Z Air began operating a new air connection between Curaçao and St. Maarten on Monday, July 14, offering three weekly flights using Embraer 140 aircraft.The inaugural ceremony was attended by local authorities and aviation sector representatives, including Kimberly Lew-Jen-Tai, Minister of Governance, Planning, and Public Service, representing the Government of Curaçao; Rene Winkel, CEO of Z Air; Michael Hoehenberger, COO of Curaçao Airport Partners; and Julian Diaz de Pool, Commercial Manager of Curaçao Airport Holding.As part of the event, a commemorative plaque was presented to the CEO of Z Air, depicting the Queen Emma Bridge and Handelskade at night, a symbolic gesture from the government and tourism and airport entities.<figure class="image"><img src="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2025/07/curacao.jpg" alt="Curaçao"><figcaption>Photo: Curaçao Tourism Board</figcaption></figure>The inaugural flight took off for St. Maarten after receiving the traditional water cannon salute from Curaçao Airport's fire trucks.According to the Government of Curaçao and the island's Hospitality and Tourism Association, increasing flight frequencies is key to strengthening regional connectivity.<h3>Z Air flight schedule between Curaçao and St. Maarten</h3>Flight 7Z 0712 – Departs Curaçao at 8:15 a.m. and arrives in St. Maarten at 10:00 a.m. Flight 7Z 0713 – Departs St. Maarten at 10:45 a.m. and arrives in Curaçao at 12:30 p.m.Operates Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.The airline competes on this route with Winair, which operates up to 12 weekly flights using ATR 42-300 aircraft.In addition to St. Maarten, Z Air also flies to Aruba, Bonaire, Barranquilla, and Medellín. Its fleet includes three Saab 340B, two BN-2 A, one PA-31-350 Chieftain, and one Embraer ERJ 140, with a second Embraer expected to be added soon.<h3>Tourism Growth in Curaçao&nbsp;</h3>Curaçao welcomed 57,412 stayover visitors in June 2025, marking a 15% increase year‑over‑year, with Caribbean arrivals surging by 25%. South America rose by 20%, North America by 15%, and Europe by 8%. Immigration card records show an average stay of 7.7 nights, according to the island’s tourism board.Leading source markets were the United States with 17,119 visitors (+15%)—68% choosing resort hotels and 32% alternative accommodations—followed by the Netherlands with 16,390 (+6%), where 55% opted for non‑resort lodging and a 11.7‑night average stay. Colombia ranked third with 5,770 visitors (+9%), 59% in resort hotels, and a mean stay of 5.4 nights.From January to June 2025, Curaçao received 898,059 total visitors, comprising 399,738 stayover tourists, 24,516 day‑trippers, and 473,805 cruise passengers—a combined growth of 5% compared to last year. Stayover arrivals alone rose by 15%. The tourism board anticipates reaching its year‑end target of 765,000 stayover visitors, according to the agency.

Z Air completes inaugural flight between Curaçao and St. Maarten

As part of a press conference held this Wednesday in Buenos Aires, Dominican airline Arajet announced the launch of a new international route connecting Punta Cana with the Argentine city of Córdoba, further expanding its presence in the country and strengthening its strategy of regional air integration from the Caribbean.During the event, the company’s CEO, Víctor Pacheco, also revealed that a new route to Los Angeles will be announced soon, marking another step forward in its expansion into the U.S. market.The airline has been executing an accelerated growth strategy in the United States, where it already operates regular flights from Santo Domingo to Miami, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and, as of last week, Newark, one of the gateways to the New York metropolitan area. It also plans to launch new connections to Orlando (October 26), Chicago (November 15), and Boston (November 20).With a focus on attracting both outbound tourism and the Dominican diaspora, Arajet has also filed applications to fly to a total of 17 cities in the U.S., including Washington Dulles and Baltimore, although those routes have not yet been scheduled.The addition of Los Angeles will be a key strategic milestone, as it is one of the main gateways from the U.S. West Coast to Latin America and the Caribbean, and home to a large Latin and Dominican population.Arajet currently operates a fleet of Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft and follows a low-cost, continent-wide model, leveraging bilateral agreements such as the open skies treaty between the Dominican Republic and the United States, which facilitates the launch of new cross-border routes.

