Local hotelier, Sam Raphael, has been commended by Chief Executive Officer of the Dominica Air and Sea Port Authority (DASPA) Benoit Bardouille for his initiative; HummingBird Air.
The airline, which began flying into Dominica and St Lucia from the US Virgin Islands recently, is now awaiting its official license from DASPA, which Bardouille said is currently being discussed.
“It is comforting to know that a local person has been able to evaluate all the risks and take on this challenge in terms of being able to move persons and from what I can see I think it is commendable,” he told DNO. “Jungle Bay has not only looked at the rooms but they are now looking at seats to full the rooms and the correlation between these two is a very good business venture and I wish them well.”
According to Bardouille, all aspects as it relates to safety has to be undertaken before the final license is issued to the new airline.
“HummingbirdAir has made a request to the Air Transport Licensing Board and that is being reviewed at the moment,” he stated. “Within a very short space of time there will be a decision by the board in relation to that but the issue of safety is of paramount importance to the board and we want to ensure that we get that done.”
In the meantime, Bardouille revealed that CIT Airways will not be flying into Dominica until all necessary processes are fully completed.
CIT Airlines (Caribbean Island Transport), which had described itself as the ‘national carrier of Dominica’ said last year that it would begin offering direct flights to the island from Fort Lauderdale in January 2014.
But the airline went silent and Bardouille described the matter as a ‘business consideration.’
“It was a business consideration and business considerations are only implemented after all the processes are completed,” he said. “And if the process is not complete you cannot go through with that process until you have all the requirements, so you can have the discussions but if the discussions have not materialized to the point where you can be granted permission then, it’s a no go.”
He revealed further that the air access committee has been meeting regularly to ensure that new access routes become available for individuals travelling into Dominica.
“We have successfully gotten increased seats from Winair and we are working with Air Antigua,” Bardouille noted. “And then we have about 15,000 seats being utilized between St Martin and Dominica. We also have that airline going to Guadeloupe, so that’s an additional number of seats that are going to Guadeloupe.”
He said there are further plans to look into other routes.
True Visionary , that is Sam…
Sam has done well haaving got his beginning from the 6 million DOLLARS economic passports he recieved from the UWP Govt .in the late nineties .Now that his hotel has survived he is moving on in a relevant investment ,,well at least this has been an upward momentum for that source of investment.
We need however to respect those other Dominicans who too in earlier years introduced indigenous AVIATION in Dominca
I read the book from Honeychurch on this and noted his lack of mention of DOMINCA AIRWAYS which was the first local Airline and was introduced in the 70,s by former PM OJ SERAPHIN with pilots CK SHILLINGFORD and Alfonso Laville
The AILRLINE was a cargo passenger service carrying 30 passengers which brought out groups including Swinging Stars ,Belles combo, Gramax to the French dorms and the USVI
The airline carried agricultural produce for the then Marketing Board as well Madonis Doctrove and BELLOS ETC
Later Shiulligford after Seraphin sold to Air Martinique on becoming Minister of Aviation ..COM AND WORKS joined Air Martinioqe as a spray plane pilot and went to the USVI forming CLINT AERO …
HIS COPILOT Ian pringele then formed Pringle airline from st croix . He died at a crash of his plane his body or plane were never found .
later BEVIN ROMAIN from ST JOSEPH formed BEVIN AIR SERVICES which is still operationa from ST . Thomas
I think we need to commend Sam , but remember he needs then support of locals alike and government to make this a real success . The economy is already in a mess , let’s help local visionaries like same help our economy grow. We need to start giving local visionaries tax breaks for contributions like hiring local and invite the private sectors to tax breaks like we give the Chinese who clear there counters with invoices in Chinese and are allowed to sell dildo’s on the shelves in Portsmoth and our locals can’t compiete with their merchandise prices ! These are the ideas we need Mr Pm to ensure the state and wealth of this nation .
@historian thank you for keeping my family’s legacy alive. Clint Aero INC was a 30 plus year business that established and ran transportation and export routes to and from Dominica and honestly had my grandfather not fallen sick early The route would still be running…. soon you will see us again. But I wanted to say thank you for keeping us alive. We love our country.
