Flamingo International Airport
Encyclopedia
Flamingo International Airport or Bonaire International Airport is an international airport located at Kralendijk
, Bonaire, Netherlands
. The Flamingo Airport serves as a connecting point for flights of KLM to some airports in South America
. Thus airport once served as a hub for BonaireExel, BonaireExpress
, CuraçaoExel, CuraçaoExpress
, and it now serves the Dutch Antilles Express
as its secondary hub, along with Insel Air
, for its flights to and from Miami, Florida
, and also EZAir
serves Bonaire, as well as Curacao
. as its main airline, although the airline itself is based at Curacao. The airport is also a refueling stop for KLM's flights to Ecuador
.
Flamingo Airport is the third largest airport in the former Netherlands Antilles, behind St.Maarten's Princess Juliana International Airport
and Curacao's Hato International Airport
and is the fourth largest between the Caribbean islands of the Dutch Kingdom behind the already mentioned St. Maarten, Curaçao and Aruba
's Queen Beatrix International Airport
. Arkefly
, Continental
, Delta
and KLM are currently the largest airline operators that operate scheduled flights to Bonaire.
The Flamingio Airport is large enough to accommodate most international wide-body airliners such as the Boeing 747
, the Boeing 777
, and the Airbus A340
, although the largest wide-body type to operate to Bonaire today is the McDonnell Douglas MD-11
, flown by KLM. This airport is used by medium-sized airliners such as the Boeing 727
, Boeing 737
, and Airbus A310
.
The construction work for this airport, began on September 23, 1935. The intention was to make a longer runway, but it proved impossible to see the more than 475 meters to make because the eastern portion of the land was very low. Part of the field had to be modified, in particular where the plane hitting the ground at the landing and rising. This area covered more than 100 metres from the runway which had to be paved with a mixture of sand and stone.
KLM decided on May 9, 1936, to take the risk to fly the first flight to Bonaire from Curaçao. The Oriol (Fokker
F-XVIII "Snip), was chosen for this test. The first experimental landing was successful and also a historic moment. Therefore KLM decided to make the first official flight with passengers and was scheduled to be performed on May 31, 1936.
American soldiers arrived on Bonaire in the second half of 1943 and their commander stated that a new airport had to be built. In December 1943, construction began in the vicinity of where the present airport now stands. The new airport, named "Flamingo Airport", was put into use in 1945. This was a big step forward for Bonaire and its aviation system. A small terminal was built that was suitable for the number of passengers at the time. This building was used until mid 1976.
The construction of a new runway began in the last months of 1953 and was completed in 1955. The small terminal had been extended with a terrace where luggage could be delivered. The runway was extended and expanded several times. In 1960, the runway had a length of 1430 meters and a width of 30 meters. Hotels and interested parties on the island continued to push for a further extension of the runway so that charter flights from the United States were able to land here. Those flights were often performed with DC8 or B707 aircraft. In 1970, the runway was extended to 1750 meters long and 30 meters wide, enough for a DC9 to land and take-off with full load. On June 7, 1974, a public tender for the construction of a new terminal building was made. The building became operational in 1976. Meanwhile, hotels and foreign investors continued to insist that the runway be extended further. This was needed before any more hotels could be built. In 1980 the runway was again extended to 2400 meter long and 45 meters wide, and in 2000 another extension resulted in the current length of 2880 meter to facilitate the largest airliners on intercontinental flights.
The Dutch
national carrier, KLM, started in 2000 using this airport to refuel planes en route from Amsterdam
to Ecuador
The airport registered a more than 10% increase in passengers in the first quarter of 2008. March was a record month and the increase has a lot to do with the Delta and Continental Airlines flights. Compared to the same period last year also the local passengers increased by 10.6%. International traffic increased by 8.8% which is breakthrough for the airport for Bonaire.
Since November 2005, visitors and tourists arrving at Bonaire are welcomed to a vibrant new Business and Tourism Showcase. A variety of colorful murals, vivid flat-panel displays, and high profile sponsored windsurfing sails will showcase all that the island of Bonaire has to offer. Pennsylvania-based Interspace Airport Advertising, through its subsidiary, Interspace Airport Advertising Curaçao, N.V., created the new terminal-wide advertising display program. Interspace will also manage the program through a 10-year partnership with the airport authority.