Arajet Sets Sights on LAX as Its Next U.S. Destination

Volaris Costa Rica, the ultra-low-cost airline, is entering a new phase of expansion in key North American markets with the launch of three direct routes from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José. The new services will connect Costa Rica’s capital with Miami (MIA) and Orlando (MCO) in Florida, and with the new Tulum International Airport (TQO) in Quintana Roo, Mexico.These additions to the airline’s network aim to strengthen connectivity between Costa Rica and high-demand destinations, offering competitive fares to boost tourism and business travel. The airline notes that the new routes will be operated with one of the region’s most modern fleets, comprised of Airbus A320neo aircraft.<h3>Launch Dates and Flight Frequencies</h3>The new flights will begin operations in early July, on a staggered schedule:• Orlando (MCO): Service begins July 1 • Tulum (TQO): First flight on July 2 • Miami (MIA): Operations start July 4Tickets are now available through the airline’s official sales channels. Introductory promotional fares start at USD 79 plus taxes for Miami and Tulum routes, and from USD 89 plus taxes for Orlando.Ronny Rodríguez, Director of Corporate Development at Volaris, expressed the airline’s pride in continuing to strengthen air connectivity between Central America and key destinations in Mexico and the United States. He emphasized that the new routes not only expand options for travelers but also help drive economic and cultural growth in the region.<blockquote>Key Information About the New Routes• What new routes is Volaris Costa Rica launching? Direct flights from San José (SJO) to Miami (MIA), Orlando (MCO), and Tulum (TQO). • When do the flights begin? Orlando on July 1, Tulum on July 2, and Miami on July 4. • Which airlines compete on these routes? In Miami, Volaris competes with American Airlines and Avianca Costa Rica. On the Orlando route, competitors include Spirit Airlines and JetBlue. The Tulum connection is currently exclusive to Volaris Costa Rica.</blockquote><figure class="image image-style-align-center"><img src="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2025/06/volaris_costa_rica.png" alt="volaris costa rica" /></figure>The addition of Miami and Orlando addresses strong historical demand from Costa Rican travelers, as both destinations are popular for leisure, shopping, and business. These services also strengthen commercial and cultural ties between Costa Rica and the state of Florida.Meanwhile, the connection to Tulum represents a strategic move, with Volaris Costa Rica currently the only carrier offering a direct flight between the two cities. This service aims to capitalize on growing tourist interest in the Mexican Caribbean and the new Tulum terminal, creating a direct tourism corridor that benefits both regions.These three new routes expand Volaris Costa Rica’s existing network from San José, which already includes non-stop flights to Mexico City (MEX), Guadalajara (GDL), Cancún (CUN), Guatemala City (GUA), and Los Angeles (LAX).

Volaris Costa Rica Launches Three New Routes to the U.S. and Mexico

Delta Air Lines has announced a new seasonal route connecting Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) with Liberia, Guanacaste (LIR) in Costa Rica, starting December 20, 2025. This addition strengthens the airline’s presence in Central America and responds to growing demand for leisure travel during the North American winter season.The service will operate weekly, every Saturday, using Boeing 737-900ER aircraft. Flight DL 2904 will depart Detroit at 11:50 a.m., arriving at Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport at 4:15 p.m. local time. The return flight, DL 2751, will leave Liberia at 1:35 p.m. and land in Detroit at 7:20 p.m. This will be the only direct connection between the two cities, offering Midwest U.S. travelers a new gateway to Costa Rica’s beaches and natural attractions.Delta currently serves Liberia with regular flights from its main hub in Atlanta (ATL), along with seasonal services from Boston (BOS) and Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP). With the launch of the Detroit route, the airline projects a weekly capacity of over 9,000 seats between the U.S. and Guanacaste during the 2025/2026 winter season, highlighting Costa Rica’s strong tourism appeal.Delta’s winter expansion strategy goes beyond Costa Rica, with new routes to key Caribbean and Mexican vacation destinations. These include services from Atlanta to Grenada (GND) and St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVD), as well as:<ul><li>Raleigh-Durham (RDU) to San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU)</li><li>Boston to St. Thomas (STT)</li><li>Minneapolis/St. Paul to Nassau (NAS), Bahamas</li><li>Detroit to Grand Cayman (GCM)</li></ul>These additions join Delta’s already extensive winter network, which features Cancún (CUN), Montego Bay (MBJ), Providenciales (PLS), Punta Cana (PUJ), Puerto Vallarta (PVR), Los Cabos (SJD), and the newly launched Tulum (TQO).The choice of the Boeing 737-900ER for the Detroit–Liberia route—an aircraft typically seating around 180 passengers in Delta’s configuration—allows the airline to efficiently match capacity to market demand, linking a major hub with one of the region’s most popular leisure destinations.<section class="noteSuggested" data-id="39307" data-title="You might be interested"></section>

Delta Air Lines to launch seasonal Detroit–Liberia, Costa Rica route in December 2025

Frontier Airlines launched its new nonstop route between Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA) in Aruba on Saturday, May 24. The Aruba Airport Authority (AAA) welcomed the inaugural flight, marking a new chapter in the island's air connectivity.This service marks Frontier Airlines’ return to Aruba, following its last operation from Miami in 2021. As previously reported in February, the new Atlanta–Aruba route complements Delta Air Lines’ existing twice-daily service. For travelers in Aruba, this new route provides easier access to multiple U.S. cities, including Cleveland, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and Chicago, via Frontier’s domestic network.The U.S. market continues to show growing interest in Aruba. In 2024, the island’s airport welcomed 1.11 million revenue-generating passengers from the U.S., with 7% of them originating from Atlanta. This trend accelerated in the first quarter of 2025, during which 306,000 U.S. passengers visited Aruba, and Atlanta’s share grew to 9%, underscoring the city’s importance as a key tourism source for the Caribbean destination.<blockquote>Aruba’s Minister of Tourism and Labor, Wendrick Cicilia, who attended the flight’s arrival, stated: “Demand from airlines to fly to Aruba remains very high.” He added: “As a destination, we aim to maintain a strong balance between growth and quality. This new Frontier flight shows that travelers choose Aruba over other regional destinations, and we are proud of that.”</blockquote><blockquote>Josh Flyr, Vice President of Network and Operations Design at Frontier Airlines, shared his excitement: “We are thrilled to launch this service at AUA, offering direct and affordable flights from the U.S. mainland to the beautiful island paradise of Aruba.” He noted that the route is “ideal for both vacationers visiting the island and locals traveling to Atlanta or other cities in our network.”</blockquote>Jo-Anne Arends, Aviation Business Development Executive at AAA, said: “We are proud to welcome Frontier Airlines back to Aruba.” She emphasized that the new service strengthens Aruba’s connectivity with the southeastern United States and beyond, providing greater flexibility for the local community and supporting efforts to expand air service and reach new markets.Beyond benefiting local travelers, the route introduces Aruba to a broader audience of U.S. visitors from the Atlanta area, contributing to the island’s continued tourism growth.Operational Details:• Frequency: Weekly on Saturdays (seasonal, operating through August) • Schedule: ◦ Departure from Atlanta (ATL): 10:13 AM – Arrival in Aruba (AUA): 2:20 PM ◦ Departure from Aruba (AUA): 3:35 PM – Arrival in Atlanta (ATL): 7:55 PM • Aircraft: Airbus A321, with 230-seat capacityThis seasonal service adds 230 weekly seats to the high-demand Atlanta–Aruba market during the island’s peak travel season.

