Page 16 - ARUBA TODAY

A16 LOCAL
Tuesday 27 March 2018
Wealth Tourism Development in the Caribbean

cial airliner needs far more al trip planning for business tending the event. There funding to build it, unlike
staff and attention, from jet operators. Again, want- were more than 1,000 pri- most of the Caribbean is-
ticket counter to the stairs ing to know what hurdles vate jet flights over the five lands. They don’t even
for embarking and all the they face, and finding out days. want an airport; they have
additional tra-ra around what they knew about our Davos doesn’t have an a good heliport. Where do
the handling of aircraft and airport. We learned from airport. The closest airport the rich-and-famous’ jets
passengers. each other. They received is Samedan, at an eleva- land? Nice, a major inter-
By Cdr. Bud Slabbaert a better insight of our desti- tion of 1,707 mtr/ 5,600 ft national airport that is rela-
How did I change 60% nation ‘from their perspec- Europe’s highest airport but tively nearby. Nice is not
ORANJESTAD - “We want scheduled commercial tive’. has no scheduled flights. keen on it, since it has too
more private and business flights against 40% business Why mentioning ‘from their It’s one of the world’s most many scheduled commer-
aircraft coming to our air- aviation, into 60% bizavver- perspective’ in both cases? challenging airports due cial flights. Cannes is not
port.” – “You’re right,” I re- sus 40% scheduled, without Because their clients make to its difficult mountain to- far away and specializes in
sponded. “We’re looking losing business of the lat- the decision where to go, pography, the winds, and private and business avia-
for a mover-and-shaker ter segment? Sales pitches but the service providers the thinness of the air at this tion. Ground transportation
to do it” – “Good thing,” I and PR don’t do the trick. ‘from their perspective’ altitude. For the event, the to Monaco on congest-
replied. “We were think- Forget 101 college market- will discretely advise them airspace over Swiss’ Davos ed roads takes too long
ing of you!” – “Who me?”. ing. I decided to visit the what may be best on how and the adjacent Austrian though. Helicopter service
That was the essence of operation center of the to get there. What’s my territory is virtually closed to Monaco make sense.
being invited to an airport business aviation operator point? Solving problems is by the air forces. Excep- Another hint for the Carib-
board meeting. While driv- that had the largest fleet essential! Not ‘hot air’ pro- tions are made for helicop- bean. You may not have
ing home, it went through of aircraft (140) headquar- motion, nor sales pitches. ter flights directly to Davos roads and time-taking
my mind: how on earth tered in Portugal. In detail, In aviation development; to bring in the ‘crème-de- ground transportation, in-
am I going to do this? As they explained their opera- there is no such a thing as la-crème’. stead you have water be-
their PR associate, I had a tions and when airport is- opening a can of airplanes. Where do their jets fly to? tween the territories and
good sense of the airport’s sues popped up. If I could I should point out that the Option #1: Zurich Interna- a ferry ride is time-taking.
strengths and weaknesses. take care of that, would airport for which I handled tional Airport and used by Helicopter service may be
I had often suggested that they come more often? the aviation development the highest ranking politi- an alternative to accom-
General Aviation deserved Yes! So, I worked on it. The was located in Switzer- cal officials who need ex- modate this clientele. Plus,
more attention, because airport went successfully land. Who followed the in- tra protection and official the costs of a helipad are
it’s more lucrative. Two through three evaluations ternational news this past Swiss government recep- a fraction of developing
ground staff members can and it became their pre- months, may be aware of tion. It takes a 1 ½-hour-plus or extending a runway.
handle a private jet from ferred airport in the region the World Economic Forum limousine ride to Davos. Some islands don’t even
passenger and luggage ‘from their perspective’. in Davos, Switzerland. Thou- Option #2: ‘My’ regional have a helicopter on loca-
handling to refueling. The I visited some of the major sands of the world’s richest airport. Only 1 ¼-hour-or- tion. The configuration of a
landing and handling fees companies in Houston, Tex- and most powerful people less drive because of a passenger helicopter can
are excellent. A commer- as that handle internation- from 70 countries were at- non-saturated route. A be changed in 10 minutes,
‘low-key’ airport and less have a hoist attached, and
extra policing or security be ready for rescue opera-
needed. No air traffic slots. tions.
The ‘140-aircraft company’ Why would you like to have
decided that we’d be their this clientele and what is
preferred airport. I told the the sense of this wealth
airport director that he had tourism? They are spend-
to move out and make his ing ten times as much per
office available. The com- person than the average
pany used it for its aircraft mass-tourism visitor. US$
dispatcher to handle their 900 plus for a hotel night
flights for three nearby air- is not uncommon, neither
ports including Zurich Inter- is a US$ 20,000 plus week’s
national, and in addition, villa rent. It is not just the
two of their own customer positive economic impact.
service agents, a ground Since this clientele does
transportation coordinator, not accept mediocrity, the
and a chief-pilot to handle island is forced to upgrade
crew arrangements. its infrastructure and facili-
What’s the point for the Ca- ties which may improve the
ribbean? You don’t need a overall standard of living of
major airport to attract and its community.
bring in a certain clientele. This clientele is also willing
You need a smooth func- to pay higher wages or
tioning airport that is well charges for services. If they
equipped, and mediocrity like the destination they’re
is not an option. A 5,000 ft loyal and return; often
/ 1,500 mtr runway is often more than once a year.
enough. Every passenger arriving on
Monaco, one of the world’s a private jet is a potential
wealthiest nations, doesn’t investor in the region. Think
have an airport. No space about it.
for it; just like some of the Success breeds success
Caribbean islands. or… it may at least rub
They do have plenty of off.q