By Jan Klos on Sunday, February 24, 2002 - 11:57 am: |
After reading the most recent issue of the Bonaire Reporter regarding the continued improvements to Flamingo Airport to accomodate the KLM Amsterdam/Equator flights as well as other jumbo jets--- the plans to build a fueling facility at Donkey Beach--- I have a few questions and concerns.
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By Jake Richter - NetTech on Sunday, February 24, 2002 - 12:06 pm: |
Jan,
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By Daren Daniels on Wednesday, February 27, 2002 - 10:01 pm: |
I am curious what the point of enlarging the airport if the only addition is the KLM flight to Ecuador. I really wish that there was direct service from somewhere else in the US besides Miami, like there is to Aruba. You can leave from almost any large city in the US with a nonstop flight to Aruba. I wish the same could be for Bonaire. Then the new addition would be put to good use. I think American Airline used to have a nonstop flight from New York back in 1987, so my parents say.
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By michael gaynor on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 7:40 am: |
The point is where do you put up to 300 transit passengers on the flights to and from Quito. We have no transit lounge at present and to clear folks trough customs and immigration for a two hour refueling stop would be unwise at best. The new addition is the first step in becoming a hub for SA and should be a great selling point for attracting other major carriers. It may have been Eastern Airines back in the old days. Now I am curious. Also, Pan AM used to fly lots of Caribbean routes
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By Jan Klos on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 8:54 am: |
Does it make sense to built another ugly dock on a beautiful beach. Couldn't something have been worked out with Cargil. It seems a shame to ruin such a beautiful beach! Especially since there is such a lack of them.
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By Daren Daniels on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 10:21 am: |
That's right! Windsock is the only nice beach on the island, except for Pink Beach before the hurricane. My parents said that it was American Airlines that flew direct from New York to Bonaire, but the service only lasted for a short period of time. American, Continental, and Delta would probably be the first ones to start service...if ever! Many people who come to Bonaire say that it is such a hastle just getting there. I am happy that American Eagle began service from San Juan, but who wants to fly for 2 hours in a turboprop when they can take a jet on Air Jamaica from Montego Bay.
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By Glen Reem on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 11:51 am: |
Don't forget what comes with all that easy access to the island. Most everyone here on BT seems to love Bonaire as it was: small, lazy, quiet and laid back. The easier the access, the more people come (not just divers), the economy booms and, presto, Aruba or St. Maarten. As the old saying goes, 'Be careful what you wish for, you may get it'.
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By michael gaynor on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 4:18 pm: |
As far as the plan goes, it is not going to be a dock but a fuel mooring and should be quite unobtrusive. Glen your point is well taken and there is room for progress and SUSTAINED growth. The folks in Bonaire have been dealt a bad hand when it comes to a good economy and if the play their cards right, this could be a great benefit. As for more US carriers it wont happen until we get more hotel rooms and it seems to have been shriniing in the past two years.
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By Glen Reem on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 6:38 pm: |
Fingers crossed, Michael.
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By Daren Daniels on Friday, March 1, 2002 - 1:21 pm: |
You make a very good point about "Be careful what you wish for." I love Bonaire the way it is! I question why KLM needs to stop in Bonaire anyway? Can't a 747-400 make it nonstop from LA to Sydney? Then it isn't any farther from Amsterdam to Quito. What I don't like is ALM's monopoly over certain air routes to and from Bonaire.
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By Jan Klos on Friday, March 1, 2002 - 7:38 pm: |
Unobtrusive, I have no idea what the plans are, but how unobtrusive will it be looking at an oil barge right off the coast, next to one of the nicest natural beaches that has easy access. And what about the Plaza or Port Bonaire-- what a nice oceanview they will have. Just don't understand why something couldn't have been worked out to put a refueling area somwhere else. The environmental impact as well as the beauty of the area are concerns. How will this affect diving and snorkeling in the area? Does the government have blinders on. They think that this will boom the islands economy by bringing in a jumbo jet, having the passengers sit in an transit terminal - reboard and take off. I have seen first hand how the passengers of this plane walk in circles for an hour or two when they have refueled in Curacao. And building a golf course would harm the environment more. Not so sure.
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By michael gaynor on Saturday, March 2, 2002 - 2:46 pm: |
Please give the folks here some credit for wanting to make things a bit better for the people. I am a foreigner living here with the permission of the government. It is their island and too many outsiders, from Holland included, tend to make it tough for the locals to govern. The native population love this island just as much if not more than the occasional visitor who does not want any changes. The two daily flights from KLM will have a direct effect on jobs and also increasing our European arrivals. Give them a chance...you will not have to see fuel barges, etc parked by the beach. The location is strategic and cost effective. Let's reserve critiism until all the facts are in and the operation has a chance to prove itself. Where would the US and Europe be if there were no pipelines, refineries, power plants, etc.?
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By mimi greenberg on Saturday, March 2, 2002 - 4:24 pm: |
michael - Your point it well taken. My concern is the potential for greater drug traffic in and out of Bonaire. Drug abuse has already reared its ugly head on the island. Will airport expansion turn the island into the highway to drug hell for the unemployed locals and teens? That would be tragic.
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By Jan Klos on Saturday, March 2, 2002 - 6:27 pm: |
Here on the Northeast coast of the US most of the pipelines and power plants were built before the houses came, And if a new one is to be built it usually doesn't end up in an area that is residential or on prime waterfront property. That is why there is zoning laws and why it takes so long to get things approved. The idea is to make as little negative impact in an area.
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By michael gaynor on Saturday, March 2, 2002 - 10:21 pm: |
E mail me directly and I should be able to direct you to the right sources for factual answers...Mimi, you are right about the drug angle. It is a great concern and one that has to be handled if the new hub is to work.
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