Dutch Antilles Express
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Airline |
| Predecessor | BonairExel, CuraçaoExel, Bonair Express, Curaçao Express |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Founder | Nick Sandman (owner of BonairExel and CuraçaoExel) |
| Defunct | 2013 |
| Fate | Bankruptcy declared; operations ceased |
| Headquarters | Willemstad , Curaçao |
Area served | Dutch Caribbean, United States, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Haiti, Suriname |
Key people | Arnold Leonora (former owner) |
| Products | Scheduled passenger flights |
| Parent | Government of Curaçao (from May 31, 2011) |
Dutch Antilles Express B.V. was an airline headquartered in Curaçao, providing scheduled flights throughout the Dutch Caribbean region to destinations including the United States, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Haiti, and Suriname. Its primary operational base was located at Curaçao International Airport.
Amid mounting financial difficulties and unfavorable market conditions, the government of Curaçao intervened on May 31, 2011, purchasing the airline from Arnold Leonora. This acquisition involved two capital injections totaling around US$1.68 million. The airline operated under the tagline Your Caribbean Wings.
In August 2013, both management and staff submitted a request to the Curaçao government for a loan amounting to 5 million Guilders (approximately US$2.8 million) intended to cover unpaid wages and other operational costs. This proposal was rejected by Parliament on August 16, 2013, leading to the Court of First Instance declaring DAE bankrupt on August 30, 2013.
Initial operations
The airline originated in 2003 as BonairExel, a component of the ExelAviation Group, utilizing three ATR 42 aircraft and briefly operating an Embraer ERJ 145 on routes between Bonaire and Aruba. Although it flew with Exel branding and Air Exel personnel, ownership was held independently by a Dutch investor based in Bonaire. To broaden its market presence, a subsidiary named CuraçaoExel was established in Curaçao. Following the collapse of Dutch Caribbean Airlines, ExelAviation introduced ArubaExel, heightening competition within the region.
Rapid expansion placed financial strain on ExelAviation, prompting legal proceedings against Nick Sandman, owner of BonairExel and CuraçaoExel. This led to repossession of aircraft and dissolution of ExelAviation Group’s Caribbean operations. The airlines rebranded as Bonair Express and Curaçao Express to sever ties with ExelAviation and ended their partnership.
Initially based in Kralendijk, Bonaire, the company moved its headquarters to Curaçao in April 2007 to centralize flight operations while retaining call center and revenue functions in Bonaire.
After multiple legal disputes, Bonair Express and Curaçao Express merged into Dutch Antilles Express, commencing service on April 30, 2005. Initial routes connected the Netherlands Antilles with Aruba, with its first international destination launched on December 9, 2005, flying to Valencia, Venezuela.
Bankruptcy and flight termination
In March 2013, the National Institute of Civil Aviation (INAC) revoked DAE’s landing rights at Maracaibo due to substandard passenger service and inadequate facilities. Several aircraft undergoing extensive maintenance reduced route availability. Although this suspension was intended as temporary pending resolution, DAE never resumed flights to Maracaibo.
By May 2013, INAC revoked DAE’s operational permissions throughout Venezuela over safety and security concerns. DAE contested these allegations publicly with backing from Nelson Ramiz—a consultant for DAE and CEO of Falcon Air Express, which provided wet-leased aircraft to DAE.
In June 2013, Suriname enforced a ground stop against DAE over unpaid service fees; this was resolved following a cash settlement. Employees appealed to former Curaçao Prime Minister Gerrit Schotte seeking intervention to lift Venezuela’s suspension; however, Venezuela officially withdrew all operating permits for DAE effective June 16, 2013.
In July, DAE pursued a capital loan of 5 million Guilders from Curaçao Airport Holdings. Simultaneously, competitor Insel Air proposed acquiring government shares and taking over DAE’s operations—a bid declined by authorities. The airline received approval to introduce nine new destinations compensating for lost Venezuelan routes. Meanwhile, Curaçao Parliament debated public funding amid mounting unpaid employee salaries.
At the start of August, St. Maarten airport imposed a "ground hold" on DAE aircraft due to outstanding debts but permitted limited relief flights during negotiations. By August 6 no agreement had been reached; consequently, operations ceased at that location.
On August 12 creditor Girobank placed liens on DAE’s accounts halting cash flow entirely. Staff appealed for government assistance as financial difficulties forced cancellations by August 16. Parliament reviewed company finances but voted against further support.
DAE lost access to check-in services at Curaçao Airport and canceled flights to Bonaire because of unpaid navigation fees. On August 24 Curaçao Airport enforced a departure ban on all DAE flights effectively ceasing operations. Aircraft were returned to lessors and all network flights were canceled. Subsequently, IATA removed DAE from its Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP), blocking ticket sales and refund processing.
Employee groups petitioned for bankruptcy protection; on August 30 a court issued a preliminary bankruptcy declaration for DAE. Although an appeal was filed on September 11 it was withdrawn by September 19. The Curaçao Civil Aviation Authority suspended DAE’s air operator certificate for sixty days pending final ruling—effectively ending Dutch Antilles Express’s operations.
Livery
Dutch Antilles Express showcased a range of liveries on its fleet. Among the Fokker 100 aircraft, one featured the updated livery design, whereas two others maintained the older all-white scheme, displaying the DAE logo on their tail fins and the airline's website along the fuselage. There were intentions to refresh the entire fleet's appearance during upcoming C-Checks.
The McDonnell Douglas MD-83, operated by Falcon Air Express, bore a contemporary livery characterized by blue and yellow stripes representing the Caribbean sea and sunshine. This design included Curaçao’s official insignia on the engine nacelles and a sun motif on the tail section.
Destinations
As of July 2013, Dutch Antilles Express operated flights to:
Fleet
As of April 2013, Dutch Antilles Express's fleet consisted of:
| Aircraft | In service |
Orders | Passengers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATR 42-300 | 1 | — | 42 | |
| ATR 72-200 | 1 | 5 | 64 | Leased from Falcon Air Express |
| Fokker 100 | 3 | — | 100 | One undergoing C-Check |
| McDonnell Douglas MD-83 | 3 | — | 152 | Operated by Falcon Air Express |
| Total | 8 | 5 | ||
There were plans to modernize the fleet by replacing the Fokker 100 aircraft with newer models such as the Airbus A319 and Airbus A320.
Historical fleet
Dutch Antilles Express formerly operated the following aircraft:
| Aircraft | Total | Introduced | Retired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATR 42-320 | 3 | 2005 | 2012 | |
| ATR 42-500 | 1 | 2006 | 2011 | Returned to lessor |