Dutch Antilles Express to make a comeback?

Failed carrier Dutch Antilles Express (Curaçao) is hoping to restart operations in the Dutch Caribbean islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao (the ABC islands), reports the Curaçao Chronicle. Former owner Nelson Ramiz has said in an interview that the new government of Curaçao, which was elected in December, has an opportunity to reinstate the carrier's Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) and allow him to relaunch the airline.

Ramiz criticised the current services provided by InselAir (Curaçao), InselAir Aruba (Aruba) and Aruba Airlines (AG, Aruba) and said that the islands need "a well-funded and visionary airline with a business plan that will develop the proper service between these islands" as well as provide direct services to the United States.

Dutch Antilles Express was declared bankrupt in September 2013 by the Court of First Instance of Curaçao after staff were not paid for more than two months. Before it went out of business, it flew from Curaçao to Aruba, Bogotá, Bonaire, Caracas Simón Bolivar, Miami International, Orlando International, Paramaribo International, Port au Prince, Santo Domingo Las Américas, St. Maarten and Valencia Arturo Michelena International. It also operated routes Aruba – Bonaire and Santo Domingo Las Américas – St. Maarten.