Information for airlines
Next to aircraft registration and financing, David Wever, partner at AMDC Law, is also specialized in legal regulatory matters regarding airlines with operations to Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao and Sint Maarten.
General Information
Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten are separate constituent countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Each is considered a separate jurisdiction with their own rules and regulations and each country has its own governmental departments responsible for civil aviation and the issuance. Bonaire is a public body (comparable with a municipality) of the Netherlands. The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport) of the Netherlands is the competent authority for civil aviation matters on Bonaire.
Foreign Air Carrier Operating Permit
When airlines expand their wings to new frontiers, they must also deal with permitting issues to make such endeavor possible. This requires a local knowledge of the applicable rules and regulations. Knowing the right channels more than often facilitates the process. AMDC Law possesses this knowledge and can assist airlines in hassle free licensing process for operations to Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao and Sint Maarten.
Obtaining a permit in one of these jurisdictions may be facilitated by applicable open sky agreements between the home base country of the airline and one or more of the islands. Our services include reviewing applicable open sky agreements (if any) and advising on the same.
We also advise on the documents required to accompany a petition directed at the respective civil aviation authorities and also assist in drafting the required petition. Furthermore, we liaise and follow up with the the Departments of Civil Aviation and with local airports on behalf of the airline for speedy results. The same service is provided for the renewal process of existing operating permits.
Regulatory Matters
Depending on the type of operation to the islands, a local representative may be required by the respective Departments of Civil Aviation. AMDC Law will advise on whether or not a local representative will be required and can also assist in identifying and engaging a local representative.
Airlines are required to be in compliance with local regulatory rules and regulations. It is our expedience that airlines wish to be in compliance with local laws at all times. AMDC law advises airlines on all legal requirements in order to achieve and maintain total compliance.
We also advise on all operational matters, such as goods airlines may have on board duty free for the local operation, accepting local payments, passengers and baggage issues and liability.
Recently assisted
- two mergers from a local law perspective of major United States airlines, including the re-licensing in connection therewith in Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire;
- advising on compliance issues and employment matters of a major United States airline with operations to Aruba and Sint Maarten;
- an Aruba airline with the lease of an aircraft from a leasing company in the United States;
- a major United States airline with advice on goods and passengers on board and baggage issues.
