American Airlines and American Eagle Cancel Flights to Aruba … There is a Demand to go to Aruba?

American Airlines and American Eagle has cut and canceled virtually all flights from the US to Aruba. Further signs that not only has the increase in fuel prices made these cuts necessary, but also demand to the Aruban tourism destination. High prices of fuel are obviously going to be the public reason what is given for the cuts and cancellation of flights; however, it is obvious that if the demand for travel to Aruba far outweighed the fuel costs there would have been no need to make a decision for the cut back in air travel.

Effective September of this year, the direct AA-flights from New York to Aruba on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are going to be cancelled.  Also American Eagle’s flights from San Juan to Aruba and St. Maarten will be cancelled, same as the jet-flights between Puerto Rico and St. Maarten.

American Airlines Flying Away from the Caribbean

In the meantime, Caribbean tourism types are freaking out. Without planes coming in, how are all those sun-seeking tourists gonna get to the islands?

UPDATE I: Continental becomes latest U.S. airline to cut service

Continental’s announcement came a day after United Airlines said it was discontinuing Ted, its low-fare airline, cutting 1,100 more jobs on top of previously announced cuts and retiring a total of 100 aircraft. Delta Air Lines and American Airlines have announced similar steps.

Curacao falls outside; American Airlines’ economy measure (Amigoe 5/5/2008)

WILLEMSTAD – The two daily flights from Miami to Curacao are not as yet included in American Airline’s economy measures.  AA will reduce the number of direct flights between New York (JFK) and Aruba drastically.  American Eagle will cancel her flights from San Juan to St. Maarten and Aruba, and Bonaire will be left with 3 weekly flights.

Effective September of this year, the direct AA-flights from New York to Aruba on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are going to be cancelled.  Also American Eagle’s flights from San Juan to Aruba and St. Maarten will be cancelled, same as the jet-flights between Puerto Rico and St. Maarten.

American Eagle has already cancelled her two flights from San Juan to Curacao two years ago.  AA increased her frequency to Curacao with two daily flights, of which the evening one spends the night on the airport of Curacao and returns to Miami the next morning.  The company will possibly reduce the number of weekly flights from 14 to 10. 

As a result of among others the high fuel prices, AMR Corporation, owner of American Airlines and American Eagle has started a big economy operation.  Compared to last year, the company wants to reduce her foreign flight capacity with 10 to 11 percent in the fourth quarter.  Of the 55 regional flights from San Juan, AA will cancel 22 by the beginning of September this year.  That city is left with 18 of the 38 daily flights from the US. 

Economic Affair’s minister Elvis Tjin Asjoe (UPG) attended a meeting of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) on the plans of American airline companies to reduce flights in connection with the drastic increase of the fuel prices.  AA has meanwhile introduced a luggage surcharge as part of the fuel price increase.

Bonaire will be left with 3 weekly American Eagle flights from San Juan on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.  The aircraft has 55 seats but these are almost never used optimally, because the aircraft must transport a lot of diving equipment for the passengers; and in addition to that, the crew must spend the night in Bonaire, which also involves extra costs; however the company won’t change that, which means that the return flights continue to be on the next day.   

American Eagle every year transports 40 percent of the American tourists that visit Bonaire.  Bonaire will loose about 25 percent of the total transportation capacity of travelers from the United States.  The tourist bureau and island territory of Bonaire are looking together for possible solutions, like other airline companies for example.