Regional carrier Winair has taken delivery of its fourth ATR 42-500 aircraft, bringing the regional carrier’s fleet to nine and more than doubling its size since 2023.
The addition underscores Winair’s position as the operator of the Caribbean’s largest intra-island network, now serving 17 destinations on more than 30 routes. The new aircraft will help the airline safeguard the reliability of its scheduled operations during the peak travel season while also creating flexibility to expand charter services.
“This is a transformative step for Winair,” said Hans van de Velde, Chief Executive Officer. “With nine aircraft now in service, we are better equipped to deliver on our promise of punctuality and reliability. This investment is not just about expanding capacity, it’s about connecting the Caribbean to the world, and the world to the Caribbean.”
The ATR 42-500 has strong fuel efficiency, operational reliability and short-haul suitability, making it well-suited for Winair’s island-to-island operations. The fleet expansion sets the stage for potential new route launches, with one or two additional destinations expected in the near future.
In recent months, Winair has expanded frequencies and routes across its core network, including more service between St Maarten and islands like St Barth, Saba and St Eustatius, while adding capacity to key regional gateways such as Antigua, St Kitts and Tortola. These moves, combined with new partnerships and interline agreements, have positioned the carrier to capture growing demand for intra-Caribbean connectivity.
The airline’s growth has been fueled by strong results in 2025: scheduled capacity rose 16 percent year-over-year in the first half, passenger traffic increased by 22 percent and total revenue grew 28 percent. The performance, executives said, demonstrates that Winair’s strategy is delivering results across its network.
Caribbean Journal Staff
2025-09-22 17:32:00