Bravo Sir !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
I wonder, who in there Right senses will want to do business in horrible Dominica , People talk so much rubbish out of their mouth they are the # 1 begger in the world.. this place is sickening
stop blame the government you all need to check u all selfs before you all fools wreck ur self….. , however you done wreck already its terrible so many smart people in Dominica , but yet no one second thinks whats come out of their teethless mouth
goush man change you all ways damn it
Proud of you Sam! God bless
I’m happy to see that he has taken on the initiative its not a big deal because the same exact type for business model has been attempted by other Dominicans in the past. Hopefully he/Sam can supplement the cost of aircraft maintenance and insurance with his other businesses. Most importantly is for people to support his efforts business wise if its financially feasible for them.
The start up of an airline is no easy process.
Everyone is praising the intiative – do we even know what approvals have been granted by CAA and FAA to this airline. A airline is not a bus company – our lives are at risk if all is not correct and above board.
Come on people wake up!
WHOSSSSSSSSSSS He Sexy we papa..I have have to try a thing there on him to get my frequent flier miles.. Call me puss
It is sad yet comforting to know that a son of this soil, although having had setbacks put on him and his business by the government of this soil, can be so innovated to move forward to improve the lives of the people of this soil. I pray and hope that Sam is not being punished nor are the powers that be trying revenge him by taking too much time to issue this licence and that he will be given the licence needed sooner rather than later. Late 2013 we heard of fly-by-night airline that wanted to land in Dominica and was given permission almost immediately to land. Why is Sam not afforded that same privilege?
@ Observer…Don’t hold your breath on this one my friend. No awards will be given to Sam for doing the work of government. Further, I highly doubt that Sam honored the “status quo” by giving kickbacks to anyone for approving the licenses or approvals etc.
To Sam I say very well done sir. You have shown that you know what it takes to keep this country moving. May jan bless and protect you abundantly. But be mindful that Change Is A Must, NOT An Option.
‘I AM FOR CHANGE; ARE U?”
Assertive, NOT Agressive!
Before Hummingbird, There was Clint Aero (C K ) Ian Pringle Bevin and many others before ,who did it on their own.Lest we forget
Nice, give Sam an “A” for effort and trying to bring job to dominca. The few time i have meet him at jungle bay, he was always friendly, and professional
The Dominica Air Transport Licensing Board has not yet discussed the Airline.
DNO, I have not already said that. You keep saying that it is a duplicate and I have already said that. What is wrong? For the second time, I am trying it again.
Everything takes time and nothing happens before its time. The other saying, “Take time to do good.” Passengers’ safety is of paramount importance. Let everything take its course.
All’s well that ends well. Good luck Sam. Someday I hope to travel with your Airline.
Everything takes time and nothing happens before its time. The other saying, “Take time to do good.” Passengers’ safety is of paramount importance. Let everything take its course.
All’s well that ends well. Good luck Sam. Someday I hope to travel with your Airline.
But wait nuh Bardouille is FAA nuh, to be meeting on Safety issues concerning Aircraft, and why is he concerned about flights and seats to other destinations in relations to Dominica’s Air and Sea Ports,,,
Garçon is fellows like you dat holding back progress to this Place you know!!!
Ok please explain what “business considerations that have to be implemented after all the processes are completed” DASPA concerns are not suppose to be safety issues???
So what other Business issues that must be considered nuh,,,
Aright you talking about some committee meeting on access routing, again, all Airline Routing for these regions are not already established nuh by some superior regional or international aviation body rather than “the air access committee”!!!
What new access routes that must become available for individuals traveling into Dominica???
Routes are not established already nuh, fly from JFK, or MIA to SJU to DOM that’s the only route wi that could be a little confusing all people looking for is a better Schedule to connect from SJU to DOM wi,,,
Garçon stop holding back progress nuh and stop being part of the problem in preventing people from visiting their Homeland and bring back a little currency to try keep the economy afloat a little,,,
Everything takes time and nothing happens before its time. The other saying, “Take time to do good.” Passengers safety are of paramount importance. Let everything take its course.
All’s well that ends well. Good luck Sam. Someday I hope to travel with your Airline.
Hope liat does not sabotage this. We talking hummingbird air leave everyone else out. When they come on board vwe will give them praises.
