PHILIPSBURG:--- According to Olivier Arrindell, Chairman of AVA Airways, the Airbus’ latest Global Market Forecast (GMF) states that Latin American and Caribbean airlines will require 2,294 new passenger and freighter aircraft between 2014 and 2033, including 1,784 single-aisle, 481 twin-aisle and 29 very large aircraft (VLA) worth an estimated US$292 billion. AVA Airways, which is part of this forecast and shall remain focused on the path of developing St. Maarten as regional base. Arrindell states that according to the Airbus GMF by 2033 some 31,358 new passenger and freighter aircraft valued at nearly US$4.6 trillion will be required to satisfy future robust market demand in this area.
Latin America and the Caribbean have become one of the most urbanized regions in the world. The region’s GDP is currently growing at 3.9% percent per year, a growth rate above the world average of 3.2% percent per year. In the next 10 years, the economy in Latin America and the Caribbean is expected to outperform the world average, while the middle class population is forecast to grow more than 40 percent by 2033, from 278 million to 398 million people. Where does St. Maarten fit into this?
A strong economy and growing middle class has set the stage for the region’s traffic to grow at an average of 4.9% percent annually in the next 20 years, outperforming the world average of 4.7% percent. As a result, traffic flows within Brazil, within the Caribbean, between the United States and South America and between Western Europe and South America along with Africa will grow to be among the top 20 in the world by 2033. The Government Own Airline WINAIR and its dream owner Michael J. Ferrier at this moment has no aviation policy or economic plan to take advantage of these opportunities and get the small Airline into probability. The St. Maarten PJIA International Airport has the perfect position as a transshipment point to move people East, Arrindell stated.
Moreover, while nearly all of the 20 largest cities in North America and Europe connect passengers with at least one flight per day, only 40 percent of Latin America’s top 20 cities do so. Today, North Americans and Europeans are the most willing to fly, taking 1.6 and 1.0 trips per capita, respectively, but in the next 7 to 10 years, Latin America, Africa and Caribbean travelers will travel twice as much to reach the levels in Europe today.
As a result, intra-regional and domestic traffic within Latin America and the Caribbean is expected to triple by 2033, growing at an impressive rate of 5.6% percent and becoming the biggest market for Latin American carriers. AVA Airways Chairman believes that St. Maarten ’s future economy depends on these numbers and that the government needs to focus on Investing and developing the aviation sector to stabilize the economy and move it from 0.1% growth a year to 4% to 5%.
Precisely the region’s impressive traffic growth is fueling the expansion and success of the region’s low cost carriers (LCC). While most LCC traffic is currently concentrated in Brazil and Mexico, existing and future intra-regional and domestic traffic demand is already driving further LCC growth in Colombia and other markets throughout the region. If St. Maarten wants to survive in the next 10 years and have economic growth it needs to change its policy towards Aviation in general on the island and Sell WINAIR to the pretended owner Mr. Michael J. Ferrier, I am sure he will make it as profitable as NAPA in St. Maarten. The Airbus GMF also shows that Latin American airlines continue to invest in new aircraft to maintain one of the youngest and most efficient fleets in the world. With a current average aircraft age of 9.5 years, aircraft operating in Latin America are 40 percent younger today than they were in 2000. On the other hand, the average aircraft age in the in St. Maarten and Curacao remains at 15 to 36 years – more than twenty-seven years older than the Latin America and world averages.
Since IASA downgraded Sint Maarten Under Michael J. Ferrier political party DP under his presidency and imposed their compliance and enforcement program on the administrative Directorship of that then St. Maarten Government what did Mr. Michael J. Ferrier or his Experience did to help or contribute to regain St. Maarten back to IASA CAT 1 Status. Many concerned citizens and travelers alike have wondered what it will take to return to the previous status of operation of an Economical price to travel. With Travel between St. Maarten and SABA at $250 USD and more the so call owner of WINAIR should be ashamed of himself. Most believe the downgrade relates indirectly to the attacks on the World Trade buildings and the subsequent creation and enactment of the “Patriot Act” (whose impact was felt in the civil aviation arena around the world). But the real story as it is this:
The downgrade was consistent with the safety ratings from Category One down to Category Two. Before 10/10/10 the Netherlands Antilles (St. Maarten) held an International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Category One rating. After becoming individual countries according to the FAA:
I Quote: A Category Two rating means a country either lacks laws or regulations necessary to oversee air carriers in accordance with minimum international standards, or that its civil aviation authority- equivalent to the FAA for aviation safety matters- is deficient in one or more areas, such as technical expertise, trained personnel, record keeping or inspection procedures. Why the Government of Mr. Michael J. Ferrier and his expertise did not fix this. His people was both in federal Gov and Island Gov and yet you want to know what’s Olivier Arrindell expertise.
Before 10/10/10 the IASA rating was based on ICAO standards (United Nations Specialized Agency) and not the FAA. (Here is where the Patriot Act did have influence)
So any new company or additional aircraft owned and operated from either Sint Maarten or Curacao after 10/10/10. Entering with flights into US airports had to be rated under Category One. An exception for Insel Air was made; which was allowed to continue flights into 2 US cities under rating Category Two with stronger scrutiny from FAA inspectors. END QUOTE. That brings me back to this crucial question: When is Michael J. Ferrier going to do something with all of the expertise he has in the Aviation world. This downgrade issue originating from St. Maarten inaptness to rectify these known deficiencies, which result in a great loss of revenue by all parties... with safety concerns being paramount to aircraft certification of airworthiness, the FAA will not budge from sustaining the downgrade. As this doesn’t affect aircraft based in the USA or Europe transporting and doing commerce between SXM or CUR and the USA. They will continue to monopolize the market and Expert like Michael J. Ferrier have a great plan with WINAIR to fix these problem. It was his Government that got us here but yet he can’t get us out. I hire the expertise and I keep the knowledge.
