PHILIPSBURG - Airline company WINAIR is currently conducting test flights with its new ATR-42 aircraft. 

The so-called "proving flights" are necessary to obtain the license required to commercially operate the aircraft from the St. Maarten aviation authority. Through these test flights, an airline demonstrates to the regulatory body that it has mastered all elements of flight operations with the new aircraft type. 

Once the necessary permits are obtained, the aircraft will be deployed on flights between Sint Maarten and the ABC islands. Although the first flight to Bonaire took place last week, WINAIR's partner, Air Antilles, is still being used for that route. 

The first test flight on Saturday was carried out to neighboring islands Antigua and St. Lucia.