The airport has two main ramps. The smaller ramp, which is situated in front of the airport building. The ramp consist of 4 parking spots (PP1, PP2, PP3 and PP4) and is naimly used by smaller operating aircraft such as, DAE, Divi Divi, EZAir, Tiara Air and Insel Air, along with the larger Delta, Continental and Arkefly aircraft when the larger apron is in use by another large aircraft. The larger one is used for wide bodied aircraft such as KLM and Arkefly, but is also used by Continental Airlines, Delta and Insel Air, when vacant. The Larger ramp consist of two parking spots (PP5 and PP6). The management of the airport is currently working on the apron to allow two wide-bodied aircraft to park alongside each other, with the use of pushback cars, when ready for departure. At the beginning of the runway, lies the General Aviation's ramp, where mostly private aircraft are located. Due to overcrowding of the GA Ramp, some private aircraft utilize the larger ramp, at PP6 to park when overnighting and long stays.
In the past, the airport has been served by Air ABC, Air ALM
, Air Aruba
, Air Europe (Italy)
, Air Jamaica
, American Eagle (Executive Airlines)
, Avensa
, Avior Airlines
, Bonaire Express
/Curaçao Express
(now Dutch Antilles Express), Canada 3000
, Cats Air, Dutch Caribbean Airlines
, Línea Turística Aereotuy, Martinair
, Miami Air International
, Royal Aruban Airlines
, Servivensa
, Sobelair
and Surinam Airways
.
BonAeroClub also offers sightseeing opportunities and also flight lessons with their Cessna 172
.
. CUTE stands for Common Use Terminal Equipment. This is a common use system whereby all airlines can use each of the 12 available check-in counters at Flamingo Airport. More flexibility is obtained while the processing capacity of passengers at the check-in counters is increased and made more efficient. The older check-in system worked with so-called dedicated check-in counters which were usable by only one particular airline and could not be used by other airlines, thus restricting processing capacity.
Due to the introduction of this new system, Bonaire International Airport N.V. will charge each departing passenger a service charge, starting December 1, 2008. This service charge amounts to 3.00 guilders (about US$1.69) and will be added to the existing passenger facility charge (airport tax).
The management of the airport is drawing up a master plan to comply with international requirements. There are three important projects planned which include:
Management is working very hard to make sure that Bonaire International Airport is as safe as possible and this way could welcome the aircraft that come to Bonaire and contribute to the growth of the tourism on the island.
Reported/official runway-dimensions:
Flamingo International Airport operates a Non-directional beacon
on 321 KHz
Catering is available since Goddard Catering opened an airline kitchen on the island in 2003 offering complete airline catering. The Aruba kitchen uses ready-made imported frozen hot meals and locally made salads and appetizers.
operate at Bonaire airport.
Divi Divi Air & EZAir, are the only airlines with their own handling services and employees.
fuel is available 24 hours a day via Valero Bonaire Fuels Co N.V., owned by Valero Energy Corporation. On-site capacity of the tank-farm consists of two storage tanks of 630,000 gallons each. Every other week jet fuel
is delivered to the island via a tanker
from their own refinery
at Aruba
. Valero operates a direct pipeline
from their landing-jetty to the airport.
Two refueller trucks each with 15.000 gallons and one with 10.000 gallons are available.
and one rapid-intervention unit.
Kralendijk
Kralendijk is the capital city and main port of the island of Bonaire in the Caribbean Netherlands. The language spoken in the town is Papiamentu, but Dutch and English are widely used. In Dutch, Kralendijk means "coral reef" or "coral dike". The Papiamentu name for the town is Playa or "beach"...
, Bonaire, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. The Flamingo Airport serves as a connecting point for flights of KLM to some airports in South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. Thus airport once served as a hub for BonaireExel, BonaireExpress
Bonaire Express
Bonaire Express was an airline based in Bonaire, Netherlands. It was the regional airline for the Netherlands Antilles and also acted as a feeder to KLM for its long-haul services to Europe...
, CuraçaoExel, CuraçaoExpress
Curaçao Express
Curaçao Express was a regional airline based in Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles. It operated services between the islands of the Netherlands Antilles, mostly flights between Curaçao's Hato International Airport and St Maarten's Princess Juliana International Airport.- History :The airline started...
