How would island hopping be made possible without wings? The ExelAviationGroup was introduced to the islands about one year ago. They launched BonairExel first, and met with immediate success. Why? Because they operated on time, and gave the ailing Dutch Caribbean Airline flying those busy, business and leisure routes good, healthy competition. Harm Prins President and Chief Executive Officer of the group hosted a party on Bonaire last week with the culmination of his company's first year of operation on the islands.
Prins invited dignitaries from Curacao & Bonaire for an island hopping experience on board the company's luxurious Boeing 767-300. About 80 politicians, movers and shakers as well as aviation officials and members of the media took part in the festivities culminating with a cocktail party at Flamingo International on Bonaire. Exel Aviation Group already offers its service in Holland, Belgium, Italy, Germany, France & the Dutch Caribbean operating both reasonably priced transatlantic and regional flights. From its Flamingo Airport headquarters the company boards seven flights a day to Curacao and three flights a day to Aruba, as well as two flights a day between the islands of Curacao & Aruba.
Next on the company’s agenda, Aruba Exel. According to Prins, in Aruba, the bureaucratic process is very supportive at first, and then things get quagmired towards the end. In Bonaire he says, it’s the opposite - establishing was at first quite difficult, until it became a breeze. Thus said, Aruba Exel is almost-almost here. The company already established a head office on the boulevard within 3 minutes from the airport and it is in the process of hiring local staff including pilots, to become a true-blue Aruban company. With the full introduction of Aruba Exel, Caracas, Las Piedras & Maracaibo will be within easy reach of travelers both South American and Antillean. The Exel Aviation Group is a dynamic young company, and Prins is pushing for growth in both Europe and the Caribbean especially in the Antilles and on Aruba, and rumor has it that the government wants the company to also pick up DCA and rehabilitate it. Ok, if I have to says Prins, unofficially, but without the airline’s liabilities!
I met Prins, almost by accident, sipping coffee at Hotel Kura Hulanda’s Village Café in Curacao. He was keeping Director of Sales Bettina Daal company. The dynamic, young executive started his career at a NavalAcademy. Then he opened a chain of marine equipment stores – selling speedboats in Israel and sailboats in Portugal. When the Holland-Marine stores were bought out by an American company Harm became a millionaire at the tender age of 24. The following year, he lost his fortune in just eighteen months on an aviation adventure with an equally inexperienced friend. Broke and disillusioned he gained renewed respect for work and became a better person sweating as a day laborer, a ship stevedore on the docks. When he ventured back into business he was superbly prepared, and humble he says. His second chance came when he embarked on the idea that airline catering carts can be reconditioned and sold second-hand. I swear I am not making this story up. Harm Prins is a Prince, having endured the Pauper years he now is determined to propel ExelAviationGroup into the future. With ArubaExel coming on line the company will transport more than 500 people daily between Aruba & Curacao and allow the islands to draw tourists from hard to reach places. As I previously reported in the NEWS, BonairExel in alliance with De Palm Tours and Hotel Kura Hulanda will be operating a daily island tour to Curacao in the near future, which is in great demand. Our visitors are curious and would like to venture out to explore other islands providing, of course, the flights leave on time.
Sjoerd and the BonairExel girls in Flamingo Airport
