New airline coming to Dominica

TIA 200 aircraft

Chief Executive Officer of the Dominica Air and Sea Port Authority (DASPA), Benoit Badouille, has revealed that Trans Island Air 2000 airline (TIA) will soon be providing services to Dominica.

TIA is an airline from Barbados, and its aircraft measures about ninety feet in length.

Speaking to Kairi FM News, Badouille said that the introduction of this airline to Dominica forms part of efforts geared towards getting better air access to the island.

“We have some challenges when it comes to air access into Dominica…we are trying to use second and third tier airlines to be able to bridge the gap in terms of transiting persons to Dominica,” he said.

The airline offers scheduled flights and private charter flights to 15 destinations within a radius of 800 miles.

Badouille added that this new airline will be using the Douglas Charles Airport and the Canefield Airport, and from October 23rd 2017, a new route will be opened between the Canefield Airport and the Hewanorra International Airport in St. Lucia for direct flight connections.

“This would be a direct flight between TIA so that persons can fly to St. Lucia and then from St. Lucia to Dominica direct. So you can have a connection in St. Lucia and then you would be able to use TIA to come to Dominica,” Badouille stated.

He noted that once this new route is strengthened, the airline will also be doing transit between Barbados, St. Lucia, and Dominica.

He is hopeful that this airline will be providing services of transit between Dominica and the French islands as well.

“So firstly, we are looking to strengthen the route, and TIA is one of those airlines that we are seeking to utilize it,” he remarked.

 

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49 Comments

  1. Benoit Badouille; you personally can use your personal money and buy a million of the single engine air crafts seen here that will not help you or Dominica. I am wondering when we will hear someone has received diplomatic passport money to buy airline to bring people to Dominica.

    Engulf in your backwardness, and blinded by it, you nor any of Skerrit puppets can even sit for a moment and suggest the building of an International Airport. The lack of an International is the problem! Benoit, there are working class people who owns such Aircrafts flying only for their pleasure.

    One day a guy invited me to go to Las Vegas, I told him I did feel like driving the three hundred miles. The man told me we are not going to driving: ” I have my own Aircraft:” This is a young black guy, his aircraft is larger then displayed. We worked for the same company then; he worked as a metal machinist!

  2. smile
    July 6, 2017

    an other one again??? those that are there not even functionning well

  3. Anthony Ismael, Graduate Degree in Kicks Off
    July 6, 2017

    These mosquito planes will be used to fly in the Red Supporters to the Red Clinic every Friday from Marigot to Canefiled, before they hop a bus to Roseau and meet up with the Dear Leader for their share of the CBI money. :-P :-P :-P :-P :-P

  4. Anthony Ismael, Graduate Degree in Kicks Off
    July 6, 2017

    So I did a little research and TIA Airline has a mixed fleet including the following types of aircraft: Beach 99, King Air, Twin Otter and Embraer EMB-110. Once again, Bad Wheel and the Dominica Labor Party continues to labor in foolery. You can add 1 million small aircrafts to Dominica and it will make no difference. The cost per ticket will remain sky high, because the overall cost of the trip is shared amongst a smaller group of travelers compared to a larger aircraft. When you factor in taxes and draconian fees, those traveling to Dominica will continue to be hosed. I will never land at Canefield again. The cross-winds are much too risky for me, especially during Easter.

  5. Toto
    July 6, 2017

    Seeing is believing. I will reserve my comment till then.

  6. Be Good
    July 6, 2017

    not good this small planes please again

  7. Netherlands Rose
    July 6, 2017

    Whats the capacity of this aircraft in other words how many passengers this is important not the length.
    Why do I have to travel to St Lucia and not Barbados or Antigua which is the hub.
    Mr Bardouille or Mr Goodwill after 17 years of promising an international airport from your labour government thats the best you can do.
    Hod Help Us.