, and it now serves the Dutch Antilles Express
Dutch Antilles Express
Dutch Antilles Express is a regional airline of the former territory of Curaçao. It operates high-frequency scheduled services in the Dutch Caribbean and to Venezuela, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic. Its main base is at Hato International Airport, Curaçao. The head office is at Pietermaai,...
as its secondary hub, along with Insel Air
Insel Air
Insel Air International B.V. ' is an airline based in Willemstad, Curaçao. It has Hato International Airport in Curaçao as its home base. Insel is German for island...
, for its flights to and from Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
, and also EZAir
EZAir
EZAir is a new small regional service airline in the Bonaire, founded in May 2008 . Is based on Bonaire, with ticket offices in Bonaire and Curaçao.- Services :...
serves Bonaire, as well as Curacao
Curaçao
Curaçao is an island in the southern Caribbean Sea, off the Venezuelan coast. The Country of Curaçao , which includes the main island plus the small, uninhabited island of Klein Curaçao , is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands...
. as its main airline, although the airline itself is based at Curacao. The airport is also a refueling stop for KLM's flights to Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
.
Flamingo Airport is the third largest airport in the former Netherlands Antilles, behind St.Maarten's Princess Juliana International Airport
Princess Juliana International Airport
Princess Juliana International Airport serves the Dutch part of the island of Sint Maarten. In 2007, the airport handled 1,647,824 passengers and 103,650 aircraft movements. The airport serves as a hub for Windward Islands Airways and is the major gateway for the smaller Leeward Islands,...
and Curacao's Hato International Airport
Hato International Airport
Hato International Airport or Curaçao International Airport is the airport of Willemstad, Curaçao. It has services to the Caribbean region, South America, North America and Europe...
and is the fourth largest between the Caribbean islands of the Dutch Kingdom behind the already mentioned St. Maarten, Curaçao and Aruba
Aruba
Aruba is a 33 km-long island of the Lesser Antilles in the southern Caribbean Sea, located 27 km north of the coast of Venezuela and 130 km east of Guajira Peninsula...
's Queen Beatrix International Airport
Queen Beatrix International Airport
Queen Beatrix International Airport , in Oranjestad, Aruba, is an aviation facility. It has flight services to the United States, most countries in the Caribbean, the northern coastal countries of South America, Canada and some parts of Europe, notably the Netherlands...
. Arkefly
Arkefly
ArkeFly is a Dutch charter airline headquartered in Schiphol-Rijk on the grounds of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands. It is the charter carrier of the Dutch arm of the German travel conglomerate TUI and its main base is Schiphol Airport...
, Continental
Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines was a major American airline now merged with United Airlines. On May 3, 2010, Continental Airlines, Inc. and UAL, Inc. announced a merger via a stock swap, and on October 1, 2010, the merger closed and UAL changed its name to United Continental Holdings, Inc...
, Delta
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines, Inc. is a major airline based in the United States and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The airline operates an extensive domestic and international network serving all continents except Antarctica. Delta and its subsidiaries operate over 4,000 flights every day...
and KLM are currently the largest airline operators that operate scheduled flights to Bonaire.
The Flamingio Airport is large enough to accommodate most international wide-body airliners such as the Boeing 747
Boeing 747
The Boeing 747 is a wide-body commercial airliner and cargo transport, often referred to by its original nickname, Jumbo Jet, or Queen of the Skies. It is among the world's most recognizable aircraft, and was the first wide-body ever produced...
, the Boeing 777
Boeing 777
The Boeing 777 is a long-range, wide-body twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It is the world's largest twinjet and is commonly referred to as the "Triple Seven". The aircraft has seating for over 300 passengers and has a range from , depending on model...
, and the Airbus A340
Airbus A340
The Airbus A340 is a long-range four-engine wide-body commercial passenger jet airliner. Developed by Airbus Industrie,A consortium of European aerospace companies, Airbus is now fully owned by EADS and since 2001 has been known as Airbus SAS. a consortium of European aerospace companies, which is...
, although the largest wide-body type to operate to Bonaire today is the McDonnell Douglas MD-11
McDonnell Douglas MD-11
The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 is a three-engine medium- to long-range widebody jet airliner, manufactured by McDonnell Douglas and, later, by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Based on the DC-10, it features a stretched fuselage, increased wingspan with winglets, refined airfoils on the wing and smaller...
, flown by KLM. This airport is used by medium-sized airliners such as the Boeing 727
Boeing 727
The Boeing 727 is a mid-size, narrow-body, three-engine, T-tailed commercial jet airliner, manufactured by Boeing. The Boeing 727 first flew in 1963, and for over a decade more were built per year than any other jet airliner. When production ended in 1984 a total of 1,832 aircraft had been produced...
