Dutch Antilles Express
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| Dutch Antilles Express | ||
|---|---|---|
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| IATA 9H |
ICAO DNL |
Callsign DUTCH ANTILLES |
| Founded | 2003 | |
| Hubs | Hato International Airport | |
| Secondary hubs | Flamingo International Airport | |
| Fleet size | 5 | |
| Destinations | 8 | |
| Parent company | Dutch Antilles Express B.V. | |
| Company slogan | Your Antillean Airline | |
| Headquarters | Curacao, Netherlands Antilles | |
| Key people | "Floris baron van Pallandt" (CEO) | |
| Website: http://www.flydae.com/ | ||
Dutch Antilles Express is a regional airline based in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles. It operates high-frequency scheduled services in the Dutch Caribbean and to Venezuela. Its main base is at Hato International Airport, Curaçao. The head office is at Pietermaai.
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[edit] History
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This article does not cite any references or sources. (April 2008) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
The airline started operations with a single ATR 42 in 2003 as BonairExel (part of the Exel Aviation Group) and soon expanded to encompass most of the Dutch Antilles and Aruba. Although an Embraer ERJ 145 was used on the Bonaire-Aruba flights, the aircraft was soon disposed of again, returning to Air Exel (and was leased to Luxair and now flying for City Airline). Although BonairExel flew its aircraft in the Exel colorscheme, operated with Air Exel aircraft and flew with Air Exel cabin staff, the airline was wholly owned by a Dutch millionaire, residing on Bonaire, operating simply as a franchise carrier. As the local market was rather small, a subsidiary was formed on Curaçao, named Curaçao Exel. Dutch Caribbean Airlines (DCA) declared bankruptcy not long after. Exel Aviation noticed that the Caribbean airlines were very profitable, and set up its own Aruba Exel, causing distress amongst the other franchise carriers.
With the Exel empire expanding too rapidly in Europe and the Caribbean, it was no surprise that the dream would not last long. In a lawsuit against Nick Sandman (owner of Bonaire and Curaçao Exel) to demand back the invested amount, and confiscate back the ATR 42 aircraft, ties dissolved between the Exel Aviation Group and the Caribbean franchise carriers. With minimal funds, the airline made an attempt to distance itself from its partner, changing its names to BonairExpress and CuraçaoExpress. This move permantently broke up the alliance, causing no more profits to go to the ailing Exel Aviation Group. All Exel airlines disappeared, including fellow Aruba Exel.
After numerous lawsuits, the two airlines, Bonaire Express and Curaçao Express, restructured dramatically, merging into Dutch Antilles Express, which started operations on 30 April 2005 with flights between the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba. On 9 December 2005, its first international services to Valencia, Venezuela, were launched.
After the airline's recunstruction 2 ATR's were sent for a C-Check and received the new color scheme , with a green flyDAE logo (see livery information below). While this was taking place, the airline leased 2 Fokker 50's from Denim Air, which flew the Curaçao-St. Maarten route until the other 2 ATR's return. They also had their other ATR flying with them during this time.
With new services and a revised business plan, the airline is operating profitably again, and re-introduced jet aircraft again, this time in the form of the Fokker 100. After interlining its inter-island connections with KLM's Antillean flights, both airlines seem to strive for a long term alliance in the near future. A KLM executive has in the meantime also joined the airline as CEO to continue the restructuring process.
Dutch Antilles Express uses Aeropack solution developed by Travel Technology Interactive, a European company based in Paris, France.
[edit] Baggage requirements
Recently, DAE announced new luggage requirements. Previously, those carrying scuba equipment were allowed an additional 10 kilograms (22 pounds) for their gear on a checked bag, providing arrangements were made in advance of flights.
Under the new allowance, this extra free allowance is no longer available, and the maximum free baggage allowance for checked bags is now 20 kilograms (44 pounds) total. Overweight fees will vary by destination.[1]
[edit] Livery
On almost everyone of the Dutch Antilles Express aircraft the livery has differences in them.
With the ATR 42-300 (PJ-SLH), the aircraft has the standard flydae.com website on the left side of the aircraft and the phone number +599-7170808 on the right side, but the aircraft does not have the green, blue & yellow DAE logo on the tail section.
With the ATR 42-320 & -500 (PJ-XLM, PJ-XLN), the aircraft has the standard flydae.com website on the left side of the aircraft and the phone number +599-7170808 on the right side and both aircraft have the green, blue & yellow DAE logo on the tail section. Both these ATR's are actually exactly the same when it comes to the livery of the aircraft, the only difference is that PJ-XLM is an ATR 42-320 & PJ-XLN is an ATR 42-500.
With the two Fokker 100's (PJ-DAA, PJ-DAB, they both have the standard flydae.com website on the left side of the aircraft and the phone number +599-7170808 on the right side, but both aircraft have a different lettre type compared to the other one and the ATR's. Both aircraft have the green, blue & yellow DAE logo onthe engines & on the tail section but on -DAA the logo is a slight lighter than that of -DAB which is a bit darker & bigger than that of -DAA.
[edit] Destinations
The airline currently operates flights to:
- Oranjestad, Aruba (Queen Beatrix International Airport)
- Bogotá, Colombia (El Dorado International Airport)
- Kralendijk, Bonaire (Flamingo International Airport)
- Caracas, Venezuela (Simón Bolívar International Airport)
- Willemstad, Curaçao (Hato International Airport)
- Las Américas, Santo Domingo (Las Américas International Airport)
- Philipsburg, St. Maarten (Princess Juliana International Airport)
- Carabobo, Valencia (Arturo Michelena International Airport)
Destinations to be served soon:
- Havana, Cuba (José Martí International Airport)
- Port-au-Prince, Haiti (Toussaint Louverture International Airport)
[edit] Accidents and incidents
- In September 2004, A Dutch Antilles Express (while still under "BonairExel" operations) ATR 42-320, Registration PJ-XLM, had to make an emergency landing due to a small fire that had started in the number 2 engine. The plane was flying to Curaçao when the passengers sitting on the right side of the aircraft noticed that smoke was coming out of the engine. The aircraft landed safely at Hato International Airport and no one was injured. A few weeks later, the ATR aircraft was successfully repaired and is currently still flying with DAE.
- On 18 February 2008 PJ-XLM again had problems with one of its engines and had to land with one engine. No one on board was injured. Other than these incidents, Dutch Antilles Express has never suffered a serious accident.
[edit] Fleet
The Dutch Antilles Express fleet consists of the following aircraft (as of April 2008):
| Aircraft | Total | Passengers |
Registration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATR 42-300 | 1 | 46 | PJ-SLH | Currently undergoing a C-Check |
| ATR 42-320 | 1 | 46 | PJ-XLM | |
| ATR 42-500 | 1 | 46 | PJ-XLN | Currently undergoing a C-Check |
| Fokker 100 | 2 | 100 | PJ-DAA, PJ-DAB | PJ-DAB has recently received a hybrid livery containing only the www.flydae.com logo - similar to that of -DAA- on the fuselage and a white tail section. |
The airline is under considerations to add Fokker 50's to its current fleet. The "Fokker 50s" were once used in the fleet as leased aircraft from Denim Air while the airline was undergoing its re-structuring.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Dutch Antilles Express (DAE) Revises Luggage Allowances The Bonaire Insider. Accessed April 29, 2008
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