Flutter around the Dutch Antilles
Sun, sea and airplanes at Curacao-Hato
                   by Jan Koppen & Michael S. Prophet            

​​In February 2020, my friend, Mr. Michael S. Prophet, and I traveled from Amsterdam to the Caribbean' old-style'. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines brought us comfortably in their 27 years young Queen, "City of Nairobi" (PH-BFN), to Willemstad, Curacao. During our spotters-trip in the Caribbean, we took the opportunity to flutter around the Dutch Antilles to spot and photograph the aviation activity on these tiny islands. The first island was, of course, Curaçao. At Hato Airport, we enjoyed some perfect spotting locations. Enjoy the pics, video, and captions.​

In February 2020, KLM was one of the last remaining commercial operators of Boeing 747's in passenger services. We flew Boeing 747-406 "City of Nairobi" under flightnumber KL0735 from Amsterdam to Willemstad, Curacao. 
​The lenghtly PISCA3 arrival was very much appreciated. 
Arrival of the 'Queen' from Amsterdam as KL0735. 
Two days later, PH-BFY, visited Willemstad. Her last revenue flight took place a couple of weeks later. On Sunday March 29, 2020, she landed at Amsterdam, after an atlantic voyage from Curacao, as KL0736 on her last commercial flight.

The Challenger CL601-3A/ER, N545SD, in the picture, was stranded at CUR after a drugs transport.
PH-BFY 'Queen Johannesburg' was only 18 years young during her retirement.
Capt. Mike van Rossum and F/O Helen Hüpscher-Bakker at the helm of PH-BFN.  
Bon Bini at Curacao International Airport.
Pictured in the twilight of its career, Jetair Fokker F-70 PJ-JAC stands idle on the ramp at Curacao-Hato early February 2020 with its engine covers on. 
​Jetair Caribbean is a private commercial airline based in Curaçao offering scheduled and charter flights to/from the Caribbean and South America. Founded as United Caribbean Airlines, a charter company in 2006 and applying for its commercial AOC in 2018 which was approved in November 2019.
​Jetair Fokker F-70 PJ-JAC pauses a moment beside ATR-42-300F YV-638T at Curacao-Hato in February 2020.​
DHL ATR-42-300F YV-638T is a frequent visitor of Willemstad.
PJ-JAC Fokker F-70. Built in1996 for Sempati Air but this Fokker was not taken up by the Indonesian Airline. In January 1997 she was acquired by KLM Cityhopper and became PH-KZD. Her career was cut short when she was withdrawn from use on February 05, 2017. Several month's later she should become a part of Air Niugini fleet but this deal felt through. After two years of storage she was acquired by JetAir Caribbean where she started working during July 2019.  
The vision of Jetair Caribbean is to become a major regional airline in the Caribbean.
PJ-JAB Fokker F-70. The aircraft was almost 23 years old when captured on film in February 2020 and had seen service with Vietnam Airlines and TransNusa in Indonesia, before being acquired by aircraft broker Bridgelite Holdings Ltd. In December 2019 she was acquired by JetAir Caribbean and became JetAir's second Fokker F-70, making her first commercial flight for JetAir Caribbean in January of this year.
The development of the Fokker 70 was based on the requirements of some airlines, for which the Fokker 50 or ATR 42 were too small and the Boeing 737 or MD-80 too large. The development consisted in cutting various sections of the fuselage of the Fokker 100, removing 4.62 metres (15.2 ft) of the plane's total length but keeping the wings and tail. 
Curacao-Hato Airport used to be named Dr. Albert Plesman Airport.
The Boss, Mr. Michael S. Prophet, in front of the old Dr. Albert Plesman Airport terminal of current Curacao-Hato airport.  
Overview of Hato's commuter ramp.
Jetair fleet consists of 2 F70 aircrafts, both with a capacity of 80 seats.
Air Antilles 'Greed Bird' F-OIXD is seen here operating flight WM803 for Winair. The flight originated in St. Maarten. 
A superb shot of an Air Antilles ATR-42, on short finals to land at CUR‘s runway 10. 
This ATR-42 is pictured on final approach and flare at Willemstad, Curacao in February 2020.
ATR-42-500 F-OIXE. The ATR 42-500 is a further upgraded version, the first delivery of which occurring during October 1995. It has six-bladed propellers powered by PW127E engines rated at 2,400 shp (1,800 kW) for improved hot and high performance and increased cruise speed.
During the 1980s, French aerospace company Aérospatiale and Italian aviation conglomerate Aeritalia merged their work on a new generation of regional aircraft. For this purpose, a new jointly owned company was established, ATR, for the purpose of developing, manufacturing, and marketing their first airliner, which was later designated as the ATR 42. ATR stands for Aerei da Trasporto Regionale.