, Boeing 737
Boeing 737
The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers...
, and Airbus A310
Airbus A310
The Airbus A310 is a medium- to long-range twin-engine widebody jet airliner. Launched in July 1978, it was the second aircraft created by Airbus Industrie,a consortium of European aerospace companies, Airbus is now fully owned by EADS and since 2001 has been known as Airbus SAS. the consortium of...
.
History
Bonaire's first airport was located near Tra'i Montaña Subi Blanku and walked across the current path of Kralendijk to Rincon. It was only a landing strip and a shelter. It was built in 1936 and is considered the place that is the beginning of aviation on Bonaire.The construction work for this airport, began on September 23, 1935. The intention was to make a longer runway, but it proved impossible to see the more than 475 meters to make because the eastern portion of the land was very low. Part of the field had to be modified, in particular where the plane hitting the ground at the landing and rising. This area covered more than 100 metres from the runway which had to be paved with a mixture of sand and stone.
KLM decided on May 9, 1936, to take the risk to fly the first flight to Bonaire from Curaçao. The Oriol (Fokker
Fokker
Fokker was a Dutch aircraft manufacturer named after its founder, Anthony Fokker. The company operated under several different names, starting out in 1912 in Schwerin, Germany, moving to the Netherlands in 1919....
F-XVIII "Snip), was chosen for this test. The first experimental landing was successful and also a historic moment. Therefore KLM decided to make the first official flight with passengers and was scheduled to be performed on May 31, 1936.
American soldiers arrived on Bonaire in the second half of 1943 and their commander stated that a new airport had to be built. In December 1943, construction began in the vicinity of where the present airport now stands. The new airport, named "Flamingo Airport", was put into use in 1945. This was a big step forward for Bonaire and its aviation system. A small terminal was built that was suitable for the number of passengers at the time. This building was used until mid 1976.
The construction of a new runway began in the last months of 1953 and was completed in 1955. The small terminal had been extended with a terrace where luggage could be delivered. The runway was extended and expanded several times. In 1960, the runway had a length of 1430 meters and a width of 30 meters. Hotels and interested parties on the island continued to push for a further extension of the runway so that charter flights from the United States were able to land here. Those flights were often performed with DC8 or B707 aircraft. In 1970, the runway was extended to 1750 meters long and 30 meters wide, enough for a DC9 to land and take-off with full load. On June 7, 1974, a public tender for the construction of a new terminal building was made. The building became operational in 1976. Meanwhile, hotels and foreign investors continued to insist that the runway be extended further. This was needed before any more hotels could be built. In 1980 the runway was again extended to 2400 meter long and 45 meters wide, and in 2000 another extension resulted in the current length of 2880 meter to facilitate the largest airliners on intercontinental flights.
The Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
national carrier, KLM, started in 2000 using this airport to refuel planes en route from Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
to Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
Airport information and facilities
The first Bonaire-Miami flight took place on April 19, 1980, possible since the runway extension of that year. The current runway of 2880m is long enough for flights to Europe with a maximum take-off weight. KLM began with flights to Peru and later to Ecuador with a fuelstop on Bonaire in 2002. In recent years, the facilities at the airport have been modernized and expanded. There is a new departure hall, a new platform for wide body aircraft and a fuel farm was also added. As of 2009, Flamingo Airport is a full service stop for transit flights and the destination for many tourist flights, with air-conditioned offices, restaurant, departure hall and stores.The airport registered a more than 10% increase in passengers in the first quarter of 2008. March was a record month and the increase has a lot to do with the Delta and Continental Airlines flights. Compared to the same period last year also the local passengers increased by 10.6%. International traffic increased by 8.8% which is breakthrough for the airport for Bonaire.
Since November 2005, visitors and tourists arrving at Bonaire are welcomed to a vibrant new Business and Tourism Showcase. A variety of colorful murals, vivid flat-panel displays, and high profile sponsored windsurfing sails will showcase all that the island of Bonaire has to offer. Pennsylvania-based Interspace Airport Advertising, through its subsidiary, Interspace Airport Advertising Curaçao, N.V., created the new terminal-wide advertising display program. Interspace will also manage the program through a 10-year partnership with the airport authority.
