Breaking News: DCI Gets Green Light for Statia–St. Martin Flights

ORANJESTAD, St. Eustatius – Dutch Caribbean Islandhopper (DCI) on Thursday received official authorization to begin flights between F.D. Roosevelt Airport on St. Eustatius and L’Espérance Airport on the French side of St. Maarten.

The new route is expected to significantly strengthen connectivity for travelers to and from St. Eustatius. While DCI’s recently launched flights to St. Kitts and Nevis have gotten off to what the company describes as a positive start, the connection to St. Martin is being viewed as a potential gamechanger for the island.

DCI Director Steven Chin-A-Kwie said the airline is very pleased with the development.

“We are very happy with this authorization and it fits perfectly within our plans,” Chin-A-Kwie told BES-Reporter.

According to Chin-A-Kwie, the airline also hopes to deploy larger aircraft on the route in the near future, increasing inter-island passenger capacity. He explained that the flights to St. Kitts, Nevis and St. Martin represent only the first phase of the company’s broader expansion plans, which also include preparations for cargo and freight services to the island.

Chin-A-Kwie emphasized that DCI intends to maintain a flexible and simplified operating model.

“We do not only want to offer an early morning and evening flight, but several rotations during the day. L’Espérance Airport allows us to provide quick and uncomplicated service to passengers,” he said.

According to the DCI director, one of the biggest misconceptions is that regional air travel should be viewed as a luxury.

“For many residents, regional air travel is not a luxury but a necessity — whether for medical appointments, business activities, family connections or access to essential products and services,” Chin-A-Kwie stated. “That is also why, despite not receiving any subsidies, our ticket prices will be considerably lower than what is currently being charged on the route between St. Eustatius and St. Maarten.”

Improved connectivity

Chin-A-Kwie ads that DCI believes improved connectivity can have a much broader impact on small island communities.

“We strongly believe that once connectivity problems are addressed, many other challenges within the community can also begin to find new solutions. Reliable transportation is essential for the development and sustainability of small islands such as St. Eustatius,” he said.

EASA TCO Authorization

According to Chin-A-Kwie, the airline’s EASA Third Country Operator (TCO) authorization is an important milestone, as it confirms that DCI meets the strict international safety and operational standards required by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The certification places the airline within the EU regulatory and audit framework and is a mandatory prerequisite for applying for operating permits and commercial flight approvals within the European Union and associated territories.

Chin-A-Kwie added that the authorization supports DCI’s broader international expansion plans and future operational growth.DCI expects to launch the new route around mid-June, as the airline completes the final operational steps ahead of the start of service.