WILLEMSTAD – CAP registered significant increase in air traffic during the first Quarter of 2015 and in addition informs of services that exceeded expectations.
According to CAP CEO Ralph Blanchard 2015 is trending to be a very good air-traffic year for Curaçao.
Curaçao Airport Partners (CAP) is pleased to report the 1st Quarter passenger traffic figures at the Curaçao International Airport. Total passenger movements during the 1st Quarter of 2015 increased by 6% compared to the 1st Quarter of 2014.
Arriving passengers increased by 8% and international departing passengers increased by 13% significantly during the 1st Quarter of 2015 compared to 2014. Domestic departures, those to the Dutch Caribbean islands, decreased by -5% compared to 1st Quarter 2014 and transferring passengers, those passengers that do not have Curaçao as their final destination and that continue their travels on another flight and airline, decreased by -11% compared to 1st Quarter 2014.
Both Europe, the largest and strongest market into Curaçao, and North America, the fastest growing market, increased passenger traffic with 7% each during the 1st Quarter of 2015 compared to the 1st Quarter of 2014.
KLM has broadened its market share with the addition of two weekly A330 flights to its daily B747 service focusing on the German market with positive results. Arke increased B787 capacity and added flights throughout the winter season.
From North America, Air Canada launched weekly service from Montreal during the winter season which performed extremely well. In addition, twice weekly service from jetBlue non-stop from New York’s JFK into Curaçao is exceeding expectations.
The transfer market from Miami further decreased due to the economic and political situation in Venezuela. The overall Latin American market showed a robust growth during the 1st Quarter of 2015 of 11% compared to the 1st Quarter of 2014.
Even though the transfer market continued to decline, the amount of stay-over passengers from Venezuela increased by 10% compared to the 1st Quarter of 2014. Colombia showed a growth of 16% stay-over passengers during the 1st Quarter of 2015 compared to the 1st Quarter of 2014.
Both Insel Air and Avianca carried more passengers from Bogota and Medellin and Insel Air added service from Baranquilla.
“During the latter part of 2014, we saw the growth for Europe and North America increasing and are very pleased that the trends are continuing and are currently exceeding CAP’s forecast”, Ralph Blanchard, CEO said.
“The combined effort of our partners in creating awareness and promoting this wonderful and unique Caribbean destination and combined with our strong relationships with our airline partners are reflected in these positive results. Additional air service, new markets and more stay-over passengers from our primary markets including Venezuela, have laid the framework for what is now trending to be a very good air-traffic year for Curaçao”.
Bron: CuracaoChronicle