    • Malatete
      July 6, 2017

      St. Lucia’s Hewannora is an international jet airport and a hub. It is serviced with scheduled flights by the likes of Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transair, Delta , United Airlines, JetBlue, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic as well as other U.K. holiday airlines Thomas Cook and Thomson.
      This is in addition to a number of regional charter airlines plus a helicopter service. Personally, I prefer this airport and Brabados to Antigua and it would be a viable alternative. What has always been lacking is a local service from Dominica to this airport, LIATgoing Castries only, with an indirect flights

  8. What a joke
    July 5, 2017

    what is this toy doing is this carrying ants

  9. Driver
    July 5, 2017

    Is this a chicken or egg story? Which came first? Is it going to be feasible to maintain ? Where are the people coming from? I have seen LIAT, although sometimes late, also oftimes “empty”?!!

  10. Let The Truth Be Known - Original
    July 5, 2017

    This is good news. Compliment the government for trying to get a reliable airline to fly to Dominica which is for the benefit of Dominica passengers.
    Air Canada goes directly to St. Lucia and passengers from especially Canada could book to St. Lucia and transfer to this new airline in St. Lucia. There are other airlines which go directly to St. Lucia, Guadeloupe and Martinique.
    Travel Agencies abroad would have to be informed so that those who book with them will be able to help connect them quickly and on time to this airline.
    Those who reside in the US, as in N.Y. Florida and elsewhere could offer their opinion about this feasibility.
    Those who travel to Dominica, they will have to book at an appropriate time to connect to this new airline to Dominica and hopefully not have to in transit.
    Good luck!

    • Anthony Ismael, Graduate Degree in Kicks Off
      July 6, 2017

      This is a terrible idea. NY to San Juan$350.00. San Juan to Dominica round trip: $400.00. When you add taxes to that ticket its well over $800.00 person. A family of 3 must come up with $2400.00 to fly to Dominica from the States. That same family can fly from the States to Barbados for $900.00 depending on when the tickets are purchases. So where do you think they will chose to vacation? Will it be Dominica or Barbados? You tell me.

  11. July 5, 2017

    Hoping for efficient service with TIA! Fantastic news.

  12. July 5, 2017

    This is good news, it’s a pity people have to find an issue in every new development prospect.

    • Anthony Ismael, Graduate Degree in Kicks Off
      July 6, 2017

      No Winston. It simply cost more to fly to Dominica than other Caribbean destinations. As a result, our tourism product continues to suffer while our neighbors flourish.

  13. Karfwane Wedgehart
    July 5, 2017

    What lovely toys! my grand son would have a field day with those. I wonder where can I get a few on sale?

  14. HOODY
    July 5, 2017

    Mark my words…when October arrives either the same Bardouille or the Tourism minister will be giving an excuse why the service hasn’t started yet

  15. Ideal
    July 5, 2017

    Poor Dominica, we are the only one without an international airport, we we have to rely on Liat and these toy planes, we go island hopping before we can reach home. I wonder when our international airport will be built but then again as election is just around the corner we will be hearing the promise of one,

  16. johnjay
    July 5, 2017

    while its good for Dominica but who are the owners of this airline. we want to hear what they have for Dominica not you to be blowing thet TRUMPETS for them.

  17. Nonesense idea
    July 5, 2017

    I would really like to know ,why these so called managers , think that their nonsensical ideas ,and bandaid solutions will work . How long can you people sit on your brains . We should be thinking on a bigger and better scale. Man you should be ashamed at yourself to even entatain such backward development. if you want to say something to the public then please say that the feasibility study is Done for our international airport and plans are being drawn up.
    Other wise keep that stupid insect plane idea off. You all really putting people lives in trouble.
    What kind Of managers we have advising us .
    Stupid ,silly , dumb.

  18. positive
    July 5, 2017

    we need flight coming out fram the french countries straight to canfield

  19. cc
    July 5, 2017

    Fred Flinstone must be happy all his planes coming to DA. :-D

  20. Channel 1
    July 5, 2017

    Ohhhhhhhhh pleeaaaaaaassssssssseeeeeeeeeeee. While other islands in the region are looking forward to and/or celebrating new airlines coming in with 100-seater plus jumbo jets from the US, UK etc into their islands, Dominica is celebrating the arrival of more small seater aka ‘toy plane’ airplane service.

    Labourrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr………………………….

    Labbouuuuuuurrrrrrrrrr………………………………..

    • July 6, 2017

      That is the best comment that you have we have to walk before we can run and this is a good move we need as many connecting flight as we can get so we can force Liat work better with the people then we move up
      but you cannot move up to bigger when we cannot get connected guys stop blaming government they are trying.

