House of Representatives gives green light for intervention on expensive flights to and from Bonaire

THE HAGUE – The House of Representatives has approved the amendment of the Aviation Act BES. The new law gives the cabinet the power for the first time to intervene when important air connections to and from Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba are insufficiently served or become unaffordable for residents.

Until now, airlines could largely determine which routes they flew and under what conditions. For the BES islands, this can have major consequences, as residents are often dependent on air travel for medical care, education, work and family visits. The legislative amendment creates a legal basis for imposing a so-called public service obligation (PSO). This allows the government to make agreements with airlines about essential connections that are less commercially attractive.

For the BES islands, this is of great importance. Unlike in the European Netherlands, residents are often entirely dependent on air travel for medical care, education, work and family visits.

Z Air raises ticket prices

The legislative amendment comes at a time when the affordability of flying is once again under intense debate. In recent months, Z Air significantly raised its fares on the route between Curaçao and Bonaire. In some cases, a one-way ticket cost between 135 and as much as 150 US dollars. Competitors Winair and Divi Divi Air showed no comparable price increases during the same period, with fares remaining considerably lower.

During the parliamentary debate, several party groups called for affordable tickets for residents of the Caribbean Netherlands. PVV Member of Parliament Dion Graus argued that residents should be allowed to pay lower fares than tourists. Minister Vincent Karremans of Infrastructure and Water Management said he was willing to explore that possibility, but also noted that tourism is an important economic pillar for the islands.

Cabinet must now act

The ChristenUnie and PRO also submitted a motion calling on the government to come up with a package of requirements for a tender or public service obligation before the end of this year. With this, the submitters aim to prevent the new law from remaining merely a theoretical option that is never actually applied.

Minister Karremans indicated during the debate that he wants to begin preparations after the summer recess, provided sufficient financial resources are available.

The House was also presented with an amendment stipulating that the minister shall make efforts to incorporate sustainability aspects in the elaboration of the scheme. This includes, among other things, future applications of electric aviation on regional routes in the Caribbean Netherlands.

Broad support

The legislative amendment received broad support in the House of Representatives. Almost all party groups voted in favour. Only Forum for Democracy and the Party for the Animals voted against.

Following approval by the House of Representatives, the bill now moves to the Senate. If the Senate also gives its consent, the cabinet will have a new instrument to safeguard essential air connections to and from Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba when the market fails to provide them.