Hi all,

I was wondering whether there was any news on Bonairexel. They were supposed to start flying in December. We are currently planning a combined trip to Bonaire and Aruba. With Bonairexel flying we would have more options.

Peter

Yesterday a Federal Judge ordered the Antillean Government to grant BonairExel all necessary permits and licenses to begin operation. The permissions must be granted by 31 January or a NAƒ10.000 per day fine is imposed automatically. The announcement was made by the head of the Bonaire Government, Ramonsito Booi, last evening at the Plaza Resort.
BonairExel will be operated by KLM partner, Dutch airline AirExel using 2 50-passenger jets and 2 54-passenger turboprops. There will be daily jet service to Miami and jet and turboprop servie to other Dutch Caribbean islands and Venezuela. Look for more details in the next issue of the Bonaire Reporter but this "heads-up" is for BonaireTalk readers.
George

Thanks a lot George, that's terrific news!

Does anyone know how we can get in touch with them yet? Any chance for direct flights to/from Miaimi?

Mike, I haven't been able to find anything yet. No website (www.bonairexel.com exists, but it appears to be some travel agency), no information on the site of AirExel (the dutch KLM daughter)... The planes are reportedly ready to go, but when and how is still a mystery, at least to me

Jeez, I go and have the flu for a week, and miss this great news. Disney World here I come (via BonairExel)! :-)

Jake

The flu? Again?? Hey, I thought living on Bon was much more healthy? :-P

That is great news!!! .... this would open up more connections thru Aruba (which many US airline companies operate).

BTW, any news from RAA? The last I saw posted on this site is that they claim they are still planning to start. They tried the same game last year but failed miserably. Bonairexel should have more clout with the government due to the KLM connection

Gregg, I doubt that last bit. KLM is accused (mainly by Curacao) of using BonairExel to try and slowly strangle DCA to death. The other islands are not that eager to help BonairExel see the light of day.

Hey do not underestimate DCA, they are perfectly capable of strangling themselves to death without any help from third parties......
BonaireExel is great news for this island and with the incentive of a Nafl 10,000 fine for every day after 31/1/03 that the permit is not issued I am looking forward to some good connections next year.

Marc...I wish they'd quit squabbling over these issues...I don't think Air Aruba and ALM went belly up due to lack of potential revenue...their costs exceeded their revenues....RAA never was in the game

Personally, I hope DCA and BonairExcel both become viable enterprises. This would deliver more access to Bonair via Cur and/or Aruba .