The airport has two main ramps. The smaller ramp, which is situated in front of the airport building. The ramp consist of 4 parking spots (PP1, PP2, PP3 and PP4) and is naimly used by smaller operating aircraft such as, DAE, Divi Divi, EZAir, Tiara Air and Insel Air, along with the larger Delta, Continental and Arkefly aircraft when the larger apron is in use by another large aircraft. The larger one is used for wide bodied aircraft such as KLM and Arkefly, but is also used by Continental Airlines, Delta and Insel Air, when vacant. The Larger ramp consist of two parking spots (PP5 and PP6). The management of the airport is currently working on the apron to allow two wide-bodied aircraft to park alongside each other, with the use of pushback cars, when ready for departure. At the beginning of the runway, lies the General Aviation's ramp, where mostly private aircraft are located. Due to overcrowding of the GA Ramp, some private aircraft utilize the larger ramp, at PP6 to park when overnighting and long stays.
In the past, the airport has been served by Air ABC, Air ALM
Air ALM
ALM Antillean Airlines was the main airline of the Netherlands Antilles between its foundation in 1964 and its shut-down in 2001, operating out of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao....
, Air Aruba
Air Aruba
Air Aruba was the main air carrier from the island of Aruba. It was founded in 1986 and it declared bankruptcy in 2000. It was headquartered in the Brown Invest Building in Oranjestad, Aruba.- History :...
, Air Europe (Italy)
Air Europe
Air Europe was a wholly privately owned, independentindependent from government-owned corporations British airline, established in 1978 under the working title Inter European Airways. It adopted the Air Europe name the following year...
, Air Jamaica
Air Jamaica
Air Jamaica is the current national airline of Jamaica. It is has been owned and operated by Caribbean Airlines since 26 May 2011. The airline, headquartered in Piarco, Trinidad and Tobago also has administrative offices located in Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, Jamaica...
, American Eagle (Executive Airlines)
American Eagle Airlines
American Eagle Airlines is a brand name used by American Eagle Airlines, Inc. , based in Fort Worth, Texas, and Executive Airlines based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in the operation of passenger air service as regional affiliates of American Airlines. All three airlines are wholly owned subsidiaries...
, Avensa
Avensa
Avensa was a Venezuelan airline headquartered in Caracas. It is in the process of financial restructuring, after it went into bankruptcy due to poor management in 2002...
, Avior Airlines
Avior Airlines
Avior Airlines is an airline based in Barcelona, Anzoátegui, Venezuela. It operates scheduled and charter services within Venezuela and the southern Caribbean, as well as Miami out of its base at Generál José Antonio Anzoátegui International Airport....
, Bonaire Express
Bonaire Express
Bonaire Express was an airline based in Bonaire, Netherlands. It was the regional airline for the Netherlands Antilles and also acted as a feeder to KLM for its long-haul services to Europe...
/Curaçao Express
Curaçao Express
Curaçao Express was a regional airline based in Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles. It operated services between the islands of the Netherlands Antilles, mostly flights between Curaçao's Hato International Airport and St Maarten's Princess Juliana International Airport.- History :The airline started...
(now Dutch Antilles Express), Canada 3000
Canada 3000
Canada 3000 Inc. was a Canadian discount charter airline offering domestic and international flights. It was the largest charter airline in the world at the time of its operation, with over 90 destinations worldwide, although it changed to scheduled service in 2000 after the Canadian Airlines and...
, Cats Air, Dutch Caribbean Airlines
Dutch Caribbean Airlines
Dutch Caribbean Airlines was an airline based in Curaçao, part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It was founded after the demise of Curaçao's first airline, Air ALM...
, Línea Turística Aereotuy, Martinair
Martinair
For the American cargo airline, see Martinaire.Martinair Holland N.V., operating as Martinair, is an airline headquartered in the TransPort Building on the grounds of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands. It operates cargo services to over 50 destinations worldwide. Services...
, Miami Air International
Miami Air International
Miami Air International is an American charter airline based in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. It operates worldwide passenger charter flights for diverse groups including cruise operators, professional sports teams and the United States military...
, Royal Aruban Airlines
Royal Aruban Airlines
Royal Aruban Airlines was an airline based in Aruba. It went bankrupt a few years ago.-Code data:*IATA Code: V5*ICAO Code: RYL*Callsign: Royal Aruban...
, Servivensa
Servivensa
Servivensa is an airline based in Caracas, Venezuela. It operates scheduled domestic flights.-History:The airline was established in 1990. Its operations were temporarily suspended in May 2003 when parent airline Avensa announced that it was grounding its aircraft due to a drop in demand of air...
