Airline industry sources are revealing that American Eagle is moving toward ending its 41 years of service to Dominica and other Eastern Caribbean destinations, with the scheduled phase-out of its San Juan, Puerto Rico base.
Reports indicate that the airline is overhauling its routes and international operations in the wake of American Airlines’ ongoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring process.
According to the sources all ATR 72 turboprop planes are being phased out at the end of 2013.
It was reported that American Eagle has announced to employees that the San Juan base will be closed by March 2013; a move that will create a vacuum in the region.
Reductions in flights began in September 2008 when the airline cut daily departures from 93 to 51, a 45 percent reduction. More came in 2010 when American Eagle ended flights to Anguilla; Port of Spain, Trinidad; Port-au-Prince, Haiti; and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Flights were also cut to Nevis, St. Maarten, Curacao, Bonaire, and Canouan.
The remaining destinations presently being served by American Eagle from San Juan are Antigua, Beef Island (British Virgin Islands), Barbados, Martinique, Grenada, Guadalupe, Dominica, St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. Kitts, St. Lucia and La Romana, Punta Cana, Santiago and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Most are served on a daily basis.
On a weekly basis American Eagle serves Dominica with 896 seats from San Juan
Lol.. Haha, if everyone commented gave a dollar to Our Country we would have an airport already..lol.. But it is good to see so many concerned for our future, blessing everyone
Does anyone have an update on the AA situation. I need to buy my daughter’s ticket to travel home April 2013. Will AA infact no longer be serving Dominica? What is so bad about LIat?
Eagle is pulling out so look for options. Depending on where you are located, You can fly Jet Blue to PR or Barbados and LIAT to Dominica. Other options if you are in NJ or NY I think are Delta to St. Marteen and LIAT to Dominica. Not sure if there wil be AA flights directly to Antigua…if you still want to use them. but there are options, we will survive.
Seems JetBlue will have to take up the slack into DA.
Or better still….. LIAT could invest in some of those larger capacity aircrafts, and operate more flights out of San Juan. Thus filling the void that will be left by the outgoing American Eagle.
WOYE Look they have to fall back on LIAT. The same Airline they want to destroy is the same one that they have to use to get out of DA. LIAT , your satisfaction is sure.
MOST OF YOU TALKING YOUR NONSENE HAVENT EVEN BEEN HOME IN AGES…I TRAVEL TO DA EVERY YEAR FOR CARNINVAL AND GO THRU BARBADOS, WITH NO PROBLEM, ALL U NEED TO STOP DEPENDING ON AA AIRLINES THEY DONT GIVE A SH ABOUT US……AND STOP BLAMING SKERRIT FOR THIS HOW IS THAT IS DONING? ALL U DUMMY IN A CANS… NEED TO STOP…..
DNO is staying very quite on that issue.
WHERE IS THE POLL FOR AN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ??????????????????
wow that will hurt the ross school and will damage the business in picard
we will see what happen
People an International Airport is not the Answer, I am from the BVI and we dont have an international airport but guess what $$$$ be flowing at our airport like crazy. I can recall at one point AA had up to 8 flights a day, during peak season. The PAX density on the island is high, therefore there is a need for a great number of flights. Unlike Dominica the PAX density is not really that good.
So building an international airport with no passengers is only gonna put the country in Dept, because the airlines are gonna charge the government for every empty seat when they fly in, if the government wants their service, ask the neighboring island of St.Lucia,American Airlines asked them to do the same.
Now the BVI is gonna suffer greatly seeing that there will no longer be ATR service into the island. But we have St.Thomas and ferry service as back up. so instead of rushing to the idea of building an international airport, it was decided that the Runway at the airport has to be extended to accommodate larger aircraft, at lease the regional jets operated by jet blue and American Eagle.
Dominica just needs to get some Serious Engineers to perform on the Melville Hall, do some land reclamation, and extend the runway out into the sea. SXM and BVI have been doing this for ages now so theres no reason why Dominica cant do it….the Chinese built an airport out in the ocean so we can look to get some chinese engineers and contractors.
Dis is some really bad news, the situation in Dominica is already so horrible in terms of Air Access its getting even worst. All the other islands that American Eagle operates their ATR service into have some form of alternate, whether through jet service direct from US. Mainland, or like the BVI customers fly into St.Thomas and take the Ferry over.
Now we are stuck with Liat, who SUCKS!!!!!!
