KRALENDIJK, WILLEMSTAD - Local carrier EZ Air will be adding larger aircraft to its existing fleet of two 19-seater Beechcraft aircraft and 1 Britten-Norman Islander with 9 seats in the foreseeable future.
The larger aircraft must strengthen the fleet around mid-2021. The addition of the two larger aircraft comes after a careful analysis of both the current fleet and the new aircraft to be added.
Special
"It may seem like a special moment to work on expansion, but in fact we were on it before the Covid-19 crisis hit us," says CEO Rene Winkel. Although circumstances have changed dramatically in the past year, the airline sees plenty of opportunities in the current market.
Winkel says the two Beechcraft-type devices have proven themselves over the past two years and have done an excellent job. “At the same time, we notice that the aircraft have relatively few seats for certain routes that we want to fly. In addition, it happens regularly, especially on the route between Bonaire and St. Eustatius, that luggage has to be left behind because there is insufficient space. We want that differently, because it is neither good for us nor for the passengers.”
The addition of the new aircraft also offers the possibility to serve more destinations in the region. Although EZ Air is now starting with the addition of two aircraft, a third aircraft is also ready to further strengthen the fleet if necessary. "And if necessary, a fourth or fifth," says Winkel. If all goes according to plan, the routine network will consist of approximately 10 regional destinations after the addition of the new aircraft.
Cabin crew
A big change for EZ Air, but also for the passengers, is that the new aircraft will have cabin crew on board. "Aircraft between 20 and 50 seats must have at least 1 steward or stewardess on board for flight safety," says commercial director Sueyenne Dammerman, who in the past also worked as a flight attendant at Air Aruba, among others. Dammerman will therefore be responsible for the recruitment and training of the new cabin crew. The presence of cabin crew also makes it possible to provide passengers on longer flights with a snack and a drink.
EZ Air has already invested considerable amounts in recent years in new operational systems, including a new reservation system, a system for online check-in and a module for cargo operations. In addition to passengers, EZ Air now also transports a considerable volume of cargo.
Financier
The main financier of EZ is Pensioenfonds Caribisch Nederland (PCN), which loaned money to EZ Air through investment company PMCN to start up the current operation. PMCN executives, Walter Blijleven and Bharat Bhojwani, say the financing is managed satisfactorily, even in the difficult corona time. “A small miracle,” says Blijleven. “EZ Air has found a way to generate the necessary turnover, despite the cancellation of regular flights, with charters and cargo flights.” PMCN is closely involved in discussions about the expansion with the new devices.