Frontier Airlines Launches Nonstop Flights Between Atlanta and Aruba

LIAT 2020 Limited, the Caribbean airline undergoing relaunch, has announced a new international route to expand its destination network. Beginning July 11, 2025, the carrier will connect V.C. Bird International Airport (ANU) in St. John's, Antigua, with Sangster International Airport (MBJ) in Montego Bay, Jamaica.The airline shared via its official channels that flights between Antigua and Montego Bay will operate three times per week. Specifically, ANU–MBJ services will run on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, while MBJ–ANU return flights are scheduled for Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.The selection of Montego Bay—a major tourism and business hub in Jamaica—highlights LIAT 2020’s focus on both leisure and corporate travel markets, enhancing passenger connectivity between two key English-speaking Caribbean destinations.<section class="noteSuggested" data-id="34022,26514" data-title="You might be interested"></section>This route expansion comes amid a major restructuring effort for the LIAT brand. Following the liquidation of the former LIAT (1974) Ltd., the government of Antigua and Barbuda has backed the establishment of LIAT 2020 Limited. A significant milestone in this process is the strategic partnership with Nigerian carrier Air Peace, which has acquired a majority stake in LIAT 2020. This alliance is expected to provide financial backing and aircraft capacity for the airline’s operations. Previous reports suggest that LIAT 2020 may operate Embraer E145 aircraft under this agreement.The airline is already promoting the new service under the slogan: “New Route Alert! LIAT 20 TAKES OFF to Montego Bay, Jamaica! [...] Book now and let your island adventure begin!”, encouraging travelers to secure their seats on this new travel option.The introduction of this route is a positive development for regional aviation, which has long relied on the services of the former LIAT. LIAT 2020 aims to fill that gap and improve air connectivity, a vital component for the Caribbean's economy and integration. Further details on fares and aircraft type for this route are expected in the coming weeks.&nbsp;

LIAT 2020 Expands Again with New Route Linking Antigua and Montego Bay

Iberojet, part of the Ávoris Corporación Empresarial group, has renewed its exclusive agreement with Palmerola International Airport in Honduras, extending the partnership for an additional three years. The signing took place during an official ceremony at the Spanish Residence in Tegucigalpa, attended by diplomatic, government, and company representatives.Since launching operations in December 2022, Iberojet has maintained a direct connection between Madrid and Palmerola, later adding an additional frequency from Barcelona. The airline currently operates three weekly flights between Spain and Honduras, all serviced by Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The company expects to surpass 131,000 passengers transported by 2025.According to the airline, the service has already carried more than 333,500 passengers, positioning Iberojet as a key player in air connectivity between Europe and Central America.At the event, Mario Domínguez Vázquez, Iberojet’s Commercial Director for Scheduled Flights, stated: "Renewing this agreement is a reaffirmation of our trust in Honduras’ future. Since day one, the market response has been exceptional, and the collaboration with Palmerola Airport has been exemplary."The company also highlighted that the alliance has enabled the expansion of logistical services at the airport, including the addition of a cargo terminal that benefits key export sectors such as textiles and agri-food.According to Iberojet, this renewed agreement marks the beginning of a new phase of consolidation and innovation, aligning with the airline’s internationalization strategy and its goal to strengthen its presence along the Europe–Central America corridor.<section class="noteSuggested" data-id="38491" data-title="You might be interested"></section>

Iberojet renews exclusive agreement with Palmerola Airport in Honduras

Caribbean Airlines has announced the addition of new frequencies on its Trinidad–Miami route, set to begin on June 19. With this update, the airline will offer twice-daily flights on select days of the week, expanding travel options between the Caribbean and the United States.According to the airline, the new outbound flight from Trinidad to Miami will operate on Thursdays and Sundays under flight number BW488, departing at 6:25 p.m. and arriving at 10:30 p.m. This service complements the existing daily flight BW484, which departs at 9:10 a.m. and arrives at 1:15 p.m.In the opposite direction, Miami to Trinidad flights will also see a second frequency on Mondays and Fridays. The added service, BW489, will depart at 12:30 a.m. and arrive at 4:15 a.m., alongside the current daily flight BW483, which leaves at 3:10 p.m. and lands at 6:55 p.m.<section class="noteSuggested" data-id="33183" data-title="You might be interested"></section>All flights are operated using the Boeing 737 MAX 8, featuring 16 Business Class and 166 Economy Class seats.Caribbean Airlines explained that the expansion aims to meet increased travel demand during the July–August vacation season. Garvin Medera, the airline’s CEO, stated, “At Caribbean Airlines, we are always looking for ways to respond to our customers’ needs. When resources allow, we add capacity on popular routes to offer more options and flexibility.” He added, “These additional flights to Miami are part of that commitment, and we’re excited to provide even more travel opportunities.”The airline maintains that Miami remains a key destination for short getaways, shopping trips, and family visits. The new flights are expected to provide added convenience for planning weekend travel.Tickets for these services are available through all Caribbean Airlines sales channels.