If a 727 jet can land on Dominica how come a 727 service has not been established from Tampa or Ft Lauderdale Florida to Dominica. They can land 727 cargo aircraft on Dominica why not passenger. Dominica needs a jet service direct from the US so people are not stuck overnight. Getting to Dominica is a pain. Back in the 1960’s that’s all BWIA used 727 jets, they were called sun jets.
A 727 cargo jet does not have to meet the same stringent safety requirements as 727 passenger jet would.
I do hope that Sam will be given a national award, and not allow his political preference to be a key player in determining this.
Politics! Politics! Politics again! Why politics and so much of it? Why do politics and its speculation have to be in everything people do? It is all in your mind.
For some reason these bureaucrats don’t understand the plight of the North American traveler.
Most of us can make a direct flight from North America to Puerto Rico. But the LIAT and Seaborne flights leave San Juan too early causing most of us to overnight in PR. That’s a disgrace that something as simple as that cannot be coordinated.
Before we had night landing capability I could understand the logistics, but now it makes no frigging sense to overnight in Puerto Rico.
It must be a conspiracy to leave people stranded in Puerto Rico or Antigua so the hotels can make more money.
Good Job Sam!
Dear Nacinimid
I absolutely empathise with you.
There appears to be an increase in flights to Dominica ; however this does not make travel to the homeland more comfortable or convenient.
The flight from and to London arrives and departs from Antigua at a time that allows for early arrival to and from Dominica. But due to the uncoordinated operations we are left to languish in Antigua, instead of enjoying a bit more of our beautiful island.
Why oh why can’t this people consider the passengers?
It is so stressful travelling to and from Dominica.
Operators, please listen to our pleas and try to make our travel less srtressful.
There’s a major difference between knowing something, understanding its impact and being knowledgeable enough to resolve the issue. It’s clear they know… that’s where it ends.
Maybe we can continue the flight to either St. Croix or St. Thomas and based on a “wing and a prayer” hope that we can make a connection on Hummingbird Air and continue on to Dominica. I’m not sure where our luggage would end up though…….but who knows you might get to DA in one day.
I quite agree even the travelling times to the US is ridiculous. I just don’t get it.
Benoit Bardouille, “Air Antigua”? Will we ever read about “AIR DOMINICA, NATURE ISLE AIR, or SISSEROU AIR”? Will we ever read about an airline that will fly passengers to and from the US, preferably from Fort Lauderdale, into Melville Hall?
By-the-way, great names for our future airline.
Ironically both names were used for actual airlines, serving Dominica.
– Nature Island Express existed in the 90’s and was based at Canefield but ceased operations when one its two Beechcraft crashed into the sea off the airfield in Jan. of 1992 with the loss of two lives.
– Sisserou Airways was another local initiative (Erwin Ferreira I believe), which was announced by Ian Douglas in Nov. 2008 but was almost stillborn and ceased operations after just a few flights.
However, if you have money to spend and ready to wit for a long-term payback there is nothing from stopping you to revive these initiatives. Good luck!
Is there an Air Antigua?….
No. There is an outfit called ABM Air (for Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat) based in Antigua, which, as the name implies, principally services Barbuda and Montserrat from Antigua.
Hummingbird Air still in discussion for permission to land? Sam your name must be Job!
Who wants to do business in this place?
Congratulations Sam!
A true Dominican you are indeed! Contested elections, did not win, put that behind you and continued to work to develop your investments and your country. You have seen yet another opportunity and seized it, for your own benefit and that of the country. That is what business and investment and true patriotism are about.
Hats off, my brother for your vision! I hope that you do not get bashed and battered for your success by the growing army of haters all around us!
May God continue to bless you, your business and your family and may you continue to work hard and use your brain and energy for such positive pursuits!
Well Done Sam.
Wish you could teach those clowns governing this poor country () how business is done.
CHANGE IS A MUST
NOT AN OPTION!
sam airline have nothing to do with red or blue. so where change is a must coming from please live it out ok
@Canefield The inept, cluelsess desperate and wicked Reds can definitely learn from hsi mastery of doing business.
Is it that hard to praise someone without adding politic in it you breath. you drink.you sleep. you eat politic would it be that hard to say well done Sam. stop tearing Dominica apart build Dominica not destroy it with politic
@concern Politics is in everything on earth. Even in the coffin that is used to bury you. So stop puffing off hot air.
Nuff respect to you, Sam!
Well done, Sir Sam!