Honestly i have nothing against liat, but the Union is banging the airline from their back with their face in the dirt.This really does not affect the intercaribbean travellers as AA prices are usually way higher than than liats, but for customers travelling between the US mainland and VI this means very BAD news.\
I’ve heard United Airlines intend to operate a service similar to American Eagles Caribbean service. if its true i hope the prices are good, cuz UNITED is EXPENSIVE!!!!!
I was recently looking at tickets to Dominica and noticed that American Eagle Added two (2) additional flights from SJU to DOM in the morning, i guess for the cricket, which i fine is super cool. I am so booking to DOM.
Executive Airlines (Operator of the ATR 72 for American Eagle) could enter an ACMI agreement with Government of Dominica for the establishment of Air Dominica with two ATR 72’s as a minimum. ACMI lease includes Aircraft, Crew, Maintainence, Insurance. The airline already has the Air Operator Certificate and is certified by the FAA. Simple rebrand the aircraft, create Air Dominica brand with logo, website for reservations & booking.
ACMI is the best way to lease an aircraft since all the headaches are taken away from starting an airline from scratch.
Where do I find a suitable airworthy aircraft, where can I find qualified Pilots & Flight Attendants, How long do I have wait for route approvals and obtain an Air Operator Certificate? What restrictions will I have on the type of aircraft I operate based on limitations ie runway length Melville Hall airport? Start up capital for a new airline is the hardest these are just some of challenges we avoid if we can have an ACMI lease for a Dominican airline. Basically you pay by the month or flight hour depending on your agreement. Government pays the lessor of the aircraft, Government through the brand Air Dominica will sell the seats to the public via website. Again a viable solution.
We would rent the plane, crew like a car. We do not worry about costly maintainence or insurance, legal paperwork required for the airline.
poor me for a woman that goes to dominica how many times a year i was so happy when eagle came cause liat had let me down so many times but am happy to say our LIVE ISLAND ANY TIME (LIAT) has always been aroen many comes and go but liat remain liat liat i love you am back in love with you
My Fellow Dominicans-
Have we considered towing the island closer to Guadelope or some other island so we can benefit from their international airport?
I think we should seriously start to think in that direction. RS has the history of negotiating with the Chinese.
Let see what happens
I hope all those educated people with no foresight (the ability to anticipate future events) can now see why an international Airport should have been mandatory for any developing country to attain, Dominica being no exception.
You all really think that operating an Airline is like having a ‘rum shop”. Liat is trying. The trade Unions are killing LIAt and limiting it growth. So long Liat Mgt is trying to restructure. BUt no, the union don’t want that. they don’t want any useless employee made redundant. BUt it will happen, LIAT will become more efficient.
AND lets remain loyal to LIAT, because no matter what comes our way, LIAT is the one airline that has our backs.
LETS LOVE OUR OWN! LIAT!
So true!!
Hello people, Dominica should not build an International Airport – Why ? Because she receive 1000 passengers weekly. Dominica should make use the many hubs around her – Antigua, Martinque , Barbados , St Lucia and San Juan. Dominica should extend Melvill hall Airport, repair and build new terminals – making it the best small Air Port in the Caribbean .
Well yall stuck with Liat. Maybe yall can ask Caribbean Airlines to Cater to you… Speaking of which I saw a caribbean Airlines 737 land with a full load of passengers for Carifta games. Didn’t see any Dominicans part-taking in the games… oh well..
Build a proper airport!
i guess you wasnt watching carifta games if you say you didnt see any dominicans part-taking.
Lord have mercy. Look at the ripple effect of this. This is also going to affect the students coming down to Ross University, because this was their main airline service. Right now they are going to look for areas where there is less stress and hustle. this will affect our economy. Poor us with LIAT
that is what happen when a country don’t have an international airport
Oh my God? This is sad. How am I going to get to D/ca from JFK. I am so disappointed. American Eagle is the only airline that I trust to travel with in terms of courtesy. I hope that would be an opportunity for Jet Blue airlines to take over. This cut will definitely limit my traveling plans to the country I love so much. I do not like the Caribbean airlines, they have no regards for their customers.
Fly American or JetBlue to Barbados. If I’m not mistaken LIAT now has a late flight leaving Barbados at approx. 5:00p.m going to Dominica. I saw this the other day while searching for a flight; I’m guessing this new time was recently introduced. You still get to reach home the same day.
