According to the airline's Managing Director the new plane will bring its current fleet to six with the inspection of the aircraft is anticipated by Friday by the Directorate of Civil Aviation.
"We are happy that we have been able to acquire this new plane as it will certainly assist us in boosting our current air travel within the destinations that we go to," Hodge said.
He pointed out that the airline had been operating with five planes noting that it has not been fulfilling the great and consistent demand that the airline has been experiencing with regards to air travel.
Hodge said that the aircraft is a replacement for one of the other aircraft in the ongoing exchange of WINAIR fleet due to the high cycle operation. He pointed out that another aircraft will be added to the fleet in the first week of December which will boost their fleet to seven.
As such, he said that with the acquisition of the nineteen seater Twin Otter, it will create the opportunity for the airline to be more effective and efficient in it's service to the traveling public.
The inspection of the aircraft will see a test flight in our local area so as to verify its ability and approval for flying. "We anticipate that the inspection will go ahead smoothly thus ensuring that we can add this plane to our current fleet," he said.
~inspection may take place on Friday~
Meanwhile, Director of Maintenance, Keeven Duzong said that all systems are in place for the inspection. He stressed that with the airline's reputable record of placing tremendous emphases on safety that the inspection will be incident free. When quizzed as to why the airline which has been operating continuously for the past 47 years has operated incident free, Duzong said that its because each staff sees safety as their primary and number one priority.
"We hold the string view within WINAIR that the planes will only leave the airport once it's completely safe for our mothers to travel on. This is an indication that we only approve a flight once we are firm of the view that our mothers and close family can fly without any incidents," he said.
Hodge who has served the company in the past as Chief Pilot pointed out that with the airline's current twelve destinations systems will be put in place to increase flights to accommodate travelers as they approach the winter season. "As we prepare for the high season which will commence shortly we are putting all systems in place to accommodate the high number of travelers and as such, ensuring that we have enough and adequate flights will certainly boost our efficiency of catering for our travelers is pertinent," he said.
The WINAIR MD added that plans are also afoot for more planes to be added to its fleet as the number of travelers continues to increase. "We are looking at more destinations and also doing more business within the destinations that we currently fly to therefore all attempts will be made to increase our fleet to better serve the flying public and consequently improve the customer experience.
Currently WIINAIR has two Twin Otter and three Islanders in operation bringing its current seat capacity to sixty five sea.
WINAIR Released New Schedule
Managing Director of Windward Islands Airways International N.V. (WIN AIR), Edwin Hodge has announced a new schedule for flights of the airline's twelve destinations.
Hodge pointed out that with the winter season expected to commence shortly he anticipates heavy influx of business for the airline.
He pointed out that in a number of destinations there have been significant flight increases as the airline seeks to better serve its customers during the anticipated busy season.
Hodge disclosed that the new schedule will see a minimum of four flights weekly from Antigua to Montserrat, five flights weekly from St Maarten to Dominica.
He went on to say that from Antigua they would two flights daily operating from Barbuda to Antigua, there would be one flight from Antigua to Dominica, from St Maarten to Antigua they would be two flights daily operated flights while from Antigua to St Maarten they would be seven flights per week.
Regarding flights to St Eutatius and Statia they will be a minimum of thirty five flights per week while flights from St Maarten to St Bart's will see a minimum of twenty eight flights per day while there will be only one daily flight from Antigua to St Bart. Meanwhile from St Maarten to Tortola there would be seventeen flights per week.
Hodge noted that the new schedule aims to facilitate the heavy traffic of passengers between the airline's twelve destinations while enjoying that there are sufficient flights for those wanting to travel.
He promised that in the airline's efforts to improve on its efficiency the airline will continue to seek ways and means in improving on its customer service so as to better serve the traveling public. He added that customers are free to visit the airline's website for further details.
