SIMPSON BAY:--- Due to erosion in the St. Maarten – St. Eustatius – St. Maarten route WINAIR will raise fares slightly between St. Maarten and St. Eustatius. Fares to be charged are NAF. 6 per segment or US$ 3.33 or NAF. 12/ US$ 6.66 per round trip to cover WINAIR's operating costs on this route. WINAIR's traffic between St. Maarten – St. Eustatius – St. Maarten has decreased to 3567 passengers comparing operating years 2012 VS 2013 for the months of January and February traffic has continued to decrease by 126 and 262 passengers in 2014.
These disappointing passenger counts are the result of a finite market in St. Eustatius and are generated by several factors including the postponement of planned terminal expansion in Nu Star in St. Eustatius, reduction of travel by approx. 50% of SVK for medical treatment and the lack of tourist facilities in St. Eustatius to generate replacement traffic.
"WINAIR does not take this decision lightly but in order to maintain 5 daily frequencies to St. Eustatius this modest price increase is necessary". WINAIR has notified Commissioner Carlyle Tear in charge of airport and transportation, as well as our shareholders. The fare increase will take effect April 15, 2014. WINAIR maintains safe and reliable traffic throughout the Caribbean and receives no financial subsidies or support from its shareholders or destination it serves and our mandate from our shareholders remains that WINAIR must be viable and financially sustainable.
