Two notes in Amigoe online involve impact on air travel through Aruba. http://www.amigoe.com/english/aru_late_news.htm#No%20money%20for%20airspace%20controlling

One talks again to delays in arrivals and departures because of continuing underfunding of ATC in Aruba and Curacao and the other announces implementation of US-like baggage check procedures for all travel through Aruba to all destinations, with a 3 hour recommended pre-departure time allowance.:

'No money for airspace controlling  

ARUBA – An investment of 16 to 18 million florins is needed for Aruba to control her own airspace and Aruba does not have that kind of money at this moment.  However, minister Eddie Briesen (MEP) of Tourism and transportation is very optimistic about the improvements that Curacao had promised to make soon.   

Minister Briesen is aware of the many delays that departing aircrafts are coping with.  He sincerely regrets this, because a lot of work have been done to optimize the airport, especially the presence of the American customs at the airport of Aruba is very important.  Flights to and from Aruba are considered to be domestic flights and changing planes is easier due to this.  If delays ruin this advantage, then Aruba can loose her position.  Briesen is going to discuss the matter with his colleagues during the ministerial deliberation in February.'

'New baggage rules in effect 

ARUBA – Effective January 1st, 2006, there is a new procedure for checked baggage at the airport of Aruba.  The same procedure that was already in effect for baggage to the United States is now also in effect for all destinations.  All baggage that gets checked in will have to go through the scanner. 

Two huge scanners will be put immediately behind the check-in counter.  These scanners screen all checked-in baggage.  This new procedure is necessary in order to comply with the regulations of the international civil aviation organization (ICAO).  The adaptation of the screening entails a few changes that need to be taken into account.  The maximum allowable measurement of checked luggage is 90x90x90 centimeters and the total weight must not exceed 45 kilo’s.  The luggage must not be moist or must not leak.  After screening, the luggage must be easy to open (unlock) when there are doubts about the contents.  When the luggage does not comply with the above, it must only be sent as cargo.  Luggage that are locked and cannot be opened easily will be forced open at the expense of the owner.   When passengers check-in luggage, for safety reasons they automatically agree with AAA having the right to open the luggage when necessary.  The only difference with passengers going to the US is that their luggage does not have to be checked by customs, because the flight is being considered as domestic.
AAA advices the passengers to make sure they are at the airport three hours before departure, because the new baggage procedure takes more time.  The passengers can check the list of articles that are not allowed to take on board of the plane on the airport’s website www.airportaruba.com under the tag ‘flight information’, ‘inadmissible items’.' 

glen, the post says that the "total weight must not exceed 45 kilos". do you know if that's per bag or per person? if it's per bag, that's a lot of weight...a lot more than bonaire express used to allow...and a lot more than most people would want to drag around in one bag.

I don't know, Pat. I am just the messenger here, passing the article on. As long as the limit seems larger than needed.... :–)

Hi
I'm going to stick my neck out and say it's per person.Forty five kilos is almost exactly 100 lbs. or 50 lbs. per bag, just what several other airlines have recently adopted.
I just can't picture showing up at the gate with 200 LBS. of luggage.
Mick

How does one protect the content of their luggage if locks must be left opened?

Cheryl, I used colored zip ties. After they inspect the bags at LAX, or Bon, I put the colored zip tie on where the lock would go. If the baggage arrives with the zip tie gone, then I know it's been inspected and have more of a "burden of proof" if something is missing. I know that sometimes at LAX I let them know I want to put the zip tie on and usually ask them if "now" is the right time. They let me know. It's worth a try....

They took our locks off our bags at Philadelphia airport (cameras) we usually go Air Jamaica and now the restriction is 50 pounds per bag (2 allowed) per person for check in. We were way over! 80 pounds per bag...(Jake's twik's bars! only kidding Jake!) They let us go without a charge since we were not aware of the change..(we were suprised at this kindness!)

I thought BonareExcel was the only way to get from Aruba to Bonaire - and I just found out its $203PP. Seems high. Is there another airline?

No, there is no other airline which flies that route.
There is a senior fare which is cheaper if you are 60 or older.
The airline is called Dutch Antilles Express now (DAE).
That seems higher than the round trip fare was a few months ago.

Divi Divi Air does fly this route and many others, this could be also an option for those interested,and by the way, Divi always has flown at night time , this is how it always executes its charters to other routes after flying between Bonaire and Curacao during the daytime.

Britten Norman
That doesn't include the islanders of San Juan though, does it?
Mickey

Welcome to BT, Britten!
No, Divi Divi does not fly scheduled flights to Aruba.
And it does not schedule flights to Curacao and back at night.
I live on Bonaire and fly to Aruba a lot. Believe me, if Divi Divi flew to Aruba, that's how I would get there.
Divi Divi is a small family-owned and run operation out of Curacao. They fly 7 and 9-seater planes which do not have lights for night flying.
Perhaps you are thinking of some earlier airline no longer operating or of some instance in which somebody chartered a Divi Divi aircraft for a special flight.

I believe it includes a lot of islanders, Mick, all around the world. I thought that name 'B-N' rang a small bell.

I suspect our friend BN is taking a bit of a flyer here. I hope no one takes his Divi Divi flight 'info' without confirming it. But maybe BN plans to supply Islanders to DD...