    • Tom Brown
      July 6, 2017

      Channel 1 stop it.
      Is there an international airport in Dominica yet. Soon to come. 100 seater what an at the moment to land where.
      Learn to baby before you become and adult. Good things come to those who wait

      • Me
        July 7, 2017

        The only thing guaranteed to come to those who wait is death.

  21. Kareem
    July 5, 2017

    How many Dominicans travel per day to St. Lucia for this to be a success? And remember , most of those who do travel take the ferry which is cheaper

    • Malatete
      July 5, 2017

      Please remember , the ferry takes you to Castries and not Hewanorra airport, at the other end of St. Lucia for connecting international flights.

    • Let The Truth Be Known - Original
      July 5, 2017

      Ask, “. . . will be traveling to St. Lucia?” I have confidence that once they hear about it, many will be traveling by this route especially those who reside abroad. This new airline may not be able to accommodate all of them at one time. Nevertheless, it is something to look forward to than unreliable LIAT.

    • Patty Cakes
      July 6, 2017

      Trust me if the fares are reasonable, many more people will be taking this airline instead of the ferry. Is not everybody that want to for 6 hours by sea just to get to St. Lucia. Some people like me so are not sea travellers. The way people have to be throwing up and their head feeling light is not a good thing at all. Remember ferry only became popular when the price of oil went sky high and the ferry offered cheaper alternatives.

      So if the airline fares is within the $300-400 range, people will take it.

  22. weh
    July 5, 2017

    How many passengers can this plane hold?

    • Malatete
      July 6, 2017

      Beech 350 King Air 12 passenger, Beech 99 ( a development of the KIng Air) 15 passengers.

  23. Malatete
    July 5, 2017

    Two small aircraft, one Beech 99 (15 pax) and a Beech K350 (12 pax) to serve all these destinations on a daily basis? A bit ambitious I would have thought. No back-up if there is any breakdown. Still I hope it works but I rather wait for the additional Twin Otter they are supposed to have on order (they could use the one from Grenada air on the Barbados register I suppose). Keeping my fingers crossed. Half an egg is better than an empty shell.

  24. ????
    July 5, 2017

    How does know the length of the aircraft help anyone?

    • calypso
      July 5, 2017

      TRUE! I think seating capacity and weight restrictions would serve the public in making their travel arrangements especially coming from America, Canada Europe etc. Festival and Christmas planning is in full effect so can Badouille please get back to us so we can plan accordingly?

      • Barbadian
        July 6, 2017

        Agreed! That was my first observation. What does the length of the Toy have to do with me as a traveler???

        Dominica will forever be crowned as Miss Kakarat of the Caribbean! While all others are moving on with 20,30,40 year plans, we their negotiating with mosquitoes to shape our development!

  25. zandoli
    July 5, 2017

    You guys are looking at this like a blind man trying to describe an elephant. You have to do that, but very importantly, you also have to reduce all these fees and taxes that make air travel unaffordable.

    • Let The Truth Be Known - Original
      July 5, 2017

      It is the same all over the world. The government is the recipient of the extra fees. It helps the economy.

    • Laughing at this country.
      July 6, 2017

      They don’t want the ordinary man in Dominica to be able to travel and see what life is like beyond it’s borders.

      • Anthony Ismael, Graduate Degree in Kicks Off
        July 6, 2017

        That’s right. They want them to remain poor and travel to the Red Clinic every Friday.

  26. truth ,no lie
    July 5, 2017

    what, Election is coming man, I know is always when an election is in the air we hear of new airlines, I will keep a keen eyes

  27. papa
    July 5, 2017

    Love winair always on time

  28. Dominican Passports
    July 5, 2017

    Again? That’s like the fifth one! I guess my passports will sell faster now

  29. EnfantDiable
    July 5, 2017

    Very good.

  30. efewq
    July 5, 2017

    stupes….we need flight straight to MIA or JFK

    • July 5, 2017

      MIA is feasible from DOM, but JFK is not. I’d take either, though.

  31. July 5, 2017

    When is it starting

    • Laughing at this country.
      July 6, 2017

      WHEN COCK GROW TEETH!!

      • Me
        July 7, 2017

        And Easter falls on Christmas day.

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