Air Travel
Air Travel information pertinent to Bonaire
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Bonaire’s Flamingo Airport to Re-Open 24 Hours a Day Starting Friday, July 29, 2011
As of Friday morning, July 29, 2011 at 06:45 LT, and, happily, precisely according to plan, the runway at Bonaire’s Flamingo Airport once again will be available 24 hours each day. At that time, the temporary closings of the airport that have existed for the past six months while the runway was renovated will be canceled.
Although work will continue at the airport in the coming months, it will no longer disrupt arriving or departing flights, and so Bonaire will return to a full load of flights coming in from international destinations as well as regional flights.
Some of the new work just commissioned is in the new west area, being the new turnpad, new runway lights, new approach lights, new runway markings, the new precision approach path indicators, the new Air Traffic Control Tower touch screen interface, and the new wind sock. There will be additional work performed in the coming months, too, but nothing that will interfere with the airport’s arriving and departing flights.
Congratulations go to the airport team assigned to this massive undertaking for getting the job done on time and without accidents or incidents. (Source: Bonaire International Airport/Flamingo Airport)
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Insel Air Extends Introductory Fare Between Charlotte and Curacao to Include Bonaire
Insel Air commenced flying between Curacao and Charlotte, North Carolina on June 22, 2011, with connecting service to Bonaire. To kick off this new service, Insel announced a special low introductory fare, which they have now extended to those travelers going to Bonaire. The round trip fare is $361, including all taxes and the Bonaire airport departure tax. Travel for this special fare must be booked by August 13, 2011 and travel must be completed by December 14, 2011.
The new service operates on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and starting Thursday July 29, 2011, there will be two connections between Bonaire and Charlotte on both Wednesdays and Saturdays. The current flight schedule has flight 7I 914 departing Charlotte at 2:55 PM, arriving in Curacao at 7:10 PM. The connecting flight to Bonaire, which is 7I 301, departs Curacao at 9:30 PM, arriving in Bonaire at 9:55 PM. From Bonaire to Charlotte, flight 7I 302 departs Bonaire at 7:55 AM, arriving in Curacao at 8:20 AM. The connecting flight to Charlotte, which is 7I 913, departs Curacao at 9:10 AM and arrives in Charlotte at 1:25 PM.
Insel Air has an interline agreement with US Airways, which means that those connecting to US Airway flights in Charlotte can get ticketed through to connect to 58 US Airway destinations without extra check-in. The special fare is available at all Insel Air sales offices, travel agents, tour operators and the Insel Air web site. (Source: TCB-NY)
Note Update June 30, 2011: We’ve just been informed that the pricing in the story above was incorrect. The base fare for Curacao-Charlotte and Bonaire-Charlotte are common-rated. However, there is a price difference because the airport tax from Bonaire is included if you travel from Bonaire and there is a fuel charge on the route between Bonaire and Curacao. Therefore, the price including all taxes between Bonaire and Charlotte is $366.70.
Friday, June 24, 2011
American Airlines Announces Airline Sale
Those considering summer or fall travel to Bonaire may want to check out the current American Airlines sale. American Airlines flies daily between Miami and Curacao, where travelers can make connecting flights to Bonaire.
Summer airfares between select US cities are starting at $74 one way and this fare is good for travel between July 12 and November 9, 2011. Fall airfares are starting at $40 one way and travel must occur between August 23 and November 16, 2011. Tickets for both these specials must be purchased by June 23, 2011.
On the international side, airfares between the US and international destinations are starting at $161 one way. Travel for these specials must occur between September 6 and December 5, 2011 and tickets must be purchased by June 30, 2011.
To check out actual fares, visit American Airlines. (Source: American Airlines)
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Insel Air Takes Delivery of Fifth MD Aircraft
Last week, Insel Air took delivery of their fifth MD aircraft, expanding their fleet once again. The new plane has a capacity of 152 seats and is intended for medium-range destinations.
The aircraft is already approved for flights, having its “C-check” before arriving at Insel Air’s headquarters in Curacao. During this check, the entire plane was dismantled and inspected. Accordingly, the plane was immediately put into service with an inaugural flight between Curacao and Aruba.
Over the past several years, Insel Air has been regularly announcing new destinations, including a new flight between Charlotte, North Caroline (USA) and Curacao, which will begin in June (see prior Bonaire Insider story by clicking here). The current fleet consists of five MD-80 aircraft and three smaller propeller aircraft, the Embraer 110 Bandeirante. In addition to the new Charlotte service, Insel Air also flies to Medellin (Colombia), Miami, Puerto Rico, Aruba, Bonaire, Haiti, St. Domingo, St. Maarten, Jamaica, Valencia, Las Piedras, and Surinam. Plans are in the works for a flight to Cuba in the near future.
Insel Air serves Bonaire with daily flights to and from Curacao, as well as weekly non-stop service to and from Miami. (Source: Amigoe)
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Insel Air Announces Introductory Special for Flights between Curacao and Charlotte, North Carolina
Starting June 22, 2011, Insel Air will fly twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays between Curacao and Charlotte, North Carolina, offering connection opportunities to approximately 650 flights per day with their partner US Airways. Insel Air will offer a special introduction price of $337 on the flight, which will apply to all flights booked by June 22, 2011. The special introductory price of $337 is a round trip fare, but does not include Curacao airport tax.
As discussed in a previous story, the flight will depart Charlotte every Wednesday and Saturday at 2:25 PM, arriving in Curacao at 6:40 PM and depart Curacao every Wednesday and Saturday at 9:10 AM, arriving in Charlotte at 1:25 PM. The interline agreement with US Airways also includes a ticketing agreement which means US Airways travelers can get ticketed through on Insel Air and Insel Air travelers can get ticketed through on US Airways, to connect to 58 US Airway destinations without extra check-in, within 2.5 hours after arriving in Charlotte. The new route will also have good connections from Curacao to Bonaire and Valencia, Venezuela.