Caribbean Airlines increases its flights between Trinidad and Miami

American Airlines has launched regular flights to Norman B. Saunders International Airport (XSC) in South Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands, marking its 42nd airport in the Caribbean. The new route aims to meet growing demand for exotic destinations.The route is operated by Envoy Air, the airline’s regional subsidiary, using 76-seat Embraer 175 aircraft. There are two weekly flights—on Wednesdays and Saturdays—departing from Miami International Airport (MIA), offering a total of 304 seats per week.During the inauguration, Tourism Minister Zhavargo Jolly, a native of South Caicos, emphasized the symbolic value of this direct air service, considering it part of a broader effort for the island’s economic and social revitalization.The launch had originally been scheduled for February but was delayed due to certification processes at the local airport.South Caicos Airport features a 1,824-meter runway and a small terminal. It currently offers flights to Providenciales (PLS) and Grand Turk (JAGS) via interCaribbean and Caicos Express Airways. The terminal is located approximately 2.4 kilometers from Cockburn Harbour, the island’s most populous town.With this addition, South Caicos joins the 41 weekly frequencies American Airlines already operates in Providenciales, connecting to cities such as Charlotte (CLT), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Philadelphia (PHL), and Miami, as well as seasonal routes to Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), and New York (JFK). These operations use Airbus A321, A321neo, Boeing 737-800, and Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.<h3>American Airlines in the Caribbean</h3>American Airlines has the largest network of routes in the Caribbean among U.S. carriers, operating in 42 destinations, according to Cirium. Its passenger profile includes a mix of U.S. tourists and Caribbean residents with ties to the United States.Given that several Caribbean airports have infrastructure limitations for aircraft like the Boeing 737 and A319, the airline has increased the use of regional jets such as the Embraer 175, which is adapted for shorter runways. Envoy Air, which operates this fleet, has 125 E175s and 43 E170s, with Miami serving as the fourth-largest base for this aircraft type.<figure class="image"><img src="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2025/03/red_de_destinos_de_american_airlines_en_el_caribe.png" alt="Red de destinos de American Airlines en el Caribe" /></figure>According to Cirium, 60.8% of American Airlines' Caribbean flights depart from Miami, followed by Charlotte (18%) and Dallas/Fort Worth (6.8%). Puerto Rico and Haiti are not currently listed, the latter due to a temporary suspension of its routes.• Anguilla: The Valley (AXA) • Antigua &amp; Barbuda: Saint John (ANU) • Aruba: Oranjestad (AUA) • Bahamas: Freeport (FPO), George Town (GGT), Governor's Harbour (GHB), Marsh Harbour (MHH), Nassau (NAS), and North Eleuthera (ELH) • Barbados: Bridgetown (BGI) • Bermuda (BDA) • Bonaire: Kralendijk (BON) • Cuba: Camagüey (CMW), Holguín (HOG), Havana (HAV), Santa Clara (SNU), Santiago de Cuba (SCU), and Varadero • Curaçao: Willemstad (CUR) • Dominica: Roseau (DOM) • Grenada: St. George (GND) • Guadeloupe: Point-à-Pitre (PTP) • Cayman Islands: Grand Cayman (GCM) • Turks and Caicos Islands: Providenciales (PLS) and South Caicos (XSC) • British Virgin Islands: Tortola (EIS) • U.S. Virgin Islands: St. Thomas (STT) and Saint Croix (STX) • Jamaica: Kingston (KIN), Montego Bay (MBJ), and Ocho Rios (OCJ) • Martinique: Fort-de-France (FDF) • Dominican Republic: La Romana (LRM), Puerto Plata (POP), Punta Cana (PUJ), Santiago de los Caballeros (STI), and Santo Domingo/Las Américas (SDQ) • St. Maarten: Philipsburg (SXM) • Saint Kitts and Nevis: Basseterre (SKB) • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Kingstown (SVD) • Saint Lucia: Vieux Fort (UVF) • Trinidad and Tobago: Port of Spain (POS)New destinations like Tobago and Barbuda may be added in the future, as both airports have undergone infrastructure expansions aimed at attracting new airlines.

American Airlines adds its 42nd destination in the Caribbean

Spirit Airlines has announced a new direct flight between New Orleans and Tegucigalpa, operating twice a week. This will be the airline’s second route to the Honduran capital, complementing its existing service from Fort Lauderdale.With this addition, New Orleans becomes the fifth U.S. city with direct flights to Tegucigalpa, joining routes operated by:<ul><li>United Airlines (from Houston-Intercontinental)</li><li>American Airlines (from Dallas/Fort Worth and Miami)</li><li>Spirit Airlines (from Fort Lauderdale)</li></ul><h3>Flight Schedule: New Orleans (MSY) – Tegucigalpa (XPL)</h3>Launch Date: May 8, 2025<ul><li>Flight NK 747: MSY 09:30 AM – XPL 11:00 AM (Thursdays and Sundays)</li><li>Flight NK 748: XPL 12:10 PM – MSY 03:50 PM (Thursdays and Sundays)</li></ul>The service will be operated with Airbus A320 aircraft, featuring 176 seats. Fares start at $119 per one-way trip.