, Sobelair
Sobelair
Sobelair was an airline from Belgium. It was headquartered in Brussels and operated mostly non-scheduled passenger and cargo flights out of Brussels Airport.-History:...
and Surinam Airways
Surinam Airways
Surinam Airways is the national airline of Suriname, based in Paramaribo. It operates regional and long-haul scheduled passenger services. Its hub is at Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport.On 16 September 2008, Surinam Airways had 400 employees....
.
BonAeroClub also offers sightseeing opportunities and also flight lessons with their Cessna 172
Cessna 172
The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is a four-seat, single-engine, high-wing fixed-wing aircraft. First flown in 1955 and still in production, more Cessna 172s have been built than any other aircraft.-Design and development:...
.
Parking system and charges
Since May 2008, Bonaire International Airport (BIA) has started with the renovation of the parking places at Flamingo Airport. The airport introduces short- and long-term paid parking. Financial manager Gerard Chin-A-Lien indicated that the project will cost US$2.1 million. Most of this money will be spent on paving, installing the automatic parking system, landscaping, and lighting. This service official started on 5 September 2008. It is not possible to drop off passengers for free since August 2009 as you have to pay 1 guilder for the first 30 minutes and 1 guilder for each 30 minutes after that with a maximum of 20 guilders per day. Long parking costs 10 guilders per day. According to security manager Tico Wanga, a lot of attention is paid to safety with sufficient lights and cameras everywhere, and patrolling security personnel.Check-in system and airport tax fee
In October 2008, Bonaire introduced the new CUTE system from SITASITA
SITA is a multinational information technology company specialising in providing IT and telecommunication services to the air transport industry...
. CUTE stands for Common Use Terminal Equipment. This is a common use system whereby all airlines can use each of the 12 available check-in counters at Flamingo Airport. More flexibility is obtained while the processing capacity of passengers at the check-in counters is increased and made more efficient. The older check-in system worked with so-called dedicated check-in counters which were usable by only one particular airline and could not be used by other airlines, thus restricting processing capacity.
Due to the introduction of this new system, Bonaire International Airport N.V. will charge each departing passenger a service charge, starting December 1, 2008. This service charge amounts to 3.00 guilders (about US$1.69) and will be added to the existing passenger facility charge (airport tax).
Future plans
It is planned to expand the current airport building as more airlines and tourists come to Bonaire. It is also planned to expand the current departure and arrival hall of the airport to meet the standards of the amount of tourists that will be visiting the airport in the coming years and to repair the airport's runway after certain speculations that the runway had a crack in it. The Dutch Transport Minister, Camiel Eurlings, calculates that it will cost about €20 million (57 million guilders) to repair Bonaire's worn-out Flamingo International Airport runway. Since Bonaire is now the responsibility of the Netherlands, including ownership of the airport, it must comply with European standards, which are much stricter than the ICAO standards. Recently, the worldwide civil aviation authority conducted an audit on all of the airports within the Dutch Kingdom (including the rest of the Caribian parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) and said that they are just within standards. "Regarding the condition of the airport of Bonaire, there is no need to panic, there is no acute danger, only overdue maintenance. The runway needs heavy renovations and the people of Bonaire need a vital airport," concluded Eurlings.The management of the airport is drawing up a master plan to comply with international requirements. There are three important projects planned which include:
- Maintenance of the runway (as mentioned above)
- Moving the fire station to the middle of the runway
- Purchasing two push-back cars for the heavy jets
Management is working very hard to make sure that Bonaire International Airport is as safe as possible and this way could welcome the aircraft that come to Bonaire and contribute to the growth of the tourism on the island.
Scheduled
Charter
Cargo services
- AmeriflightAmeriflightAmeriflight LLC is an American cargo airline with its headquarters in Hangar 1 on the grounds of Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, California. It is the largest United States FAA Part 135 cargo carrier, operating scheduled and contract cargo services to destinations in 30 US states, Canada, Mexico, and...
- DHL BonaireDHLDHL Express is a division of the German logistics company Deutsche Post providing international express mail services. DHL is a world market leader in sea and air mail....
- UPSUnited Parcel ServiceUnited Parcel Service, Inc. , typically referred to by the acronym UPS, is a package delivery company. Headquartered in Sandy Springs, Georgia, United States, UPS delivers more than 15 million packages a day to 6.1 million customers in more than 220 countries and territories around the...
