Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, June 14, 2023 – interCaribbean Airways announces the closing on the acquisition of seven (7) additional ATR-42s. The 48-seat regional aircraft have been acquired from TAROM, S.A., a long-standing Romanian flag network airline.
Accepting the ATRs from TAROM, Chairman and founder of interCaribbean Airways, Lyndon Gardiner, expressed satisfaction at fulfilling promises to the governments and people of the Caribbean. “We are delighted to introduce these capable aircraft, boldly expanding our capacity and operational flexibility. These aircraft will allow us to implement our commitments to expand in under-served markets, especially in the eastern Caribbean.
interCaribbean will start adding capacity following this transaction closure in time for the summer peak season when travelers within the region take to the skies. interCaribbean has been determined to increase capacity to meet increasing demand for its services since entering the eastern Caribbean during the pandemic. Today interCaribbean is seven steps closer to realizing that goal.
Thanking TAROM for their collaborative approach to the transaction, Chairman Gardiner said interCaribbean will benefit from TAROM’s excellent example in sustainable aviation practices, quality assurance in the airline industry, and timeliness in the delivery of the aircraft. Gardiner said, “Strong partnerships as we have developed with TAROM are very helpful to our growth objectives.”
The newly received ATRs from TAROM brings the number of ATRs operated by the company to 10. The company intends to retire Embraer 120 aircraft by the end of 2023, positioning these newer and larger airplanes to support the growing regional demand.
With a significant expansion of schedules and routes from its new Barbados hub, interCaribbean reported a first-quarter increase of 83 percent in the number of flights, and a 109 percent increase in seating capacity across its routes.
As the largest privately-owned airline in the Caribbean, interCaribbean has been making significant progress with a uniquely strong focus on the resilient niche demand for intra-regional travel. It is especially responsive to governments, tourism interests, airports, and passenger voices asking for more regional air service.
Tony: Hello and good afternoon my people. Well the Romanian company is getting read of those Twenty Five year old planes because they are buying new more modern planes. What are the air worthiness of the planes that they expect our people to fly on. I also would like to know if they are going to have a direct flight from St Thomas to Dominica.
These aircraft, ATR-500, 48 seaters, were acquired by Tarom between 2098 and 2000 and no longer listed in their fleet, surplus to requirements. They are good aircraft and still have a lot of life left in them. Liat pilots will be familiar with them.
and they are excellent for operating in- out of DOM.
Gaston Browne convinced Skerrit that the only option for regional travel was to sink more money into LIAT ( the bottomless pit).
I would much prefer the governments within the region reduce their burdensome taxes and fees and allow the private sector to provide that service.
The airline business is one of the toughest businesses to run. If governments can’t master the most basic tasks, they most certainly cannot run an airline. They have proven that time and again through the years.
The Barbados hub is a good logistical move. This also proves that an inter regional airline can be run profitably without government participation (and interference).
@Pipo – Hmmmm, I’m wondering if Barbados has been searching for ways to have a regional airline hub based on its island. Has this InterCaribbean hub finally given it what it wanted?
Over the years, there have been talks about LIAT headquarters moving from Antigua to Barbados. I credit Gaston for resisting all attempts to take LIAT Headquarters from Antigua.
[Flashback to 2015]: Antigua furious over ‘treasonous’ plans for LIAT and Barbados – https://www.antillean.org/liat-barbados-new-airline-246/