To date, all of the ATR series have been completed at the company's final assembly line in Toulouse, France; ATR benefits from sharing resources and technology with Airbus. 
The number "42" in its name is derived from the aircraft's standard seating configuration in a passenger-carrying configuration, which typically varies between 40 and 52 passengers.
ATR-42-600 F-OIXO. This regional liner rolled—off the Toulouse production—line in September 2013. With construction number 1010 she was delivered to Air Antilles Express in December of that same year. 
The ATR 42-500 is a further upgraded version, the first delivery of which occurring during October 1995. It has many improvements for performance and passenger comfort including new engines, new propellers, a newly designed cabin, and increased weight. It has six-bladed propellers powered by PW127E engines rated at 2,400 shp (1,800 kW) for improved hot and high performance and increased cruise speed. 
F-OIXH ATR-42-500 of Air Antilles Express. The number "42" in its name is derived from the aircraft's standard seating configuration in a passenger-carrying configuration, which typically varies between 40 and 52 passengers. 
Divi Twin-Otter inbound on short final from Bonaire.
PJ-DVF DHC-6-300 Twin Otter. This Twin-Otter first flew in September 1978 and was delivered the same month to South-Pacific Island Airways as N28SP. From 1981 until its purchase by Divi Divi Air in December 2018, she changed hands almost 20 times. 
Divi Divi Air N.V. is a small regional service airline in Curaçao. It was established in 2001 and is based in Curaçao. In the area its nickname is "Divi". The airline is named for the Divi-divi tree which grows in the region.
PJ-DVE DHC-6-300 Twin Otter. This aircraft was first delivered to NorOntair in October 1973. After only eight years she was sold and had varied career with several well-known Canadian operators, such as; Austin Airways, Air-Dale and Air Labrador before being purchased by Plane & Parts Ltd. in April 2017. Eight months later and began a new life as a regional airliner at Bonaire with Divi Divi Air.
In 1953, Britten-Norman was formed for the purpose of converting and operating agricultural aircraft, amongst other vehicles such as the Cushioncraft hovercraft. In 1963, the firm initiated development work upon what would become the Islander, having sensed a demand for a single and inexpensive twin-piston engine aircraft. The founders, John Britten[6] and Desmond Norman, had observed the rapid growth of the commuter airline sector, and concluded that capacity was of a higher value to these operators than either range or cruising speed, thus the Islander emphasized payload over either of these attributes.
Development of the aircraft began in 1964, with the first flight on May 20, 1965. A twin-engine replacement for the single-engine DHC-3 Otter retaining DHC's renowned STOL qualities, its design features included double-slotted trailing-edge flaps and ailerons that work in unison with the flaps to boost STOL performance. The availability of the 550 shp (410 kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-20 turboprop in the early 1960s made the concept of a twin more feasible. A DHC-3 Otter with its piston engine replaced with two PT6A-4 engines had already flown in 1963. It had been extensively modified for STOL research.To bush operators, the improved reliability of turboprop power and the improved performance of a twin-engine configuration made it an immediately popular alternative to the piston-powered Otter which had been flying since 1951.
​DHC-6 Series 300. Twin-engine STOL utility transport aircraft, powered by two 680 shp (715 ESHP) (462 kW) Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 turboprop engines.
​Divi Divi Air was founded on July 28th, 2000 and commenced operations in 2001 with a fleet of Britten-Norman BN-2P Islanders to Bonaire. For over 17 years Divi Divi Air has been a household name on the route between Curaçao and Bonaire. The locals on the islands characterize the airline by its small scale, personal attention and particularly high punctuality. Although the aviation company run by the Richie family has concentrated almost entirely on maintaining the route between Bonaire and Curaçao in the first 17 years, Aruba was added in February 2018.[1]
​Here, a Divi Twin-Otter is caught between flights on a sticky day at Curacao-Hato airport in February 2020. 
The F/O’s position is well illustrated in this shot of a Divi Twin-Otter of the airline’s hub at Curacao-Hato. 
Divi Twin-Otter, PJ-DVE, tops-up with oil and Jet A-1 at Curacao-Hato.
The Curacao-Hato based Twin-Otters are hard working aeroplanes.
The ramp of several maintenance companies, including Airline Technical Support, and the airport's fire department.​
This Twin-Otter had finished its day’s work by lunchtime and moved to a quieter part of the airfield.​
PJ-DVD ​DHC-6-300 Twin Otter (situated on the right side of the hangar). The aircraft was originally delivered at the end of March 1971 to Wideroe's Flyveselskap as LN-BEP. The Twin-Otter spent 11 years with Norwegian carrier. Petomin of Saudia Arabia bought the aircraft in 1982 and operated it for several years before sold to Air Labrador in May 1988. The Twin-Otter worked for more than 19 years in the Far North. In April 2017 it passed into the hands of the Canadian aircraft broker Planes & Parts Ltd. Six month's later Divi Divi Air became the proud new owner.
