Air Travel

Air Travel information pertinent to Bonaire

Monday, November 06, 2006

Arkefly’s Inaugural Flight Arrives on Bonaire

This past Saturday, Arkefly’s inaugural flight to Bonaire landed at Flamingo International Airport, beginning weekly flights that will continue throughout the high season.

The inaugural flight created much publicity with diginitaries arriving on the flight which originated from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport.  The weekly flight will accommodate over 200 passengers traveling from Europe.  (Source:  Various Internet sites)

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

New Passport Rules Are Announced for Returning U.S. Citizens Traveling by Air

On September 29, 2006, the U.S. Congress approved an amendment that would delay implementation of new passport requirements included in the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, a law requiring U.S. travelers to have passports in order to re-enter the U.S from anywhere abroad, including Bonaire.

Although the last-minute revision which was inserted into a Homeland Security Dept. appropriations bill delays implementation until June 1, 2009, this revision only applies to requirement for passports for land crossings at the Canadian and Mexican borders and for cruise passengers returning to the U.S. from Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada or Bermuda through the same date. However, all U.S. citizens will require passports for travel by air starting Jan. 8, 2007, as previously proposed.

For additional information, click here.  (Source:  Travel Weekly)

Thursday, September 28, 2006

Flamingo Airport Announces Revised Security Measures for Flights to the United States

Today, Flamingo Airport announced that the security measures for flights to the United States had been revised, following a recent revision of TSA security procedures.

The following restrictions apply to liquids, gels, and/or aerosols at the passenger screening checkpoint for all passengers traveling to the United States and passengers with other destinations departing between 6:00 and 8:30 AM.

No liquids, gels, and/or aerosols are permitted EXCEPT one clear transparent resealable 1 quart (1 liter) sized plastic bag which may contain liquids, gels, and/or aerosols in containers of 3 oz. (90ml) capacity or less per container. The contents of the plastic bag must fit comfortably and the plastic bag must be completely closed/sealed and surrendered for screening separate from your carry-on baggage.

Passengers also may have the items listed below, but they must be declared to security at the screening checkpoint if they are not contained in a clear transparent resealable 1 quart (1 liter) size plastic bag and/or are over 3 oz. (90ml).

-- Baby formula/milk (to include breast milk) and baby food in containers if a baby or small child is traveling
-- Medications (liquid, gels, and/or aerosol)
-- Liquids (to include juice) or gels for diabetic or other medical needs

All other liquids, gels, and/or aerosols may be transported in checked baggage.

Beverages and other items purchased in the secure boarding area may be brought onto the aircraft.  (Source:  Flamingo Airport web site)

Monday, September 25, 2006

Dutch Antilles Express (DAE) Revises Luggage Allowances

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.  For additional information, click here.  (Source:  DAE Web site)

Friday, September 22, 2006

American Airlines Announces Caribbean Fare Sale to Bonaire

American Airlines today announced a special Mexico & The Caribbean Fale Sale from a large number of U.S. cities to many Caribbean destinations, including Bonaire. Base fares in this sale are as low at US$299 from Boston, US$259 from New York’s JFK airport, and US$341 from Los Angeles to Bonaire.

Under this sale, tickets must be purchased at least 7 days prior to travel, but no later than October 11, 2006, and are valid for travel through December 15, 2006. A minimum 2 day stay is required, with a maximum stay of 30 day. More details on this fare sale can be found by clicking here. (Source: American Airlines)

Monday, September 04, 2006

KLM Adjusts Flights to the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba in Response to Market Developments

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines recently announced it will adjust its product and services between Amsterdam and the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba over the coming year in response to changing market conditions. 

Beginning summer 2007, all flights to the Antilles and Aruba will be carried out using MD-11 fleet, which will be radically modernized in the coming months. This will bring the MD-11 product in line with the World Business Class and Economy Class standards already provided on KLM’s new Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 fleet.  The change in equipment is so that the service can be standardized by utilizing a single aircraft type.  Offering an improved product is intended to increase customer satisfaction and improve the flexibility and efficiency of flight operations.

2006/07 winter schedule:  In comparison with last year’s season, relatively little will change in the 2006/07 winter schedule commencing Sunday, October 29. The schedule still features the combined utilization of Boeing 747-400 and MD-11 equipment. Bonaire will retain 12 flights a week.

2007 summer schedule:  In summer 2007, Bonaire will be served by a daily flight: five times a week as a stopover en route to and from Ecuador, and twice a week in combination with Aruba.

For more information about KLM’s flight schedules and conditions visit www.klm.com.  (Source:  M2 Communications Ltd.)

Thursday, August 10, 2006

New Airport Security Procedures in Bonaire

Bonaire’s Flamingo Airport has indicated that it has upgraded its security procedures to be in line with those announced by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States today.

Effective immediately, passengers will be asked to put any gels, liquids, beverages, etc. in their checked bags. Once the secure areas (gift shops behind security) are cleared, passengers will be able to purchase beverages and the such there, but they must be consumed before boarding. Duty free liquor and perfume sales will be affected.

Exceptions for infants/toddlers will be made (breast milk, formula, fruit juice) as well as for liquid prescription medicine in the name of the passenger.

We have also been informed that both KLM and Martinair have also instituted such screening procedures, but only for those flights which are destined for the United States. Flights to non-U.S. destinations fromBonaire are not affected by these procedures at this time. (Sources: TSA Web Site, TSA Update, American Airlines web site, U.K. Department of Transport, BAA (British airport authority))

Note Update August 17, 2006: These security requirements are applicable to U.S.-bound flights. However, if U.S.-bound passengers cannot be segregated from passengers with other destinations, the requirements are applicable to all passengers entering the departure lounge (sterile area). This means that at Flamingo Airport Bonaire, passengers on all flights departing between 6:00 AM and 8:30 AM may not have liquids, gels, or aerosols of any size at the screening area.

U.S.-bound passengers must consume any beverages purchased in the sterile area (departure lounge) before boarding the aircraft. All passengers may purchase duty-free liquids, gels, or aerosols. For U.S.-bound flights, these goods will be delivered to the passenger immediately before boarding.

The requirement to remove passengers’ shoes is no longer applicable.  (Source of Update:  Bonaire International Airport, N.V.)

Monday, August 07, 2006

American Airlines Announces Special Fares to Bonaire

As part of American Airlines’ NetSAAver’s program, which typically offers reduced airfare between city pairs, American Airlines recently started offering significantly reduced fares to Bonaire from all major U.S. cities.

These new fares can be as low as $348.00 from Boston, $371.00 from Chicago, or $424.00 from Los Angeles, and are valid for travel between August 7 and December 13, 2006, and must be booked by August 16, 2006. (Source: American Airlines web site)

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Continental Airlines To Bring New Newark/Bonaire Connection

Continental Airlines today signed a new accord with the Bonaire Island Government to bring a second non-stop flight to Bonaire from Newark, New Jersey. The new non-stop flight begins in mid-December, and joins the weekly non-stop flight Continental started in December 2005 from Houston, Texas.

As with the current Continental flight from Houston, the flight from Newark will be a red-eye flight from the U.S. The flight will initially depart Newark Saturdays at 11:55pm, arriving on Bonaire at 5:40am (one hour time difference). It will depart Bonaire Sundays at 7am, arriving in Newark at 10:45am. With this schedule there should be ample time to make connections going both ways. The first flight will depart Newark’s Liberty Airport (airport code EWR) on Saturday, December 16, 2006. (Sources: Tourism Corporation Bonaire Press Release, Internet research)