WILLEMSTAD – Starting July 14, Z Air will begin operating flights between Curaçao and St. Maarten using its newly acquired Embraer 140 aircraft. The initial launch will be a soft start, offering three round trips per week, with plans to expand to daily service in the coming weeks once a second aircraft is operational. 

The current schedule includes departures from Curaçao at 8:15 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, arriving in St. Maarten around 9:30 a.m.. Return flights leave St. Maarten at 10:45 a.m., landing back in Curaçao just before noon. On Fridays, flights will be operated in the afternoon. 

According to Z Air director René Winkel, the launch follows months of preparation. “We first had to certify the aircraft, train our technical team, and then conduct training for both pilots and cabin crew,” Winkel said. “The entire process took several months to complete.” 

Following the launch of the St. Maarten route, Z Air plans to expand its operations with scheduled flights to Medellín, Colombia, among other destinations. 

Faster, More Efficient Flights 

Winkel emphasizes that Z Air holds a competitive advantage due to the speed of the Embraer aircraft, which are significantly faster than most other planes currently servicing the route. 

“We save nearly an hour per flight,” said Winkel. “That’s a significant time gain. We’re faster getting to St. Maarten and back. Time is money—for us and for our passengers.” 

The new route is highly anticipated by travelers, especially following the exit of JetAir from the market, which left a capacity gap on the Curaçao–St. Maarten route. Z Air aims to fill that gap with efficient service and improved travel times.