Lack of financing and poor maintenance left hundreds of passengers stranded.
WILLEMSTAD: --- Two pilots working for Insel Air took a safety decision on Wednesday evening when they grounded two MD 80 aircraft leaving hundreds of passengers stranded. SMN News learned from passengers that the pilots took the decision to ground the aircraft because it was not safe to fly them due to poor maintenance. According to information provided to SMN News Insel Air is not stocking major parts and other materials to service the aircraft's due to their financial crisis and as such, they are carrying out minimal maintenance to keep the aaircraft's in the air.
SMN News understands that after the pilots took that decision Civil Aviation Curacao stepped in and agreed with the pilots. However, there are questions surrounding the performance of Civil Aviation in Curacao since it is not clear if they normally inspect the maintenance department of the airlines.
One of the aircraft that was grounded Wednesday evening was heading to Suriname.
SMN News further learned that due to the decisions taken Wednesday night by the pilots has caused two flights to St. Maarten and Curacao to cancel, which is 521 to the Dominican Republic and 522 to Curacao. However, chose to combine the flights and will operate it as HI -531 with all passengers to the Dominican Republic and Curacao on board.
