Z Air completes inaugural flight between Curaçao and St. Maarten
Z Air launched a new route between Curaçao and St. Maarten with three weekly flights, competing with Winair and boosting regional connectivity
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.
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.
Z Air flight schedule between Curaçao and St. Maarten
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.
Tourism Growth in Curaçao
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.
Contando la aviación desde marzo del año 2000. Fundador y Managing Editor de Aviacionline. Base: ROS Origen: RES
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