Willemstad – Curaçao Airport Partners (CAP) reports a decline of -2% in total passenger movements during the 3rd quarter of 2014 compared to the results over the 3rd quarter of 2013. Both arriving and international departing passengers increased during the 3rd quarter of 2014 compared to 2013 with +1% and +4% respectively. Domestic departures, those to the Dutch Caribbean islands, decreased by -11% compared to the 3rd quarter of 2013 and transferring passengers, those passengers that do not have Curaçao as their final destination, decreased with -23% compared to the 3rd quarter of 2013. The successful introduction of the ArkeFly Dreamliner aircraft, additional routes from InselAir and Surinam Airways grew capacity and additional passengers to the island. In addition, the positive impact of Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival continues to influence passenger movements and commercial activity at the airport. Europe remains the largest and strongest market increasing during the 3rd quarter of 2014 with +10% compared to the 3rd quarter of 2013. There were more seats out of Amsterdam and more passengers on board of the flights of both Amsterdam and Dusseldorf. The North American market decreased during the 3rd quarter 2014 compared to 3rd quarter 2013 by -15%. Part of the decline is due to the transferring to Venezuela from Miami via Curaçao and the amount of seats from Miami that remained constant since the bankruptcy of DAE in late summer 2013. The Latin American market increased during the 3rd quarter of 2014 by +2% compared to the 3rd quarter of 2013; this due to new routes from Colombia and additional seats from Surinam. The Dutch Caribbean market declined by -9% during the 3rd quarter of 2014 compared to the 3rd quarter of 2013. Airfares and on time performance are a concern for leisure travel between the islands. In looking forward to the 4th quarter of 2014, there will be an increase of +5% in seat capacity to Curaçao compared to the 4th quarter of 2013. KLM is adding additional capacity for the winter season as previously announced capturing other important European markets; JetBlue is launching twice (2x) a week service from JFK; American Airlines is adding a row of seats on each flight; InselAir, Air Canada, ArkeFly and Copa Airlines have additional seats in the Fall. “Our 3rd quarter 2014 traffic results were heavily and positively influenced by one of our major annual events – the Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival”, said Ralph Blanchard, CEO of CAP. “Looking forward to the 4th quarter 2014, we are very pleased with additional seats provided by our incumbent carriers, and also by the launch of the new service by Jet Blue to New York’s JFK International Airport. From a seat perspective, we have ample seats to the Curaçao destination, however, we must continue to work together actively and creatively with our airline partners to ensure that their confidence in our destination by providing these seats is equally matched by our commitment to providing the promotion and advertising stimulation that will entice more passengers to visit Curaçao.”
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