Farewell, ATR-42: BIGGER AMERICAN EAGLE IN DECEMBER

Members of the flight crew and local staff of the American Eagle stood outside the last of the ATR-42 aircraft to fly into Wallblake Airport in Anguilla on Tuesday, September 7, in a gesture of farewell, as tourists and other passengers boarded the plane for San Juan, Puerto Rico. While it taxied down the shoulder of the runway for take-off two fire trucks, positioned on either side, showered an arc of water overhead in salute to the airline for its service to Anguilla which began in November 1986.

Captain Freddy Rodriques, who has piloted that type of aircraft for six and a half years, told reporters that the new ATR-72 to land in Anguilla on December 17 was faster, more efficient and would carry more weight. He added that he was looking forward to flying it into Anguilla and the other islands.

The withdrawal of the ATR-42 aircraft comes as Wallblake Airport is being extended to accommodate larger American Eagle planes as well as those operated by other airlines.

Manager of the airline’s business office in Anguilla, Millie Hodge, who also has responsibility for other islands, said it was both a sad and a happy occasion. It was regrettable because of the temporary disruption of service to customers and the laying off of workers (although Government had found them other jobs in the interim).

“It was a happy occasion also because it means the beginning of a new era with the super 72-seater aircraft flying into Anguilla from December 17 and bringing more passengers,” she stated. “It also means that with the completed runway, we will be able to land with no restrictions, coming in with a full payload of passengers and baggage.” She was also happy that among the services at the runway will be a fuelling facility, a critical necessity to the aircraft’s operations.

She felt that with the improved airport and the coming on stream of the golf course and other projects later, that the new aircraft would play a significant role in the development of the island.

Mrs. Hodge said that during the interim (between now and December 17), the American Eagle’s Office, staffed by three persons, would continue to operate daily for ticketing for persons wishing to travel to St. Maarten for connecting flights there. The flights to St. Maarten would be provided by WINAIR, Trans-Anguilla Airways and other airlines. Persons may also wish to travel across on the ferryboats.

While the majority of the staff in Anguilla will be otherwise temporarily employed, as mentioned earlier, Mrs. Hodge will continue to see about the airline’s interests in Anguilla, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Maarten, Antigua, Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.

She said that during the interim she would be working more closely with all of the islands to develop a closer relationship and to make the transition process easier for everyone.

Two hoteliers, Manager of CuisinArt Resort and Spa, Rabin Ortiz, and one of its principals, Bob Dixon, were at the airport to see off the last of their guests for the season as well as the last flight of the American Eagle’s ATR-42.

They praised the airline for being a good business partner with the hotel and said that the coming ATR-72 aircraft was something new and better to look forward to.

Other airlines which suspended their normal flights to the island, to allow more construction work to proceed on the runway were LIAT and Caribbean Star. They should resume flights to Anguilla on October 16.

In the meantime the smaller planes, including the twin-otto and islander, will be permitted to use the airstrip.