Words are powerful. People we need to think before we write and speak. Bloggers have been crying “doom” over this country of ours day after day. You just never know when something with such a ripple effect will land on your door step. People stop crying down the country!!! Dominica is not the worst of the nations. I’m so thankful that m Dominican. I was not brought up with tribal hatred. I was born into a peaceful and beautiful country that many long for ESP in the middle seat regions where there is no peace………
God will make a way people. He did for the Israelites even when they shod continuos rebellion and ingratitude. He will do for us too, I pray…
EBBEH WELL NOW LIAT SMILING MORE.. SEE WAT HAPPEN TO WINAIR, REDJET AND NOW AMERICAN?..lol.. look i heard on the news liat going to raise the air fair u know..so… IS NOW LIAT GO SMILE.. SAKWE POTASSE LIAT
LIAT is always there to pick up the Distressed Masses that other so called Airlines left abandoned at their point of origin. LIAT will continue to fly to and from Dominica providing services where they like it or not. LIAT IS HERE TO STAY
Here’s an idea. Build one of these: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-08/01/content_6462111.htm right next to Portsmouth area. It is a floating runway that they built in Japan. Building it next to the school would be amazing in regards to the students (and maybe Ross can assist in funding (since they charge $50,000 USD per student per year and with over 1200 students on the island (not to mention all those back in the states), it would be a great idea! (Not holding my breath on that happening though.)
Innovative idea by the Japanese. However, Who will loan Dominica that type of cash to construct an international airport in these rough and tumble economic times?
Why is everyone thinking of who will loan or grant. No one has to loan or grant. Can we convince investors for a BOOT (build own operate, transfer) or BOT (Build operate transfer)..The only issue is whether it will be profitable to the potential investors and the answer lies partly in the volume of passengers that can be attracted and the taxes payable. In other words, the airport can become a business to savvy investors at very little cost to government, except perhaps extra marketing. Eventually the government will own the installation. Why is no one speaking about that? Not even the government?
BUILDING A RUNWAY NEXT TO A SCHOOL WOULD BE A BIT DISTRACTING DNT YOU THINK?
THE IDEA HAS MERIT AS LONG AS IT IS FEASIBLE FOR THE DOMINICAN GOVERNMENT, HOWEVER, I DO NOT AGREE WITH THE LOCATION
Skerrit Resign!!
Give skerrit a God dam break
This has nothing to do with Skerrit
son what you trying to say you … blame skerrit u sick you seeing they cuting all you sick all you just carrying a hate for this man for nothing you need to get rid of that hate and maybe just then you will prosper
From Mr Colin Piper
“Dominica is in the top five most profitable routes for American Airlines and not because of the money that is paid to American Eagle, but because Dominica is a gateway into their network,“ he explained, stating further, that the airline have been maximizing one bank.
According to Piper 60 percent of the flights coming into Puerto Rico arrive in the afternoon but American Airlines is not concerned about that.
He said the airlines have an agenda and it is now incumbent upon us to service the banks that come into San Juan in the afternoons.
“We as a destination need to go out and sell that availability to another airline and convince them to come from San Juan so that we can now attract people and get them into Dominica the same day. An international airport will not solve that,” he said.”
https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/all-news/financebusiness/international-airport-wont-solve-dominicas-air-access-problem-piper/
He is right actually. Those flights from SJU are profitable. If another airline (anyone who cares who) actually looks at regular evening flights from ‘anycity’ USA then it would be a great thing for us and an economically viable route for them.
As long as the outcome is NOT less flights, but a new service … who cares about SJU? Not me.
Colin is an A**!! So becuz of a tween prop, getting a couple of people to the island the same day we don’t need an International Airport!!,,
It’s not only passengers that will benifit from the Airport.. Maybe he needs to reconsider his position,,
Why San Juan? If things are changing anyway, why not seek a nonstop flight from somewhere more convenient, like Miami or Fort Lauderdale?
http://www.centreforaviation.com/analysis/american-eagles-exit-from-san-juan-leaves-gap-in-small-intra-caribbean-markets-71302
A little more insight.
Liat full of ****. They don’t have no competition and they always doing ppl what the hell they want and i think everybody knows that. Whenever you travel on liat you always have to wonder ‘boy, am i going to reach on time…am i going to make my connecting flight…am i ever going to reach’. I have traveled on liat and when i get to Antigua they cancelling there flights and the workers more wicked they not telling you anything…What kind of service is that?
The dude who owns Virgin Atlantic and Virgin America, rumor has it that he is planning on starting another airline called Virgin Caribbean using those same Dash8 planes as liat. If that is really true then that would be good, liat need blows, they need to feel what we been going through.
Go via Barbados / Antigua /St Maarten/ Guadeloupe etc …. SJU is ugly anyway.
On a side note. DA is now expected to invest in LIAT. It’s time to pressure them to get their S*** in order and serve us better …. if they want our money they can give us better service.
