Suriname News Businessman Jovenel Moise Sworn In as Haiti’s President Insel Air loses $ 1.5 million every month
CURACAO – “Insel Air is currently suffering financial losses of about $1 to $1.5 million per month,” said InselAir CEO Gilles Filiatreault. “We must stop the bleeding stat. We must stop it wherever it is necessary. We must be determined,” said Filiatreault who added that he wonders if InselAir must remain on Aruba. Insel Air and the government of Curaçao recently inked an agreement regarding a loan of 33 million guilders (18.6 million dollars) payable in installments depending on the implementation of a stabilization plan. The government provides the loan to InselAir under certain guarantees and conditions. For the people of Curaçao it is paramount that the access to other destinations is guaranteed where security is of primary importance. The Curaçao economy and employment, in particular, are heavily dependent on reliable air links, including with neighboring countries. As security for this loan, the government obtains more pledge and usufruct on 51% of the shares in the operating companies of InselAir. The government acquires all normal shareholder rights, without becoming the owner. M. Sluis (‘Juni’), who is one of the Senior Captains within InselAir was recently appointed as Deputy Chief Executive Officer Flight Operations and Technical. The executives at InselAir on Tuesday visited Aruba to find out what must be done to get the 4 MD planes in the air again. The planes have been grounded for nearly 2 weeks due to aviation safety reasons following an inspection by the Department of Civil Aviation of Aruba (DCA).
“We want to get to the bottom of this,”Filiatreault told Perspektiva, a radio program from Radio Z86. “We still do not know what the Department of Civil Aviation of Aruba wants us to do.” Insel Air will reportedly meet with Edwin Kelly, director at the Department of Civil Aviation of Aruba and has also requested a meeting with Aruba’s Transport minister, Mike de Meza. Filiatreault is also scheduled to meet with the personnel at Insel AirAruba.
Insel Air is prepared to fully cooperate with the Department of Civil Aviation of Aruba so that it planes can be operational again as soon as possible. Filiatreault explained that it seemed as if a new demand is presented every time. “That is why we want the whole package so that we can give it our full attention and priority,” said the new CEO. “Maybe I am being too blunt,” said Filiatreault. “But what if we must end all of our Aruba operations?” Filiatreault reminded the talk show host that when he had to clean the mess at LIAT, politicians interfered.
LIAT had two bases of operations namely one at Antigua and the other at Barbados. The governments of both islands wanted LIAT to maintain all of its operations. But due to business economical reasons, LIAT decided to gradually close up shop at Barbados and to focus on its development from Antigua. HAITI - Jovenel Moïse was sworn in as the president of Haiti Tuesday morning, following an extended and complicated two-year election cycle. Moïse took the oath of office in a Parliament chamber surrounded by Haitian lawmakers and foreign dignitaries. Moïse, whom former Haitian President Michel Martelly hand-picked as his Bald Heads Party (PHTK) candidate, won with nearly 56 percent of the votes cast in the November 20 election. The Haitian businessman, 48, faces lingering accusations of money laundering. Late last month, Moïse spent four hours answering an investigative judge’s questions in a closed Port-au-Prince courtroom, in a process similar to that of a U.S. grand jury. He has denied the allegation, claiming it is politically motivated. His political opponents, including at least two other candidates for the presidency, had pressed for a decision by Tuesday. Late Monday evening, the government’s prosecuting attorney, Danton Leger, released a statement announcing he would return the case to Judge Bredy Fabien to investigate further.More people have yet to be interviewed, including Moise’s wife, Martine Joseph. The investigation could take months to complete.”For a lack of adequate tools in the justice system, it is impossible to make a definitive decision” by the inaugural date on whether to charge Moïse, Leger’s statement said.
The United States, France and Venezuela were among the countries that sent delegations to attend the inauguration. Thomas Shannon, undersecretary of state for political affairs, led the U.S. delegation, which included Peter Mulrean, the U.S. ambassador to Haiti, the White House said Monday. (voanews.com)