Vikings From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (11 years 7 months 3 days 19 hours ago) and read 715 times:
ORANJESTAD, Aruba
October 23, 2000
One of the primary goals of The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Tourism, Social Affairs and Culture is to protect quality tourism in Aruba as well as to ensure a sound economy and to expand employment opportunities.
Despite working diligently for months to save the capital position of Air Aruba which bears the name of our country, the government has had to make the tough choice of closing down Air Aruba’s operations as of Monday, October 23, 2000.
Foremost of concern are those passengers who are currently in Aruba and will need passage home, as well as those passengers planning travel to Aruba. Travelers are urged to call in the United States 1-201-330-0800 or in Aruba to call 8-36600. The government is committed to our tourists and the number one industry in Aruba.
In 2000, tourism is growing at nearly 9%. This is because Aruba is the rising star in the Caribbean and experiences the highest repeat visitor rate than any island destination.
“To maintain quality tourism, coupled with Aruba’s popularity with travelers from the United States, we must positively ensure all individuals with tickets [proof of purchase on or before October 22, 2000 with accompanying sworn verification] on Air Aruba that the government stands to protect your interests,” stated Lili Beke-Martinez, M.D., Minister of Economic Affairs, Tourism, Social Affairs and Culture.
Aruba is currently served with twice-daily flights on American Airlines from Miami, as well as service from New York and San Juan. Delta Airlines flies nonstop from Atlanta and this winter will begin service from JFK. TWA and Continental also provide frequent service to Aruba from the U.S. United Airlines will add service from Chicago in November, as will US Airways from Philadelphia.
Capt.Picard From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 1, posted (11 years 7 months 3 days 19 hours ago) and read 686 times:
I suspect they just couldn't compete with the sheer size of the American presence in Aruba. It would be interesting to note what kind of air agreements are in place between Aruba and the US.
Dash8 From New Zealand, joined Aug 2005, 1 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (11 years 7 months 3 days 13 hours ago) and read 653 times:
Aruba has a full open sky agreement with the US.
Great for Aruba, bad for Air Aruba.
As you guys know Aserca (Venezuela) owns 70% of the company. And they did this because Aserca doesn't fall in the US's CAT1 so they can't fly to the US.
They thought they could use planes from Air Aruba to fly from Venezuela ta the US. But they're not so stupid.
So the Venezuelan president milked the company for all it was worth. Met as well suck all the money out of it.
Those MD-90's are leased at near 757 rates. They're forced to by overpriced parts at Aserca etc etc. You get the picture.
Well that's what they get for hurrying into privatisation.
We here at ALM, are in that process now, though we're taking it much more slowly. The thing is we don't have an open sky yet with the US. Even so we barely manage.
It all started when the Aruba Airport Authority (AAA) impounded properties of Air Aruba. They had a debt of 3 million dollars. So the case went to court and it got delayed for another 3 weeks.
But now HWA HSIA of Taiwan smelled blood and ordered all 3 MD-90 grounded, thus cutting Air Aruba's fleet in half.
Aruba decided to end the misery and stop all ops.
Last I heard was that they would start back in 3 to 4 months.
Ceilidh From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (11 years 7 months 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 641 times:
Hey, Dash8, if you think Air Aruba was bad - wait and see what will happen if Aleong and Dupree's takeover bid for ALM goes ahead ... not only does it sound like revenge on the part of Aleong for being kicked out of ALM, but if he uses the same practices that he's done at BWIA you can be sure of loads of invoices for 'consultancy fees'!
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