A Divi Divi BN-2A Islander and Piper-32R PJ-DVC, receiving maintenance in the ATS hangar. 
EZ Air Beech 1900D, PJ-EZY from Oranjestad, Aruba, crosses into the sunshine, just as it passes over fence.
 24 years old Beech 1900D PJ-EZY of EZAir is seen here making a picture perfect landing at Curacao-Hato with a strong and gusty headwind.
EZ Air is a small regional service airline and Air Ambulance provider BES, founded in May 2000. Is based on Bonaire, with ticket offices in Bonaire and Curaçao.
​The Beech 1900D's in question were, until recent, used for flight operations on behalf of Air Canada Express. The aircraft, with 19 seats each, will be used under the brand name EZ-Air for flights between the ABC islands, flights between Bonaire and St. Eustatius and flights to Colombia. The aircraft have been specially selected for their ability to fly directly to various destinations, within an acceptable time and with sufficient comfort. . The relatively long distances, for example on the route between Bonaire and St. Eustatius, brought about several requirements for the aircraft, which among other things have a toilet, and reasonable baggage capacity.
The director of Medicair and EZ Air, Rene Winkel, has an enormous experience in local aviation. He previously flew as captain for both the Winair and ALM Antillean Airlines. In addition, with his company Medicair he has been carrying out ambulance flights between Bonaire and Colombia since the year 2000. The name EZ-Air is not new on the islands. In the past, Winkel has been executing flights between Bonaire and Curaçao for several years with two Britten-Norman aircraft.
What an ugly monster....... but keep in mind, her ancestor was the famous and beautiful Beech-18!
EZ Air Beech 1900D, PJ-EZA, has spent nearly all of its working life based in Canada. In 2018 she was exported to the Dutch Antilles and started working for EZ Air.
EZ Air Beech 1900D, PJ-EZY, taxing out for departures with company ship, PJ-EZA, in the background.
Under callsign EasyWay 682, ‘Zulu Yankee’ unsticks at Curacao-Hato, capturing the atmosphere of an cloudless Caribbean day.
A last look at EZ Air PJ-EZR as she climbs away from Curacao-Hato Airport on a test flight. 
Here, EZ Air Beech 1900D, PJ-EZY, is caught between flights on a sticky day at Curacao-Hato airport, in the second week of February 2020. 
Another quick turnround for HI-1033 as it disembarked her passengers from Santo Domingo.
Once the passengers had disembarked, H-1033 was refueled and scrutinized for any obvious faults. 
Air Century Bomberdier CRJ-200ER seen here taxiing at Curacao-Hato prior to departing on yet another flight.
Off it was on a bright sunny Saturday, 2nd week of February 2020, rocketing down to Santo Domingo under callsign Centuryflight 152 in merely 2 hours. 
A laden Ameriflight Embraer-120 freighter, operating flight A8/8120 from Aguadilla (BQN), with a stop in Oranjestad (AUA), maneuvers onto the ramp at Curacao-Hato on February 10, 2020.
Sky High Aviation Services flight DO/940 from Santo Domingo is powered by twin 7,440-lb thrust Rolls Royce AE 3007A1’s, fitted with clamshell thrust reversers to shorten the landing run.  
Airbus A320 C-FGKH is operated by Air Canada on schedudled flight AC950 from Toronto and seen here bringing in another load of Canadian sun-worshippers.
Again, we got rewarded with bright sunshine on this lovely Sunday, February 09, 2020. Aruba Airlines Bomberdier CRJ-200, P4-CRA, was operating flight AG508 to Oranjestad. 
​
Aruba Airlines is the flag carrier and the sole airline of Aruba. The airline, founded in 2006, provides scheduled and charter air transport for passengers to 13 destinations. Aruba Airlines's corporate headquarters is in Oranjestad, Aruba. Aruba operates its primary maintenance base at Miami. They received AOC from United States in 2015.

Aruba Airlines was established by Mr. Onno J. de Swart in 2006. The airline began charter operations with a seven-seat Piper PA-31 Navajo in 2010. The main headquarters is in the city of Oranjestad in Aruba, which is the main operation centre, and the airline opened a new office at Queen Beatrix International Airport. 
AerCaribe Cargo Boeing 737-400F launches into the sky on February 08, 2020, against the backdrop of the Caribbean sea.
HK-5228 is a Boeing 737-4B6(SF) which has spent nearly all of its working life based in Marocco was exported in 2017 to Colombia and started working for AerCaribe.
Boeing 737-4B6(BF), climbing and beginning its left turn after a runway 11 take-off. 
N813NN nosing-up to the camera on the ramp at Curacao-Hato.
