WILLEMSTAD – Various news media reported this morning that the German airline Airberlin will stop its flights between Dusseldorf and Curaçao by the end of October this year.
This news came as a surprise since, in a recent interview the interim director of the Curaçao Tourist Board, Hugo Clarinda indicated that the German market was doing very well. This is the reason why Curaçao Chronicle immediately contacted Mr. Clarinda to find out the facts about this report.
According to Clarinda, Etihad as the biggest shareholder in the German airline is calling the shots. They want Airberlin to focus more on their target market. They don’t indicate that in their communication with the CTB, but it is common knowledge that the USA, is their target market. All the other routes that are not in their target markets, including the Caribbean, will be stopped this year.
“It has nothing to do with CTB and the payment of the seat guarantee as was reported by the media this morning. This is solely a decision made by the airline to focus on their new strategy and their target markets,” said the CTB Executive.
“Of course we will not accept this. We will be in Germany next week to discuss this. Right before winter, they want to stop. It would make more sense to stop in the summer season. We will try to convince them but we don’t know if we will succeed.”
Clarinda also announced before that they are negotiating with other alternatives, including in the German market.
Bron: CuracaoChronicle