Spirit Airlines to Launch Direct Flights Between New Orleans and Tegucigalpa

JetBlue is expanding its Central American connectivity with the launch of a nonstop service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and San Pedro Sula (SAP), Honduras. According to the National Airport Service (SAN), JetBlue will become the fifth U.S. airline and the seventh overall to operate flights between Honduras and the United States.<h3>Flight Schedule: New York (JFK) – San Pedro Sula (SAP)</h3><ul><li>Service launch: June 12, 2025</li><li>Schedule:<ul><li>JFK 19:29 – SAP 22:20 (daily flights)</li><li>SAP 23:26 – JFK 05:59 (daily flights)</li></ul></li><li>Aircraft: Airbus A320 with 156 seats</li></ul>This new route aims to serve VFR travelers (visiting friends and relatives) and boost tourism in Honduras.<h3>Incentives for JetBlue’s Operation in Honduras</h3>To support JetBlue’s entry into the Honduran market, the airline will receive a $150,000 marketing incentive for the first six months of operation. Additionally, for two years, JetBlue will be exempt from various airport service fees, including jet bridge usage, runway lighting, and nighttime operations."We are extremely pleased with JetBlue’s confirmation, as it expands air travel options to Honduras from a key destination and will contribute to the local economy while strengthening connections with the Honduran community in New York," said Ricardo Martínez, Executive Secretary of SAN.<h3>Airlines Operating Between San Pedro Sula and the U.S.</h3><h4>American Airlines</h4><ul><li>Miami: Daily flights</li></ul><h4>Avianca</h4><ul><li>New York-JFK: Three weekly flights (seasonal route)</li></ul><h4>Delta Air Lines</h4><ul><li>Atlanta: Daily flights</li></ul><h4>Spirit Airlines</h4><ul><li>Fort Lauderdale: Daily flights</li><li>Houston-Intercontinental: Daily flights</li><li>Orlando: Four weekly flights</li><li>New Orleans: Three weekly flights</li></ul><h4>United Airlines</h4><ul><li>Houston-Intercontinental: Daily flights</li><li>Newark: One weekly flight (seasonal route)</li></ul><section class="noteSuggested" data-id="35711" data-title="You might be interested"></section>

JetBlue Begins Selling Tickets for Flights to Honduras

<a href="https://www.aircaraibes.com">Air Caraïbes</a>, the airline of the groupe Dubreuil, received its fourth Airbus A350-1000, consolidating its widebody fleet. The delivery took place at Airbus facilities in Toulouse (TLS). The aircraft subsequently performed a ferry flight to Paris/Orly (ORY), where it will be deployed on its two highest-demand routes: Pointe-à-Pitre (PTP), Fort-de-France (FDF), and occasionally to Punta Cana (PUJ).
Like the rest of its A350-1000s, the aircraft registered as F-HAJP is configured with 24 seats in business class (Madras), 45 in premium economy (Caraïbes), and 360 in economy (Soleil), totaling 429 seats. The Caribbean airline&#8217;s widebody fleet consists of two A330-300s, three A350-900s, and four A350-1000s, all based at Orly to connect with the French Caribbean.
<img src="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/A35K-TX.jpeg" alt="" />
<h3>Air Caraïbes routes operated with widebody aircraft</h3>
The airline connects eight destinations from the Paris airport:
<ul>
<li>Cancún (CUN), 3 weekly flights.</li>
<li>Cayenne (CAY), between 4-7 weekly flights.</li>
<li>Fort-de-France (FDF), between 7-14 weekly flights.</li>
<li>Pointe-à-Pitre (PTP), between 7-18 weekly flights.</li>
<li>Port-au-Prince (PAP), 1 weekly flight.</li>
<li>Punta Cana (PUJ), 2-7 weekly flights.</li>
<li>Santo Domingo/Las Américas (SDQ), 1 weekly flight.</li>
<li>San Salvador (ZSA), Bahamas, 1 weekly flight.</li>
</ul>
Additionally, the airline complements <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/11/air-caraibes-recibio-un-nuevo-atr-72-600/">these routes with its four ATR 72-600s</a>, connecting destinations such as St. Barthelemy (SBH), San Martin (SFG), and other islands within Martinique and Guadeloupe.