In addition to the introductory special price, Insel Air will start a Facebook competition, giving away free tickets for the Curacao-Charlotte flight to its fans. To visit their Facebook page, click here. The special fare is available at all Insel Air sales offices and through travel agents and tour operators. Stay tuned to the Insel Air web site where you will soon be able to book online. (Source: Insel Air)
Monday, April 25, 2011
Insel Air to Operate New Jet Service Between Curacao and Charlotte (North Carolina, USA)
Insel Air will be operating a twice weekly new nonstop jet service, effective June 22, 2011, between Curacao and Charlotte, North Carolina on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with further connection options to Bonaire. The new service will be in cooperation with US Airways, offering connections to other US cities, and additional travel options to Bonaire, especially from the East Coast of the US.
Insel Air has acquired a fifth McDonnell Douglas MD 80 enabling them to provide this new service. Insel Air flight 914 flies southbound from Charlotte on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2:25 PM and arrives in Curacao at 6:40 PM and flight 913 flies northbound from Curacao also on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9:10 AM, arriving in Charlotte at 1:25 PM.
The Curacao-Charlotte flights are not yet listed on the Insel Air web site, but can be found on Travelocity and Expedia or by contacting Insel Air directly. Travelers should check with Insel Air for connecting options to Bonaire, taking into consideration the current runway renovation project, which is scheduled through July 2011, as mentioned in a previous story. Travelers may check with US Airways by clicking here for connecting options within the US.
Stay tuned to the Insel Air web site as more information becomes available. Visit Insel Air’s web site by clicking here. (Source: Insel Air)
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Continental Airlines Announces Revised Schedule to Bonaire from Houston (Texas, USA)
Continental Airlines has announced the latest flight schedule for second and third quarters of 2011, between Houston Texas and Bonaire, to reflect seasonal demands.
Currently, the service operates southbound to Bonaire twice a week on Fridays and Saturdays, returning northbound to Houston on Saturdays and Sundays. This service will continue through April 2011.
For the month of May, the service will drop to once a week, flying southbound to Bonaire on Fridays, and northbound to Houston on Saturdays.
During the months of June and July, the service will be offered again twice a week, flying southbound to Bonaire on Fridays and Saturdays and returning northbound to Houston on Saturdays and Sundays.
In August and September, the flight will on be operated once a week, flying southbound to Bonaire on Fridays and returning northbound to Houston on Saturdays. (Source: TCB-NY)
Saturday, April 02, 2011
Revised Schedule for Continental Airlines’ Service to Bonaire from Newark (New Jersey, USA)
The Bonaire Insider has just received notice that Continental Airlines has revised the frequency of their flights from Newark in the United States to Bonaire.
Throughout this month, the Newark-Bonaire southbound flight will continue weekly on Saturdays, returning northbound on Sundays.
Beginning in May, and continuing through August 12, the southbound flight will be weekly on Fridays, returning northbound on Saturdays. As in the past, these flights are seasonal, which means that service is curtailed during the periods of lowest demand, which is August 12 through October 31 this year. In November, the southbound weekly Friday flight will resume, returning northbound on Saturdays.
In February, 2012, there will be two weekly southbound flights on Fridays and Saturdays, returning northbound on Saturdays and Sundays. In January and March of 2012, the southbound weekly Friday flight remains, returning northbound on Saturdays. (Source: TCB-NY)
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
New Baggage Policy Announced for KLM and Martinair Flights
Effective April 1, 2011, there will be a new baggage policy for travelers on all KLM and Martinair flights, including those traveling to Bonaire via Curacao, replacing the policy mentioned in a previous story.
The maximum amount of checked luggage allowed at no charge for an Economy Class ticket is one suitcase of 23 kilos and for a Business Class ticket is two suitcases of 32 kilos. For those traveling in Economy Class who would like to bring a second bag or an overweight bag, a fee of $100 will be charged on flights from Bonaire, Curacao and Aruba to Amsterdam. A 20% discount on the excess baggage fee is available by clicking here or by visiting the KLM website and going to the section titled “Manage My Booking.”
Passengers who are members of Flying Blue Elite and Elite Plus are allowed to bring one extra suitcase of up to 23 kilos when flying Economy Class and one extra suitcase of up to 32 kilos when flying Business Class.
For those traveling with pets, KLM will no longer be able to transport pets in the World Business Class cabin on intercontinental flights due to flight safety regulations. Pets may still be transported in a kennel in a special area of the luggage compartment. For more information, visit the KLM web site by clicking here. (Source: KLM Press Release)
Friday, March 18, 2011
Insel Air and KLM Announce a New Alliance
Effective March 27, 2011, Insel Air and KLM will operate under a new interline agreement, expanding service and destinations for those traveling on both airlines.
Passengers with a KLM flight ticket can now fly to all Insel Air destinations on one ticket with automatic baggage transfer, utilizing Insel Air hubs in Curacao and St. Maarten. The new agreement will streamline connections, save time, reduce connection challenges and expand destination choices for travelers.
Insel Air and KLM have also announced a special agreement for the destinations of Jamaica (Kingston), Puerto Rico (San Juan), the Dominican Republic (Santo Domingo), Haiti (Port au Prince) and Venezuela (Las Piedras), making it more attractive for travelers to visit these destinations.
Furthermore, Insel Air is currently acquiring three Fokker 50 aircraft, which are 50 seat turboprops, to be included in Insel Air’s fleet to increase flight options and capacity. For more information, visit Insel Air’s web site by clicking here. (Source: Insel Air)
