MARIGOT--Air Antilles Express Director Eric Coury confirmed Tuesday that he plans to relocate his company to Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) in September, citing his company's inability to absorb the 10-euro tax on each air ticket implemented by the Collectivité, as "survival" is paramount. He had previously indicated July 15 as a departure date from Grand Case Airport.
"The tax is not compatible with my company's situation, and this on top of the previous 12-euro tax," said Coury. "These two taxes amount to a 35-per-cent increase, resulting in a 15-per-cent drop in business."
He complained that the Collectivité had never told him about the tax beforehand and no meeting with President Richardson had ever been proposed.
Coury's statements follow on the heels of Monday's meeting over the controversial tax, between PJIA Operating Company Director Regina Labega and officials of Air Antilles Express and Air Caraïbes.
Coury indicated that the meeting with Labega consisted of "very constructive exchanges." He noted that he did not have to sign anything to move to PJIA, because Air Caraïbes is there already and Air Antilles has traffic rights at the airport.
In a brief comment, Labega said she had not been previously aware of the airlines threatening to move to PJIA, until she had read an article in The Daily Herald last week Saturday. She noted that although Air Caraïbes was a client of the airport, Monday was the first time she had met representatives of the two airlines. She described the meeting as an "exploratory" one, discussing opportunities and other issues.
Allegations that PJIA was "rolling out the red carpet" with special dispensations as suggested by Air Antilles Express were dismissed by Labega.
Head Manager of Air Caraïbes in Guadeloupe Richard Degryse commented, "It was a preliminary contact with Princess Juliana International Airport. We haven't made any decisions and she [Labega-Ed.] has not made any offers to anybody."
Meanwhile, the prospect of one or at worst, two airlines leaving Grand Case will have a severe impact on jobs and the economy at Grand Case Airport.
The association of car rental companies at Grand Case said in a release that the departure of Air Antilles Express "does not permit us to engage in contracts previewed previously in the context of the development of the airport."
"The departure of this company [Air Antilles-Ed.] will result in further loss of business in an economy that is already precarious. It will not allow us to keep staff, our offices and spaces reserved to welcome passengers. It also impacts suppliers, hotels and bus and taxi operators. The weakest companies will fall first. In view of the economic situation, we urge that these decisions be reversed."
The association said one company was already considering re-locating to the Dutch side.
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