- SwissportSwissportSwissport International Ltd. is a Swiss company headquartered in Glattbrugg, Opfikon, Switzerland. Owned by PAI, Swissport International Ltd. provides ground services for around 100 million passengers and 3.2 million tonnes of cargo a year on behalf of some 650 client-companies in the aviation...
Statistics
| Items | 2008 - Q1 | 2008-Q2 | 2008-Q3 | 2008-Q4 | extrapol. 08 | year 2007 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total movements | 3.892 | 3.927 | nyk | nyk | 15.638 | 15.249 |
| movements, NATIONAL | 2.397 | 2.691 | nyk | nyk | 10.176 | 9.615 |
| movements, INTERNATIONAL | 807 | 826 | nyk | nyk | 3.266 | 3.354 |
| OTHER movements | 668 | 410 | nyk | nyk | 2.156 | 2.280 |
| TOTAL passengers | 124.624 | 117.349 | nyk | nyk | 483.946 | 513.948 |
| - departing NAT | 23.365 | 23.581 | nyk | nyk | 93.892 | 94.947 |
| - departing INT | 21.212 | 18.567 | nyk | nyk | 79.558 | 66.215 |
| - arrivals NAT | 23.110 | 23.547 | nyk | nyk | 93.314 | 93.382 |
| - arrivals INT | 21.207 | 18.417 | nyk | nyk | 79.248 | 69.497 |
| - Transit | 35.730 | 33.237 | nyk | nyk | 137.934 | 187.907 |
| Freight (ton) | 114 | 73 | nyk | nyk | 374 | 376 |
| Mail (ton) | 14 | 15 | nyk | nyk | 58 | 55 |
- Note: The extrapolated data for 2008 are calculated without taking seasonal influences into account.
- nyk:not yet known
Historical statistics
Between 2000 and 2003 the airport saw a ongoing grow in passengers and freight but some decline since 2004| Type of traffic | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger throughput | 536.651 | 573.487 | 371.805 | 2765.185 | 314.152 |
| Cargo (tons) | 715 | 760 | 477 | 345 | 370 |
| Total Movements | 15.992 | 18.195 | 13.525 | 9.981 | 9.684 |
Runway and approach
The single runway 10/28 is 2880 metre. The actual heading is 92° or 272°. For runway 10 a Simple Approach Landing System is in place, for runway 28 no visual approach aids are available. Lighting of runway complies with all current regulations and back-up power system is available.Reported/official runway-dimensions:
-
- See for explanation of used terms article on runwayRunwayAccording to ICAO a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft." Runways may be a man-made surface or a natural surface .- Orientation and dimensions :Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth...
- See for explanation of used terms article on runway
| Runway | TORA | ASDA | TODA | LDA | Obsstructions | Dimensrions strip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 2880 | 2880 | 3020 | 2780 | none | 3000x150 |
| 28 | 2880 | 2880 | 3030 | 2880 | none | 3000x150 |
Flamingo International Airport operates a Non-directional beacon
Non-directional beacon
A non-directional beacon is a radio transmitter at a known location, used as an aviation or marine navigational aid. As the name implies, the signal transmitted does not include inherent directional information, in contrast to other navigational aids such as low frequency radio range, VHF...
on 321 KHz
Catering
Apart from the passenger terminal Bonaire Airport has facilities for freight and mail.Catering is available since Goddard Catering opened an airline kitchen on the island in 2003 offering complete airline catering. The Aruba kitchen uses ready-made imported frozen hot meals and locally made salads and appetizers.
Ground handling
Three local ground handlersAircraft ground handling
In aviation, aircraft ground handling defines the servicing of an aircraft while it is on the ground and parked at a terminal gate of an airport.-Overview:...
operate at Bonaire airport.
- Air Handling Service Bonaire, which is the ground handling agent for DAE, Delta Air Lines, Insel Air and some cargo Services. It was also the agent for American Eagle before they discontinued their flights from and to San Juan. They also provide handling services to private jets.
- Bonaire Air Services, which is the ground handling agent for Air France-KLM, Continental Airlines and ArkeFly. It was also the agent for Air Jamaica prior to their discontinued flight to Bonaire.
- Progressive Air Services, which is the ground handling agent for Tiara Air and Kavok Airlines. Progressive Air Services also provides handling service to various private jets that visit the island. It was also the ground handling agent for Transaven and Rainbow Air.
