need to do better that criticise and bash we we know we cannot do better…on another note we are to quick to politicize every thing..
Don’t be silly! “When we were first made aware of this exciting concept in LATE OCTOBER 2013” don’t you find that a bit too ambitious to be talking about starting operations in January 2014. Tell the gentleman to give us more information on the formation of the company, it real owners and the capital and cash positions of the company. Is it that we are going to see another blaircourt type company with no assets or cash doing business with the cash of an invisible, unknown owner?
When was the last time you went home? Where will you put 200 people and how will you process them in such a small terminal?
The terminal lacks proper rest room facilities for 200 people.
This company needs a good communication/marketing manager. All this reactionary information to the initial bad publicity ought to have been better managed up front. Instead of being on the defensive now and bringing an appearance of transparency to secrecy, the company is forced to say more than it actually needs to say. This is a recipe for disaster on top of the fact that there still seems to be holes in the info…big ones too.
Respectfully,
Roseau Valley
Are you getting soft? The whole idea of this airline is to bring in disqualified persons to vote. What investor, serious investor, jumps into a deal with an individual with a tract record of failure without first doing his/her independent investigations? Nothing about this things sounds genuine and the more they talk the more mistakes they make and it is too late now to just keep silent. Whoever came up with the strategy to come public with this miscalculated the impact of doing so or is it that they really believe that all Dominicans are stupid.
Welcome. Thanks for investing in our beautiful country
sounds promising…
I am so excited, I hope it becomes reality, I am planning to travel home January 2014 from Atlanta, am waiting to booked my flight this airline, I hope I’ll be among first set passenger’s to land Dominica on their first flight to Dominica, I know Dominican will support this Airline. Thank s in advance who trying make this a reality.
I am still wondering what is the official position of the Government of Dominica?
This ‘clearing the air’ article has NOT specified the involvement of Government in the venture which sports a logo with the flag of Dominica.
The people of Dominica want to know.
wow really
I am so excited I hope it becomes reality, I’ll be traveling home from Atlanta January, maybe I”ll be the first set of passenger.I know Dominican will support this Airline. Thank you folks in advance.
are you really this gullible? you think an idea liek this which was started in october without any clearances from FAA, ECCAA, Dominican govt is going to become a reality in January? really? really? you gave this any thought?
Bravo!here I come motherland. From home to home
Thanks for clarifying. We look forward to the exemplary service that CIT will be delivering to the people of the region. But Change Must Come..
Assertive, NOT Agressive!
Let’s just say for argument sake that this airline comes to pass, I have a few concerns:
1. Can the current terminal at Melville Hall handle 100 passengers disembarking from an airline simultaneously with luggage?
2. The mountains approaching Melville Hall from the Eastern end of the runway have not moved, so….
3. What is the state or condition of the Marigot hospital and can it’s Emergency room treat 100 passengers or more simultaneously? (Accidents do happen and let’s hope they do not in this case).
4. What is the condition of the road from Melville Hall Airport to the Marigot Hospital? Is there a dedicated lane for emergency vehicles? (And that’s a serious question).
5. Are there hotels/guest houses within a few miles (10-15 miles) of the airport capable of handling at least 100 stranded passengers due to “Bad Weather conditions or flight cancellations?” (Traveling back to Fort Young Hotel in Roseau is complete and utter nonsense. That trip is too darn long).
6. As presently configured, can the terminal seat 150 passengers waiting to depart from “Melville Hall Airport simultaneously?”
7. Are there enough “Restrooms” to handle increased passenger capacity?
8. Are there restaurants capable of handling at least 150 starving people simultaneously? (Rice and peas only or fried chicken wings will not cut it).
If these questions have not been answered, the new venture will not be successful. Then again if it is, maybe this is just what we need to spur action in the areas that I just mentioned. Fortunately for us in Dominica, our planning and thinking is still very backward and not in keeping with the times. The government can continue to fool the people as they wish.
Notice I deliberately omitted any questions about FAA (Approval and Regulations for such a venture). But good luck nonetheless.
you know the plane that flew carrying the world cup trophy used the mountain side to fly into melville hall what mountains you talking about…. it not no problem
lolllllll, who u fooling? Not me.
Very Strong points, and the answer will be NO!! in no way shape of form can the current airport be able to accommodate 100-150 people. remembering that it is not the only airline and liat, seaborne, BVI will also have passengers. Where will the people go? we need a larger airport.. or make an upstairs to the current airport to be terminal only, then use the current terminal as the luggage area. because that small carousel and baggage claim not cutting it
@nice guy during carnival and other celebrations,the airport does accomodate over two hundred passengers,i my self have gone through at such a time,stop backing up people who like to write things that they do no what they are writeing about,some people just like to act like they are so inteligent,is not like these planes land one behind the other,they all have a time factor,by the time one lands the terminal is cleared.
He said about 90 passangers not 100 or 150
great!. Boi i tell u them workers not ez. These ppl are not for development of country and ppl. See how they try to bring down the CEO. Yes he may have a pass history but ppl change.
I calling on the ppl of soufriere/Scotts head and Gallion wen Workers come in all u area on Saturday run dem out! Blair Webb is from Soufriere. Hector John and Lennox and de other had so much to say about the plane and CTO. Give them a hash welcome.
what a bunch of crap
Do not forget the the saying,”Old habits die hard” lolol
Bravo!! There you have it.
How long is it going to take the smaller planes to arrive in Dominica?
Burn Liat burn…
CIT we are patiently waiting on your airline to get home with dignity. We have suffered to much in the pass AA did it your can do it to. Dot all the Is and cross all the Ts when the FAA give you all the green light I will be first on board. All the good luck in the world. Blessings