THE HAGUE - Dutch MP Peter van Haasen (PVV) has called on the government to take urgent steps to secure better connectivity between Sint Eustatius, Saba, and the rest of the world. His remarks come after Winair, the airline servicing the islands, decided to stop carrying cargo on its flights to and from Sint Maarten, further isolating the small island communities.
Van Haasen expressed concerns not only about the airline's decision but also about the high ticket prices residents are forced to pay. "The roughly 5,000 residents of these islands are essentially held captive by Winair, which monopolizes the short 15-minute flight," he said.
He further stated that he will work with his parliamentary colleagues responsible for aviation to explore ways to reduce the isolation of the people on Saba and Statia.
The Dutch government has long been aware of the challenges posed by ticket prices, reliability, and the continuity of air services between the islands and Sint Maarten. However, despite numerous studies and reports, no concrete action has been taken to resolve these issues.