We have so many hubs… it’s a case of getting the connections to …. well …. connect.
Barbados is now an excellent hub. Liat has a Flight that leaves BGI at 5:05pm which allows on coming from NOrth, central or south America to get into Dominica on the same day…
I believe that late flight was recently introduced. Thank you liat!
You are right. That flight is excellent (provided tailwind does not exceed 5 knots on landing), also for passengers coming from the U.K. It has been on operation since Sept. of last year.
They are polite there also and don’t lose your bags.
All non-stop routes to Bridgetown Barbados.
Birmingham, UK 8h 55m Thomson
Charlotte, USA 4h 25m US Airways
Dallas, USA 5h 30m American
Dominica 1h 0m LIAT
Kingston 2h 35m Caribbean Airlines
London, UK 8h 43m Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Thomson
Manchester, UK 8h 50m Thomson, Virgin Atlantic
Miami, USA 3h 25m American
Montreal, Canada 5h 10m Air Canada
New York, USA 4h 51m American, JetBlue
Sao Paulo, Brazil 5h 40m Gol
Toronto, Canada
They have a flight to Barbados from DOM at 7/8am enough time for most flights out of Bridgetown,
Barbados is our gateway.
i heard that dominica and stlucia intends to invest in liat.. big mistake.. its a black hole putting money in liat.. anyway.. and that money is way not enough to do any damage control for liat.. what we re hearing like 3.5 million EDC..dollars from each island, THE PROS & CONS are .. that hopefully other competition will come in [ Barbados said they are doing what they can to put REDJET back in the air in 2 Months ..HURRAY]perhaps jetblue,air canada might fill the gap left by AA eagle, & now the rumour is Virgin ATl.. wants in good news— liat feels it can now own the skies even more since american eagle will terminate flights in a yr…IRONICALLY i think in the caricom islands apart from jamaica/bahamas .. ONLY DOM and STLU.. have 2 airports .. that is causing losses for each island we both need to shut down the smaller airports we each have and focus on only one.. and try to either sell those profitable airport lands to local/foreign investors or as part of roseau / castries expansions and tourism focused areas.. AIRPORT PROPERTY are worth multi millions.. after all the lands are flat and near the coast of each island mentioned … the gov need to recoup losses from teh global recession why not help the country out by being innovative , and cost effective ..
All airlines are cutting back now, so building an international airport will not solve the problem. The answer is to get people to travel more which includes, lower gas prices and subsequently lower air fair.
So who said about International Airport????????????
Dominica and the voting public are living in the dream world when it comes to the International Airport. St Vinent will have one built and operational in 2014, even little Tortola (British Virgin Islands) has plans to lengthen its runway of 5000 ft to 7000 ft accomodate medium-large jets in a few yrs. Dominica political parties are dragging their feet. Kudos to DLP for the wasteful spending on night landing and Melville Hall Upgrade. With American Eagle gone its back to LIAT monopoly. Until we get a new International Airport to get new airlines like JetBlue, Air Tran, Spirit Air Dominica is not going anywhere. Excuse after excuse why one can’t be built. They say there is no money alas St Vincent PM had the money issue for his International Airport but he got creative and he has results to prove it. Dominica has nothing to show plan after plan for an International Airport except empty promises we gonna build one one day. I am sick and tired of hearing this, I want to see mountains blown up, foundation being layed, runway being paved. DNO do your part and do some investigative journalism with some aviation experts. Educate ppl on why we need an International Airport.
DNO is staying very quite on that issue.
WHERE IS THE POLL FOR AN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ??????????????????
And when you blowing up those mountains what you going to do with all the volcanoes underneath them??
At the end of the financial year. Reports will say that American Airline CEO got an estimated bonus $12 Million dollars. FOR WHAT??
These companies/share holders are just absurd.
Just the thought of having to depend on LIAT gives me chills!
Hope something get done, soon.
who do i start to blame now. as usual dominica always get the bad end of the stick!!my fellow dominicans there are/will more to come.diasporas,students, visitors and travelers prepare to pay more for less.
Well i cant remember when last i took eagle.. their ish too high
please donot be despondednt my people-AIR China is on its way. This was revealed in the MOU- ASK RS. I heard the flight schedule will be something like DOM-CHINA-New York, with a possible lay over in AFGHANISTAN under Taliban watch. I also heard the from a reliable source that the airline will be subsidized by the CHINKNEES.
The sadest part however is that dominicans will need to go to a clearing house in argentina or some other country to get visas in the next couple of months.
Voice from Grand bay
dont put grand bay in your mouth