‘Open Skies’ Aviation Treaty Signed with Brazil

On December 3, 2013, Curaçao and Brazil signed an ‘Open Skies’ aviation treaty. The treaty makes it possible for airlines to fly between or via both countries. According to the Minister of Traffic, Transport and Regional Planning, Earl Balborda, the treaty is an important outline that creates many possibilities for the hub function of Curaçao, as well as other economic sectors involved with air transport, including tourism. With the World Cup 2014 being held in Brazil, this could be very beneficial for Curaçao. According to Maurice Adriaens, director of Curaçao Airport Holding (CAH), several Brazilian airline companies that want to fly to the United States have to make a stopover somewhere, so the treaty allows Curaçao to be one of these hubs. Furthermore, Curaçao airline companies can now fly to Brazil, which was complicated before the treaty, due to bureaucratic reasons. Balborda hopes to expand Curaçao’s current number of treaties (13) with even more countries.