EZ Air all set to add a fleet of larger aircrafts in mid 2021

Local Curaçao 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 increase the fleet around mid-2021.

The addition of the two larger aircraft occurs after a careful review of both the current fleet and the new aircraft to be added.

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"It may seem like a special moment to work on development, 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 events 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 comparatively 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 otherwise 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 stops after the addition of the new aircraft.

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.