If all goes well, SLM wants to start operating its A330s on the Mid-Atlantic Route at the beginning of February 2022. The aircraft in question is currently under examination in Turkey and is expected to take place in the second week of December.

This was announced by Leo Brunswick, a commissioner for the Surinamese Lochtevart Matchapege (SLM) after a meeting with President Chandrikapersad Santokhi on Friday. The Head of State welcomed the SLM Board of Directors and Supervision and representatives of NV Airport Management into his Cabinet. During the visit, the President was briefed on the lease contract for the A330 that had been published.

Among the attendees were First Lady Melissa Senacchiri Santoje, Ministers Albert Gobithana of Transport, Communications and Tourism (TCT) and Albert Ramdin of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation (BIBIS) and SLM Director Paul de Haan and member of the Supervisory Board Leo Brunswick. The President was also briefed on the financial benefits that come from owning his own aircraft fund. SLM currently flies an Airbus A330 and A340 leased from Air Belgium, among others.

According to Brunswijk, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Suriname (CASAS) has already been contacted to ensure that this box complies with safety rules. “With its fund, SLM can deliver better on-time performance. Brunswick says the chance of delay is less and service is better. Lobbying is underway to replenish the SLM fleet as soon as possible. This box is a start for this.”

In September, it was announced that the SLM was in talks with a leasing company about the possibility of leasing an Airbus A330-200, who have previously traveled to KLM. But according to Dagblad De West, the plane, for which a contract has now been signed, was previously used by Virgin Australia. This is the second largest airline in Australia.