Air Caraïbes receives fourth Airbus A350-1000 to strengthen its widebody fleet

<a href="https://www.flyliat20.com/">LIAT 2020</a>, the new version of the airline, continues expanding after its return, adding new routes in the Caribbean and recovering destinations from the defunct LIAT (1974) Ltd.
On November 19, it arrived in South America with flights to Georgetown (GEO), Guyana, and on November 29 to Tortola (EIS) in the British Virgin Islands. On December 19 and 20, it will fly to Port of Spain (POS), Trinidad and Tobago, and Kingston (KIN), Jamaica, respectively.
LIAT 2020 started flying in April 2024, with a 70% stake by the Nigerian airline Air Peace and the remaining 30% in the hands of the Antigua &amp; Barbuda government. The African airline has invested around USD 65 million in LIAT, while the Caribbean country contributed USD 20 million.
The airline stands out for offering a full onboard service, with snacks and drinks served free of charge, which is uncommon on regional flights.
<h4>More aircraft for LIAT</h4>
LIAT 2020 began operations with two Embraer ERJ 145LR (5N-BVD and 5N-BXG), which were part of the regional fleet of Air Peace. In November, it added its third ERJ 145 (5N-BUV), and next week it will add three ATR 42-600 from the former LIAT.
The Antigua and Barbuda government emphasized that it would pay US$12.1 million into an escrow account for the acquisition of other aircraft owned by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), based in Barbados.
Among the company&#8217;s ambitious plans is to expand to the United States, with a Boeing 737-500 scheduled to operate to Miami (MIA). The Antigua and Barbuda government seeks to negotiate open skies and update an Air Services Agreement (ASA) to allow operations in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the U.S. mainland.
<img src="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/liat.jpg" alt="" />
<h4>Routes and destinations for January 2025</h4>
Currently, LIAT 2020 connects twelve Caribbean destinations such as Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, British Virgin Islands, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Maarten, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts &amp; Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago. It also plans to expand to Barbuda and Santo Domingo/Las Américas (SDQ).
<ul>
<li>From Antigua &amp; Barbuda
<ul>
<li>Barbados (BGI), 2 weekly flights.</li>
<li>Dominica (DOM), 3 weekly flights.</li>
<li>Georgetown (GEO), Guyana; 2 weekly flights.</li>
<li>Kingston (KIN), Jamaica; one weekly flight, (starts December 20).</li>
<li>Port of Spain (POS), Trinidad and Tobago; one weekly flight, (starts December 19).</li>
<li>Basseterre (SKB), Saint Kitts and Nevis; one weekly flight.</li>
<li>Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVD), 3 weekly flights.</li>
<li>St. Maarten (SXM), 2 weekly flights.</li>
<li>Saint Lucia (SLU), 2 weekly flights.</li>
<li>Tortola (EIS), British Virgin Islands; 2 weekly flights.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div id='gallery-2' class='gallery galleryid-347336 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-full'><figure class="gallery-item wpgallery"><img src="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/Flightmap-SLU-GND-BGI-DOM-SLU-GEO-BGI-SLU_SLU-SVD-BGI_DOM-SVD-GND_EIS-SVD_EIS-SKB-SXM-EIS.png" alt="" /></figure><figure class="gallery-item wpgallery"><img src="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/Flightmap-EIS-ANU-POS-DOM-ANU-BGI_GEO-ANU-KIN_POS-ANU-SKB_SVD-ANU-SXM_SLU-ANU.png" alt="" /></figure>
		</div>

<ul>
<li>From Barbados:
<ul>
<li>Dominica, between one and two weekly flights.</li>
<li>Grenada (GND), one weekly flight.</li>
<li>Georgetown, Guyana; 3 weekly flights.</li>
<li>Saint Lucia, one weekly flight.</li>
<li>Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, between one and two weekly flights.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>From Saint Lucia
<ul>
<li>Grenada, one weekly flight.</li>
<li>Dominica, one weekly flight.</li>
<li>Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, one weekly flight.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>From Saint Vincent and the Grenadines:
<ul>
<li>Dominica, one weekly flight.</li>
<li>Grenada, between one and two weekly flights.</li>
<li>Tortola, one weekly flight.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>From Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis:
<ul>
<li>St. Maarten, one weekly flight.</li>
<li>Tortola, British Virgin Islands; 1 weekly flight.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>From St. Maarten
<ul>
<li>Tortola, one weekly flight.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
«`

LIAT 2020 Launches South American Routes and Expands Fleet with ATR and ERJ Aircraft

<a href="https://www.flyzair.com/">Z Air</a>, based in Curaçao, will receive it&#8217;s first Embraer ERJ 145, aiming to operate on the most distant destinations in its network and add new routes in the future. A second ERJ is currently undergoing maintenance and painting. In July 2024, the company announced that it would add two Embraer ERJ 140s and open a connection to Medellín/Rionegro (MDE) and St. Marteen (SXM). The current fleet of three Saab 340Bs will focus on the Dutch Caribbean (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao) and Barranquilla (BAQ), Colombia.
This decision came after the cessation of operations of Jetair Caribbean in June 2024, which stopped flying to Jamaica, St. Maarten, Colombia, and Suriname. The ERJ 140, with a capacity for 44 passengers and a range of 3,044 kilometers, will allow Z Air to access the destinations of the defunct airline, such as Jamaica, Haiti, and St. Maarten.
<img src="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/Z-Air.jpeg" alt="" />
«Exciting times await us as our first Embraer 140 is nearing completion and is being prepared to join Z Air&#8217;s fleet! This marks a significant milestone as we prepare to enhance connectivity and service from the ABC islands to the broader region,” the company noted on LinkedIn.
The ERJs will also allow the replacement of the Saab 340Bs, enabling an increase in flights within the Dutch Caribbean after the reduction of airport fees from USD 36 to USD 15, which is expected to boost demand that the current fleet cannot sustain.
<h4>The current state of Z Air</h4>
Z Air has been modernizing its fleet. In 2021, it acquired three Saab 340B aircraft with a capacity for 34 passengers, used for regular and charter operations in the Caribbean, South America, and Central America. Additionally, it operates two Learjets for air ambulance services.
Currently, Z Air operates flights to Aruba (AUA), Bonaire (BON), Curaçao (CUR), Medellín/Rionegro (MDE), and Barranquilla (BAQ), Colombia, with the following frequencies:
<ul>
<li>From Curaçao:
<ul>
<li>Aruba: 8-15 flights per week</li>
<li>Barranquilla: one flight per week</li>
<li>Bonaire: 24 flights per week</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>From Bonaire:
<ul>
<li>Barranquilla: one flight per week</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>From Aruba:
<ul>
<li>Bonaire: 3 flights per week</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>

