The Dutch Caribbean Air Navigation Service Provider (DC ANSP), dependent on the government of the Netherlands, denied overflight of Arajet aircraft in the region under its jurisdiction.
In a statement, the agency reported that the Dominican low-cost carrier’s Boeing 737 MAX aircraft will not be able to fly over its airspace.
This means that Arajet’s flights to Saint Maarten, Aruba, and Curaçao are at risk of cancellations or rescheduling. It will also affect operations to Colombia or any other destination requiring flying over Dutch Caribbean territory, as they will have to divert, increasing operational hours.
The decision will take effect from April 11, 2023, and could affect:
Santo Domingo – Curaçao – Aruba – Santo Domingo; two weekly flights.
Santo Domingo – St. Maarten – Santo Domingo; two weekly flights.
In response to Aviacionline’s inquiry, the company confirmed that there was an issue stemming from an approach fee payment that was not being automatically charged to the Arajet account since the beginning of operations in September 2022.
The operator also stated that, having resolved the issue, they are awaiting a statement from the authority clarifying the current situation.
Tensions between the Dutch Caribbean and the Dominican Republic
It is not the first time a Dutch territory denies operations to a Dominican airline: in mid-2022, bilateral agreements between the Dominican Republic and St. Maarten were at risk, due to the Civil Aviation Authority of the latter country accusing the Dominican Republic’s Civil Aviation Board (JAC) of suspending a company in favor of Dominican airlines.
After three days, the JAC reported that the Civil Aviation, Navigation, and Maritime Affairs Authority of Saint Maarten (SMCAA) had lifted the suspension of flights from airlines originating in the Dominican Republic, after agreeing to the return of the Dutch airline operating in Dominican territory.
Arajet’s arrival in the Caribbean sparked fierce competition in the Dominican Republic’s main markets. Recently, JetAir Caribbean suspended its flights between Curaçao and Santo Domingo, blaming overcapacity and a looming price war.
