Winair, Nevis Government Collaborate to Save Route

Windward Islands Airways International NV (Winair) has announced that its planned closure of the Nevis route will not go ahead as it had initially announced some weeks ago.

This was the disclosure made by the airline’s Managing Director, Edwin Hodge on Wednesday, noting that after several days of fruitful discussion with the Nevis Island Administration an agreement has been reached to keep the operations in Nevis ongoing.

“Maintaining a reliable, scheduled air link between Nevis and St Maarten is in the best interest of the island and the people of Nevis, especially in the present world economic climate,” said Premier and Minister of Tourism on Nevis, Joseph Parry.

Nevis was initially slated to form part of the company’s four routes that were to have been discontinued due to a number of reasons among them being low passenger rate and rapidly growing operational costs which was putting continuous strain on the airline’s finances.

However, immediately after announcing plans that Nevis was expected to be cut, the government of Nevis approached Winair with a view of salvaging the destination. Dominica was closed on March 1 while Tortola and St Kitts had their last flight on March 29.

“The attempts and efforts made by the Government of Nevis demonstrate the excellent and long term relationship that both Winair and Nevis has shared over the years. Therefore, I commend Premier Parry and his team of officials for their efforts and significant work in saving the route as they understand the importance that Winair has been playing within the community,” Hodge said.

The company’s MD pointed out that the airline has been able to establish a number of interline agreements with some of the world’s major carriers. Among them being Delta, United, Northwest, air Canada and Air France which he noted will be able to connect passengers to St Maarten via Nevis.