From Saab to Embraer: Z Air’s Fleet Modernization and Route Expansion Plans

<a href="https://www.aerolineas.com.ar/">Aerolíneas Argentinas</a> will maintain its new routes from Tucumán (TUC) and Rosario (ROS) to Punta Cana (PUJ), Dominican Republic, throughout the year. The update was observed in the reservation system, along with frequency increases from Córdoba to the Caribbean.
The new schedule will provide ten weekly flights between Punta Cana and Argentina year-round, not including additional frequencies during the summer season.
The route from Córdoba was inaugurated on September 13 with two weekly flights, which will increase to four per week from January to March 2025. However, starting in April, it will reduce to three weekly flights instead of two. All operations will use Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft configured for 170 passengers.
On the other hand, Rosario and Tucumán to Punta Cana will begin on January 3 and 5, 2025, respectively, and were initially planned to run until March 2025. However, the new schedule reveals they will operate year-round with one weekly flight on a Boeing 737 MAX 8.
According to the Cirium platform, in 2025 Aerolíneas Argentinas is expected to offer 245,140 seats to Punta Cana, representing a 92.5% increase compared to 2024.
<img src="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/Flightmap-TUC-PUJ-COR-ROS-PUJ-EZE.png" alt="" />
<h4>Flight schedule for Aerolíneas Argentinas to Punta Cana in 2025</h4>
Córdoba-Punta Cana, with an annual offer of 57,460 seats.
<ul>
<li>Flight AR 1326 COR 14:45 &#8211; 21:35 PUJ / Monday, Thursday, and Saturday (year-round).</li>
<li>Flight AR 1326 COR 14:30 &#8211; 21:20 PUJ / Wednesday (from January 1 to March 26).</li>
<li>Flight AR 1327 PUJ 22:50 &#8211; 07:45 (+1) COR / Monday, Thursday, and Saturday (year-round).</li>
<li>Flight AR 1327 PUJ 22:35 &#8211; 07:30 (+1) COR / Wednesday (from January 1 to March 26).</li>
</ul>
Rosario &#8211; Punta Cana, with an offer of 17,680 seats in 2025.
<ul>
<li>Flight AR 1348 TUC 15:10 &#8211; 22:20 / Friday.</li>
<li>Flight AR 1349 PUJ 23:35 &#8211; 08:45 (+1) / Friday.</li>
</ul>
Tucumán &#8211; Punta Cana, with an offer of 17,680 seats in 2025.
<ul>
<li>Flight AR TUC 16:15 &#8211; 22:30 PUJ / Sunday.</li>
<li>Flight AR PUJ 23:45 &#8211; 08:15 (+1) TUC / Sunday.</li>
</ul>
Buenos Aires/Ezeiza &#8211; Punta Cana, offering 152,320 seats in 2025 with Airbus A330-200.
<ul>
<li>Flight AR 1324 EZE 02:00 &#8211; 09:00 PUJ / Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday (year-round).</li>
<li>Flight AR 1324 EZE 02:00 &#8211; 09:00 PUJ / Friday and Sunday (January to March).</li>
<li>Flight AR 1325 PUJ 11:00 &#8211; 19:55 EZE / Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday (year-round).</li>
<li>Flight AR 1325 PUJ 11:00 &#8211; 19:55 EZE / Friday and Sunday (January to March).</li>
</ul>
According to the National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC), as of 2024, Aerolíneas Argentinas has transported 81,741 passengers to Punta Cana, with an occupancy rate of 94% from Buenos Aires and 70% from Córdoba.
According to the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism, between January and October 2024, the Caribbean country received 191,068 Argentine tourists, 27% of whom traveled on connecting flights with airlines such as Copa, Avianca, SKY, or LATAM.

New Year-Round Flights from Tucumán and Rosario to Punta Cana by Aerolíneas Argentinas

International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned about the deterioration of the runway at the Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia, Guanacaste, urging the Costa Rican government «to promptly reactivate the rehabilitation project previously underway, as well as a short-, medium-, and long-term maintenance plan to ensure its proper functionality.»
Given that Liberia Airport is a key entry point for international travelers visiting Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, operational disruptions could negatively impact the local economy.
IATA points out that the runway&#8217;s deterioration has worsened over the past year, an issue the industry has repeatedly highlighted, partly due to heavy rains and delays in the previously planned rehabilitation work. The suspension of the works has not only complicated airline planning but also caused disruptions during the high season, when thousands of tourists, mainly from the United States and Canada, visit the region.
The association, representing over 300 airlines worldwide, also mentioned issues stemming from the sudden closure of the airport and its subsequent reopening. According to the organization, this decision led to flight diversions and cancellations, affecting scheduled itineraries and inconveniencing passengers.
«IATA reiterates its willingness to collaborate and establish an open communication channel with authorities to ensure that operations at the airport can be conducted safely, efficiently, and smoothly,» it concluded.
The network of international flights to Guanacaste includes the following routes:
<ul>
<li>American Airlines: Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, New York/JFK, Miami, and Chicago O&#8217;Hare</li>
<li>Air Canada: Montreal and Toronto</li>
<li>Alaska Airlines: Los Angeles, Seattle, and San Francisco</li>
<li>JetBlue: Boston and New York/JFK</li>
<li>TUI: London/Gatwick</li>
<li>Southwest Airlines: Baltimore, Denver, and Houston/Hobby</li>
<li>WestJet: Calgary and Toronto</li>
<li>Delta Air Lines: Atlanta, Boston, and Minneapolis</li>
<li>Sun Country Airlines: Minneapolis</li>
<li>Air Transat: Montreal and Toronto</li>
<li>United Airlines: Denver, Newark, Los Angeles, Chicago O&#8217;Hare, and San Francisco</li>
<li>Sunwing: Montreal and Toronto</li>
<li>Edelweiss Air: Zurich</li>
</ul>
In 2023, the Guanacaste Airport, managed under concession by <a href="https://www.vinci-airports.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VINCI Airports</a>, handled 1.65 million passengers and recorded 18,386 aircraft movements.