- SwissportSwissportSwissport International Ltd. is a Swiss company headquartered in Glattbrugg, Opfikon, Switzerland. Owned by PAI, Swissport International Ltd. provides ground services for around 100 million passengers and 3.2 million tonnes of cargo a year on behalf of some 650 client-companies in the aviation...
also serves as one of the cargoCargoCargo is goods or produce transported, generally for commercial gain, by ship, aircraft, train, van or truck. In modern times, containers are used in most intermodal long-haul cargo transport.-Marine:...
and aircraft ground handlingAircraft ground handlingIn aviation, aircraft ground handling defines the servicing of an aircraft while it is on the ground and parked at a terminal gate of an airport.-Overview:...
service on the island. Swissport was the ground handling agent for Arkefly (Curaçao), DAE (Curaçao) & Insel Air (Curaçao) before the handling of DAE & Insel Air has been later handled by Air Handling Services Bonaire and Arkefly is currently being handled by Bonaire Air Services.
Divi Divi Air & EZAir, are the only airlines with their own handling services and employees.
Fuel
Aviation Jet A1Aviation fuel
Aviation fuel is a specialized type of petroleum-based fuel used to power aircraft. It is generally of a higher quality than fuels used in less critical applications, such as heating or road transport, and often contains additives to reduce the risk of icing or explosion due to high temperatures,...
fuel is available 24 hours a day via Valero Bonaire Fuels Co N.V., owned by Valero Energy Corporation. On-site capacity of the tank-farm consists of two storage tanks of 630,000 gallons each. Every other week jet fuel
Jet fuel
Jet fuel is a type of aviation fuel designed for use in aircraft powered by gas-turbine engines. It is clear to straw-colored in appearance. The most commonly used fuels for commercial aviation are Jet A and Jet A-1 which are produced to a standardized international specification...
is delivered to the island via a tanker
Oil tanker
An oil tanker, also known as a petroleum tanker, is a merchant ship designed for the bulk transport of oil. There are two basic types of oil tankers: the crude tanker and the product tanker. Crude tankers move large quantities of unrefined crude oil from its point of extraction to refineries...
from their own refinery
Refinery
A refinery is a production facility composed of a group of chemical engineering unit processes and unit operations refining certain materials or converting raw material into products of value.-Types of refineries:Different types of refineries are as follows:...
at Aruba
Aruba
Aruba is a 33 km-long island of the Lesser Antilles in the southern Caribbean Sea, located 27 km north of the coast of Venezuela and 130 km east of Guajira Peninsula...
. Valero operates a direct pipeline
Pipeline transport
Pipeline transport is the transportation of goods through a pipe. Most commonly, liquids and gases are sent, but pneumatic tubes that transport solid capsules using compressed air are also used....
from their landing-jetty to the airport.
Two refueller trucks each with 15.000 gallons and one with 10.000 gallons are available.
Emergency equipment
The airport is categorized as Fire Category 9 and on-site equipment includes 4 crashtendersAirport Crash Tender
An airport crash tender is a specialised fire engine designed for use at aerodromes and airports in aircraft accidents.Airport Crash Tenders are extremely powerful machines...
and one rapid-intervention unit.
Incidents and accidents
- On October 14, 2009, a single-engined private plane, exploded in mid-air while flying over Bonaire. Witnesses near the west coast of the island witnessed a ball of fire falling from the sky at around 9pm. The bodies of the pilot and a passenger were recovered along with bales of drugs. The bodies, aircraft type and drug type have yet to be identified.
- On October 21, 2009, a Britten-Norman Islander BN-2A flight operated by local commuter airline, Divi Divi Air Flight 014Divi Divi Air Flight 014Divi Divi Air Flight 014 was a scheduled commuter flight from Hato International Airport in Curaçao to Flamingo International Airport in Bonaire carrying a single pilot and nine passengers, which on 22 October 2009 ditched in the Caribbean Sea off the Coast of Bonaire due to an engine...
lost an engine while in flight to Bonaire and had ditch in the sea South-West of Klein Bonaire and five minutes out from Bonaire. Pilot Robert Mansell, 32, managed to successfully ditch the plane in the water but was knocked unconscious on impact. The passengers tried to undo his safety harness, but the plane was sinking too fast and he went down with the aircraft, but rescue boats managed to pick up all of the nine passengers that were on board.