dominicl316 wrote:
The InterCaribbean routes you propose would end up empty on the EIS-STT sector, as US regulations require a US visa for even a stopover in a US territory.303dk wrote:
I honestly think that you'll see STT-SDQ before someone tries STT-ANU again. The VFR and more and more business traffic is that way.
We would see EIS-SDQ before we ever see STT-SDQ. Jetblue has cornered most of that market. Keep in mind they also have the ability to route passengers via their SJU hub to multiple destinations in the DR: SDQ, PUJ and STI.
I agree with you about the EIS SDQ. B6 can already carry the DR VFR via SJU and no one else can do so. Right now there is no way to do EIS SDQ in one day.
InterCarib is already doing PLS SJU EIS so they have figured out the in-transit bit. STT SKB is the healthiest of the USVI markets given that there are more Kittitians and Nevisians living in the USVI than other islanders, and most Kittitians are in STT. Also given the proximity of SKB to STT I suspect the ties linking the USVI communities with their homelands are probably strongest with SKB and weakest with SLU, which is far away and a hassle to get to, and so only the most essential travel will happen, meaning few during off peak periods.
What interests me is that there doesn't seem to be a clamor about this. Even the ANU PM isn't disturbed by LIAT ending service and in fact endorsed it if it meant that LI was going to reduce its losses. So is there a large constituency that really wants this service? In order to convince Air Antilles to use its valuable ATRs (see comments by yoni on this) there has to be assurance that there is year round demand for this service. Because to use an ATR to be timed to connect with WMs flights from SXM to SKB NEV ANU and DOM (and via FDF to SLU) ties up that plane at a time when it can be used to connect with AF flights.