Runway Issues at Guanacaste Airport: IATA Urges Costa Rica to Take Action

<a href="https://www.aircaraibes.com/">Air Caraïbes</a> received its fourth ATR 72-600, registered as F-OSIL, at the manufacturer’s facility in Toulouse/Blagnac (TLS), which will allow the airline to strengthen its presence in the French Caribbean.
F-OSIL is currently in Praia (RAI), Sal Island, on its delivery flight, after departing from Toulouse and making a stop in Gran Canaria (LPA). It will subsequently make stops in Fortaleza (FOR) and Cayenne (CAY) before arriving in Martinique.
The airline operates with four ATR 72-600 (F-OSIL, F-OSIT, F-OSIV, and F-OSIX), and the last time it received a turboprop was in December 2019. The aircraft primarily operate from Fort-de-France (FDF), Martinique, connecting with Saint Martin (SFG) and Pointe-à-Pitre (PTP), Guadeloupe, with 4 to 9 flights per day depending on the season.
«A proud moment for us today with the delivery of our new ATR 72-600 in Toulouse! This is a significant step forward for our regional fleet and our commitment to offering increasingly efficient and innovative services to our passengers,» stated Air Caraïbes on its LinkedIn account.
<img src="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/1732317350493.jpeg" alt="" />
<h4>Air Caraïbes&#8217; fleet and destinations</h4>
<a href="https://aviacionline.com/tag/air-caraibes/">Air Caraïbes</a> meets the demand between France and the French Caribbean with wide-body aircraft. According to the Cirium platform, the airline scheduled 1,969,788 seats across its network of destinations in 2024.
In addition to the ATRs, its fleet consists of one Airbus A330-200, two A330-300s, three A350-900s, and three A350-1000s, with one additional A350-1000 pending delivery. These aircraft are based at Paris Orly (ORY) and operate to:
<ul>
<li>Fort-de-France, 7 to 14 weekly flights.</li>
<li>Pointe-à-Pitre, 7 to 18 weekly flights.</li>
<li>Cayenne (CAY), French Guiana, 4 weekly flights.</li>
<li>Cancún (CUN), Mexico, 3 weekly flights.</li>
<li>Punta Cana (PUJ), Dominican Republic, 3 to 7 weekly flights.</li>
<li>San Salvador (ZSA), Bahamas, 1 weekly flight.</li>
<li>Santo Domingo/Las Américas, Dominican Republic, 1 weekly flight.</li>
</ul>
Frequencies vary by season.
Its main competitors between Guadeloupe, Martinique, and France are Air France and Corsair, although Air Caraïbes is the leading airline with a market share of 33.3% in terms of available seat-kilometers (ASK). Meanwhile, in the French Caribbean, it competes with Air Antilles, which recently resumed operations.

Air Caraïbes Bolsters Operations with New ATR 72-600 Addition

The Dominican airline <a href="https://aircentury.com/">Air Century</a>, founded in 1992 and based in Santo Domingo, has appointed Héctor Hernández as its new Commercial Director, marking a significant step in its strategy for expansion and strengthening in both current and potential markets.
This announcement comes at a key moment for the company, which aims to consolidate its presence in the charter and scheduled flight segment in the Caribbean. Hernández, with over 20 years of experience in the tourism industry, is recognized for his ability to develop competitive commercial strategies and lead teams in challenging environments.
According to Carlos Jiménez, Executive Vice President of Air Century, the new Commercial Director will bring a focus on innovation, customer satisfaction, and exceptional service in the industry. “The focus of his management will be aimed at enhancing our connectivity and strategic presence in current and potential markets, with a firm commitment to excellence and sustainable growth,” Jiménez stated.
Hernández’s appointment coincides with the recent presentation of the new <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/11/el-nuevo-gulfstream-iv-sp-de-air-century-fue-presentado-en-la-world-travel-expo/">Gulfstream IV-SP during the World Travel Expo (WTE)</a> in Miami Beach, a key event where the airline showcased its fleet of aircraft intended for the private and group travel market.
Air Century’s participation in such international events aims to attract new customers and establish strategic alliances to strengthen its charter flight division. The airline has a diverse fleet that includes, in addition to the Gulfstream IV-SP, aircraft such as the CRJ200, with a capacity for 50 passengers, and models like the Jetstream 31 and Cessna Citation VII, ideal for various needs ranging from corporate travel to transporting sports teams.
It also offers private catering services tailored to the preferences of its clients, highlighting its focus on personalized service. “Our goal is to attract new customers, highlight the features of our Gulfstream GIV, and establish ourselves as leaders in private flights in the Caribbean,” commented Farah Kasse, Commercial Agent for the charter division.
<h4>Operations and future vision</h4>
Air Century operates scheduled flights from La Isabela and Punta Cana airports to key destinations in the Caribbean, such as Havana, Santiago de Cuba, Sint Maarten, Aruba, and Curacao. These routes complement its charter flight offerings, which have experienced steady growth in recent years.
The leadership of Héctor Hernández, combined with the diversification of its fleet and active participation in international events like the WTE, positions Air Century to face the challenges of the sector and continue expanding its reach in the charter and scheduled flight markets.

Central America and Caribbean