From Amgioe today:

New name: BonairExpress 

CURACAO/BONAIRE – Since this week, the business names of the airline company Dutch Eagle Express (DEE) are officially BonairExpress and CuraçaoExpress.   

The name change fits in the process of privatization of the company that was formerly affiliated to the Dutch Exel-aviation group. Recently DEE signed a new lease-agreement for eight years with aircraft constructor ATR for the three ATR-aircraft’s in the fleet.  Before that, DEE was leasing the aircraft’s from AirExel in the Netherlands.  This Exel-daughter is in such trouble that she had to cancel a great deal of her flights.  Due to the fact that the Airline Company established in Bonaire is completely independent, the lease agreement also includes the delivery of aircraft parts.  The lack of this was the cause of regular delays and cancellation of flights in the past months.  By now, the company is flying the Leeward routes and the route Curacao-St.Martin based on the normal schedules.  “BonairExpress and CuracaoExpress will do everything in their power to maintain and improve our on time performance as well as our service”, promised spokeswoman Sharon Bol. 

What will be the website? Hopefully a little easier to make reservations.

I really hope that a ticket issued for Bonaire Excel will be honored by the new carrier, as I have a pair for round trip from Aruba/Bonaire.

Ron, Ditto. But, we have kept in contact with the airline as the names have changed ensuring, at least via phone, that our resvs (for this sunday night) are good. We have no choice but to believe them and relax. We have a 5 hour layover in Aruba. Will probably clear immigration and go into town for dinner and return for our 2100 flight to Bonaire.

... peace ... abe and gail
Concord, NC

We will be spending 5 days on Bonaire - our first visit - prior to an 8 day visit to Aruba (14th visit) and would like to fly from Bonaire to Aruba (one-way) on Sunday April 10th 2005. {We have confirmed reservations from Boston to Bonaire and from Aruba back to Boston using AAdvantge miles).

My questions:
- what is the capacity of the planes generally used by BonaireExel / BonaireExpress for their direct flight from Bonaire to Aruba? And how full do the flights generally get?
- Are advanced reservations required / recommended? If yes, how far in advance?
-Also, Will car rentals be readily available upon our arrival in Bonaire (Tue 8:00 pm) or should we make advance reservations?

Normally the capacity of the ATR's between the islands carries 44 to 50 passengers - Considering the shortage of transportation between the islands since the falling away of the DCA the flights are quite full. Basically the flights go through Curacao - but there are direct flights into Aruba. Considering the shortage of available flights it is recommended to make the necessary reservation to guaranty your flights - It is always safe to reserve you car when making the flight reservation