Hard work – determination – teamwork – consistent and reliable services – the secret to ten years for Caicos Express Airways.
#TurksandCaicos, December 31, 2021 – Caicos Express Airways is owned by two long-time friends and pilots: Captain Friedise Registre-CEO and Accountable Manager, and Richardson Arthur-Managing Director and Training Pilot. Both are equal owners; Captain Friedise started the company and was later joined by Captain Arthur.
The company started as a charter carrier in 2007 and In 2011, the company started scheduled flights between the islands. Ten years later, the company added International flights and continues to grow in destinations, airplanes, and passenger count.
Some of the countries Caicos Express Airways flew to are Cap Haitian Haiti, Port Au Prince Haiti, Santo Domingo Dominican Rep, Santiago Dominican Rep, and throughout Turks and Caicos. It has also operated charter flights to Jamaica, Cayman, Bahamas and the Eastern Caribbean.
The first plane that the company had was the Piper Aztec PA23; it has now retired. The company currently has three C402C and two Beechcraft 1900C. It is looking to add two aircraft in 2022.
Operations Manager Stephane Menelas commented on the 10-year achievement. He said, “We are very proud and happy. It’s been a challenging and a lot of hard work to make it to this milestone.”
Menelas added that one of the biggest challenges has been coping with each country’s constant changes and regulations. Every country has different aviation laws, jurisdictions, and immigration requirements to protect its countries and people. However, Caicos Airways, a small company, struggled to adjust in this regard.
He also said the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the company. He said that there were no scheduled flights during the initial stage of the pandemic, and the staff was reduced. Pre-pandemic, there were 65 staff members. The company is still undergoing the impact of the pandemic, but Menelas said they have managed to recover partially. Now, the staff is heading back to its previous numbers; the company now has at least 60 people on its staff.
“It’s like watching a child grow,” said Menelas, as he reflected on the milestone and the challenges the company had to overcome. He said passion keeps them going and that the team has a love affair with aviation and airplanes.
“We love what we do, and we want to keep providing great service to our customers,” he added. Menelas said the customers are also the reasons behind the ten-year milestone. He thanked them for their commitment, love, and support to Caicos Airways.
The company does not only focus on issues within the company. Menelas mentioned the company’s goals regarding the Turks and Caicos Islands. He said, “we believe in the future of this country.”
He said another goal for the company is to expand, and by doing so, there will be a need to hire and train workers, specifically young people. This is to build the country and carry on the love of aviation and the legacy of Caicos Airways.
“We are a very generous company, and we donate a lot to charitable organisations even though you will not see us publicising that. A few that we are proud of are those that are helping the children in need,” Menelas added.
He said there is one project where hot meals are provided to primary school students in need in neighbouring islands. The company also sponsored an organisation that provide school supplies to children and have transported over 12 thousand pounds of relief supplies to Haiti during their earthquake disasters.
“We almost never say NO to providing help either in cash or transporting of supplies and goods to those in need,” he said. Menelas added that Caicos Express Airways is not closed off to possibilities.
Though the company has celebrated its tenth year, one that the staff is proud of, there was no grand event or celebration. Menelas said this was to ensure the staff stays safe. He said that while the pandemic persists, the company yearns for the understanding of customers and travel relief from the authorities.
He said the company is looking forward to “more life and more strength.”