Page 16 - ARUBA TODAY

A16 LOCAL
Tuesday 5 december 2017
Opinion Column: Caribbean Friendly Skies

By Cdr. Bud Slabbaert are bilateral air service Government agencies aim pledge and adhere to the filled out. Many forms are
ORANJESTAD - Have you agreements negotiated to stay in control. There concept an annually is- ending up in shoe cartons
ever heard of the ‘Carib- between countries. It in- is another element that sued Certificate and Seal anyway, regardless of the
bean Friendly Skies’, an volves passenger AND needs to be mentioned; of Approval? The tourism claim that they are used for
airlift concept where all statistics. Many territories
the flight connections are in the region make them-
fast, the schedules are ef- selves ridiculous to travel-
ficient, the flight attendants ers by clinging to control by
are beautiful, the pilots are paperwork. For vacationers
good looking, the assis- and other passengers, it is a
tance of the ground staff is nuisance.
above average, the fares There must be better ways.
are affordable, and the That is what the ‘Carib-
flying convenience is su- bean Friendly Skies’ shall
perlative? This concept is be about. Skip bureau-
a secret tip in air transpor- cratic nuisance and non-
tation. So secret that very sense and improve inter-
few people envisioned that island travel and tourism.
it could even exist in the The countries that will not
Caribbean. It is a beyond- make an effort to look
average program that cre- for solutions, could be ex-
ates a new image for air cluded from the program
transportation in the region. and may be stuck with a
cookie of their own dough,
The ‘Caribbean Friendly which is being considered
Skies’ prioritizes achiev- “third-worldsy” by guests
ing the benefits of having from abroad, compared to
better service, efficiency, those destinations that are
and affordability. If gov- more competitive and in
ernments are interested in line with modern times.
growth and development Now that we have a fair
through increased travel overview of the opportuni-
and trade, they would be ties, benefits, challenges,
well advised to cooperate and issues, and we are
and support such a con- looking back at what has
cept. If they don’t, well…., not been realized, one
then they are showing that might conclude that we
they are not an appealing have been dealing with
destination and should just cargo services. All sides of some government-owned authorities can use it in stakeholders who have not
step aside. Nothing should the agreement need to airlines are worried and are their destination marketing. tried hard enough, or are
delay or hinder ‘Caribbean commit to opening their looking for protection. If The countries that do not not willing to find a solution,
Friendly Skies’. The ‘Carib- respective markets. Each they would provide impec- subscribe to the concept or do not understand that
bean Friendly Skies’ con- side’s own objectives and cable air transportation ser- will go empty-handed. For airlift is a people business.
cept puts the perspectives market characteristics may vice, they would not have travel agents abroad, it So, be it. Just stubbornly
and interests of the end- delay or cancel liberaliza- to worry in the first place. suggests that it may be bet- keep holding summits and
users first. For instance, the tion, because national po- In order to find a solution, ter to ignore destinations committee meetings, and
tourists who are fueling the litical and economic priori- one would have to play that don’t show the Seal keep the fictitious barriers in
economy revenues for 50- ties are the main determi- Three-Dimensional Chess. of Approval. For vacation- the skies, which symbol to
85%. Any authority that is a nant and also the main de- This expression is used col- ers, it is a sign that they are travelers that they are not
hurdle in economic devel- terrent. The governments loquially to describe com- not particularly welcome as welcome as the promo-
opment may not be serv- of twenty plus Caribbean plex, dynamic systems with or that the destination is tions say. Oh, and if those
ing its community in an in- territories and multiple au- many competing entities not friendly enough. Some guests happen to come
telligent manner. thorities may be involved. and interests, including airlines may be avoiding anyway, don’t forget to
Wait a minute? What is Quite a number! No won- politics, diplomacy and those territories. The coun- levy repelling taxes that are
wrong an ‘Open Skies’ der that ‘Open Skies’ have warfare. To describe an in- tries that are not willing needed for tourism promo-
concept? ‘Open Skies’ is been suggested and talk- dividual as ‘playing three- to cooperate, are simply tion to attract them. I’m not
a great catchy name for a ed about over an extensive dimensional chess’ implies wasting their money on pro or contra anyone; I’m
hot-air-balloon festival. But period of time. It was never a higher-order understand- destination promotion. only pro for finding a solu-
it should be avoided when realized. Zippo open skies is ing and mastery of the sys- The negotiations for a ‘Ca- tion when one is realistically
dealing with government where we stand right now, tem beyond the compre- ribbean Friendly Skies’ con- within reach.
authorities and politicians and another summit of hension of their peers or or- cept will concern only pas- Call it: ‘Caribbean Friendly
in the Caribbean because Honorables is not going to dinary observers. Finding a senger services and not Skies’.
it immediately activates change it. person who will be heading cargo. Just one example
defense mechanisms as it What are the differences the efforts may be a chal- here. The transit passen- *The views, opinions and
comes across as: “Eliminat- that one is dealing with? lenge for itself. ger from abroad should positions expressed by the
ing regulations and govern- ‘Friendly Skies’ aim to facili- How to speed up the pro- be protected from fill- author do not necessarily
ment interference,” and tate the joyful flying experi- cess and get the ‘Carib- ing out forms for entering reflect the views, opinions
gives the false impression ence of passengers. ‘Open bean Friendly Skies’ con- a transit hub-airport and or positions of The Aruba
of “Everyone can do what- Skies’ aim to facilitate a cept moving? Incentives! then when flying from hub today Newspaper, Carib-
ever he wants”. free-market environment How about awarding those to end-destination again bean Speed Printers, or any
Open Skies agreements for air transport operations. countries and airlines that new forms that need to be employee thereof.q