​
American Airlines-owned​ Boeing 737-800 N813NN noses up to the gate, after arriving as AA2739, at Curacao-Hato airport on February 07, 2020.
An head-on view of a American Airlines Boeing 737-800.
​An American Airlines Airbus A320, operating flight AA708 from Charlotte (CLT), maneuvers onto the taxiway at Curacao-Hato in February 2020.
Airbus A320 N730US taxiing to her assigned stand.
Boeing 737-800 N870NN arrived, under flightnumber AA2739, from Miami at Curacao-Hato with another cargo of sun—worshippers.
JetBlue B6/1111 from New York (JFK) taxies to its gate at Curacao-Hato in February 2020.
Billboard titles.
"Bluebird" on push-back at Curacao-Hato. 
​
JetBlue Airbus A320, operating flight B6/1112, is pushed back in bright sunshine at Caracao-Hato airport at the start of its long journey to its temporary home New York (JFK). 
Rouge Airbus A320, C-FYJG, taxi to take-off from CUR. 
​A Rouge Airbus A320 banking left over Curacao's north-coast seconds after departing Curacao-Hato's runway 11.
23-year old Fly All Ways Fokker F-70 PZ-TFB on approach to Curacao-Hato runway 11 in February 2020. 
Fly All Ways flight 8W/613 from Paramaribo on final to runway 11 at Curacao-Hato. The Fokker F-70 made an economical fuel-stop at Willemstad, before continuing to Port-au-Prince, Haiti. 
Fly All Ways is an airline of Suriname, based in Paramaribo and started operations on January 10, 2016 with the launch of its inaugural flight above Suriname.
​PZ-TFB Fokker F-70. This particular F-70, was originally earmarked for service with Italian carrier Avianova, but was actually delivered to KLM Cityhopper as PH-WXA in May 1997. After one year of storage at Norwich, England, she was acquired by Fly All Ways and ferried to Paramaribo in May 2015.
Birdview 633 leaves runway 11 at Curacao-Hato in February 2020, with a full load of Haitian workers bound for Port-au-Prince. 
Throttles against the stops as Pratt & Whitney PW120 powered Dash-100, PH-CGB, climbs out over the Caribbean to chase the setting sun.
Surinam Airways Boeing 737-300, PZ-TCS, operating flight PY/729 from Paramaribo, with a stop in Port-of-Spain, makes contact with Curacao-Hato's runway 11, on February 12, 2020. 
Overview of the Curacao-Hato maintenance facilities.
Their bright liveries still gleaming in the strong sunlight, these ex-InselAir MD80's are forming a fraction of their vast fleet. 
Clearly shown is the ‘double-bubble’ fuselage shape used by Douglas engineers to maximize the internal capacity by mating two circular cross-sections of different widths. 
Even with all her engines removed PJ-MDG still manages to look classy.
PJ-MDI MD-83 InselAir. This McDonnell Douglas MD-83 rolled—off the Long Beach production-line in 1989 and was delivered new to German Wings as D-AGWC. 17 months later she was sold to AeroLloyd with her original registration. In 2002 she was sold to Crossair/Swiss. In December 2003 she was exported to the U.S. and started working for Spirit Airlines. From 2006 she was again a regular visitor to the European airfields when she flew for spanish Swiftair as EC-JUG. In September 2015 she was finally sold to InselAir and registrated P4-MDI. Three years later she was stored at Curacao, where she remains in a sad condition. She was re-registrated PJ-MDI. 
The Fokker F-70 in the ATS hangar seems to be PH-JCH. It was withdrawn from use some years ago and hangared, but she still retains tell-tale signs of its last airline identity, InselAir, as shown in this photograph.
Small part of the former InselAir fleet is stored at Curacao-Hato. 
InselAir MD-83 PJ-MDG.​ Airtours operated this rather scruffy Mad Dog on euro-wide scheduled charter flights for six years before being sold to Edelweiss Air and Meridiana. The MD-83 was acquired by Insel Air in 2013. After a couple of years she was stored in bad condition at Curacao-Hato.
Time is running out for the last survivors of the Fokker F-50. Seen here, is the stored Insel Air Fokker F-50, PJ-KVO.
InselAir Fokker F-50 PJ-KVM. It was withdrawn from service and stored next to the Aeroclub at Curacao-Hato.
The Venezualan Cessna 185, YV-2060, is owned and operated by Skydive. 
EZ Air PJ-EZR is a Britten-Norman Islander and seen here on a test-flight after maintenance. 
PJ-WLS is a Piper PA-34-200T and under restoration at the Aeroclub maintenance base.
International Services Aviation Corporation Learjet-25D N30LJ marooned in a corner of Curacao-Hato.
- The End -
We also visited; ​Bonaire, Aruba, St. Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius. Check-out the articles below. 
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