On the occasion of Windward Islands Airways International N.V.’s (WINAIR) 65th anniversary, the Minister of Finance, the Honorable Marinka Gumbs, extends her heartfelt congratulations to the board, management, staff, and passengers of Sint Maarten’s national carrier.
Founded in 1961 by pioneers Georges Greaux, Hippolyte Ledee, and Chester Wathey, WINAIR has grown from a humble local flight operation into an indispensable regional airline. Over six and a half decades, the airline has served as an essential lifeline, bridging the islands of the North Eastern Caribbean, (particularly our Windward Islands- Saba and St. Eustatius), boosting commerce, supporting tourism, facilitating healthcare access, and keeping families connected across our waters.
Reflecting on the airline’s storied journey, Minister Gumbs highlighted WINAIR’s impressive financial performance and operational stability, particularly when set against the backdrop of the broader Caribbean aviation sector.
“Operating an airline in the Caribbean is notoriously challenging,” stated Minister Gumbs. “We have witnessed high-profile regional carriers encounter severe financial distress, require massive public bailouts, or collapse entirely under the weight of surging operational costs, volatile fuel prices, and fierce competition. In sharp contrast, WINAIR has demonstrated remarkable resilience, discipline, and fiscal prudence.”
While major regional players have struggled to remain solvent, WINAIR has consistently managed to navigate severe economic downturns, global supply chain bottlenecks, inflationary pressures, and the devastating impacts of natural disasters. Recent expansion initiatives, including record passenger volumes and the introduction of modern aircraft to expand its destination network, stand as a testament to strategic management and sound governance.
“WINAIR has established itself as a model of financial resilience in a rather turbulent industry. It’s ability to remain solvent, self-sustaining, and commercially competitive is a point of pride for Sint Maarten as a shareholder country. It proves that with prudent financial management and a clear operational focus, state-owned enterprises can deliver exceptional service while maintaining strong balance sheets,” the Minister noted.
While celebrating WINAIR’s commercial success and operational longevity, Minister Gumbs emphasized that an airline’s true strength lies not merely in its fleet or flight schedules, but in the steadfast commitment of its workforce. From pilots and cabin crew to maintenance engineers, ground staff, and administrative personnel, the dedication of WINAIR’s employees has kept the airline flying safely for 65 years.
In light of the company’s solid financial footing, Minister Gumbs highlighted a vital structural priority regarding employee welfare and long-term security.
“As we celebrate this major milestone, we must also look ahead to securing the future of the people who make WINAIR’s success possible,” Minister Gumbs stated. “In my humble view, it is high time that WINAIR employees are provided with a formal, comprehensive pension plan, aligning the airline with all the other government-owned companies in Sint Maarten.”
The Minister stressed that financial sustainability must go hand-in-hand with social responsibility. While workers in other public entities enjoy structured retirement coverage, many dedicated personnel at WINAIR face an uncertain retirement future without a standardized corporate pension framework.
“WINAIR workers deserve peace of mind when their years of service come to an end,” Minister Gumbs said. “Giving employees a proper pension is not just an added benefit; it is a fundamental matter of fairness, equity, and good corporate governance. If WINAIR can achieve financial stability and profitability in one of the world’s most challenging industries, it can – and must – allocate the resources necessary to safeguard the golden years of its employees.”
As WINAIR commemorates its 65th anniversary, we remain fully committed to supporting the airline’s continued growth, modern governance standards, and long-term strategic viability.
“I applaud the Executive Board, the Supervisory Board of Directors, and every single employee – past and present – who has contributed to WINAIR’s enduring legacy,” Minister Gumbs stated, adding: “Sixty-five years of being our standard bearer in a very difficult aviation sector is a remarkable milestone by any measure.
“By combining commercial sustainability, operational safety and efficiency with a renewed commitment to its workers’ well-being, WINAIR is guaranteed to remain a beacon of hope in Caribbean aviation for generations to come,” Minister Marinka Gumbs concluded.
