AIRPORT:--- The PAIRE project (Partnership for Inter-Regional Air Express services) met its launching seminar in Sint Maarten, grouping on the one hand the Dominica Government and on the other hand the key Caribbean air operators (Winair, Air Antilles Express), which it gathers.
This project is co-financed by the Regional Cooperation Fund (FCR), which promotes economic projects through developing a balanced partnership between Caribbean partners. FCR is managed by the Prefecture of Guadeloupe and is one of the major tools available for all actors from Guadeloupe wishing to participate abroad in the regional cooperation effort.
The PAIRE project aims to list all levers and mechanisms that may be activated to develop innovative and bold solutions for enhancing intra-Caribbean air services within the framework of international and European standards.
First project ever initiated towards an international partnership for intra-Caribbean regional air services, PAIRE seeks for implementing partnership solutions between Caribbean air operators to foster regional cooperation through sustainable and profitable routes.
The objective is to identify levers to open up territories and develop economics thanks to an optimized air transport offer, for the benefit of the whole Caribbean population.
The partners of the project, both territories and air operators, will contribute to the different steps of the study by providing their experience, inputs and data:
- 'Flash' market study of the intra-Caribbean regional air-services;
- Analysis of the air traffic rights frameworks: issues and opportunities;
- Critical review of Public Service Obligations or Delegations (PSOs, PSDs) mechanisms and their perspectives;
- Study of the new EU guidelines on financing of airports and start-up aid to airlines departing from regional airports;
- Proposals.
Through the project PAIRE, pragmatic solutions are sought to 'optimize Carribean air-services and thus promote the regional integration and inter-regional exchanges, whether economic, social or cultural', Serge Tsygalnitzky said, CAIRE CEO (legal entity grouping airlines Air Antilles Express and Air Guyane Express).
'This is a first for intra-Caribbean air transport, for which we are seeking synergies', Michael Cleaver stated, Winair President & CEO. The Dominica Government, which supports the project, welcomed this approach and constitutes a key partner in the project.