~ Gumbs calls for pension security for employees ~
Windward Islands Airways International N.V. (WINAIR) marked its 65th anniversary with a special stakeholder celebration in St. Maarten, bringing together government officials, shareholders, aviation and tourism partners, business leaders, employees, friends of the airline and guests from across the Caribbean.
The anniversary, which falls on August 24, provided an opportunity to reflect on WINAIR’s six-and-a-half decades of connecting islands, communities, families, businesses and opportunities, while also highlighting the challenges and responsibilities that come with securing the airline’s future. Among those addressing the gathering was Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs, who praised WINAIR for its financial performance, operational stability and enduring contribution to St. Maarten and the wider North-eastern Caribbean. At the same time, she used the milestone to call for greater attention to the long-term welfare of the airline’s employees, including the establishment of a formal pension plan.
The anniversary reception, held at the Bellevue property of Louis Fleming, attracted a broad cross-section of St. Maarten’s political, business and aviation communities. Prime Minister, Dr. Luc Mercelina; Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT), Grisha Heyliger-Martin; and President of Parliament, Sarah Wescot-Williams, were among the officials attending. Representatives of WINAIR’s founding families were also present, including Brenda Wathey, who represented her late father, WINAIR co-founder Norman “Chester” Wathey; as well as George Greaux Sr., connected to one of the airline’s founding families. PJIA Director Michael Clever and international guests from neighbouring islands and regional airlines also attended.
WINAIR’s story began in St. Maarten on August 24, 1961, when pioneering aviators Georges Émilien Gréaux and Hippolyte “Faustin” Lédée joined forces with businessman Norman “Chester” Wathey to establish dependable island-to-island air transportation. That vision quickly developed into a vital regional service. In 1963, WINAIR inaugurated regular flights to Saba, becoming the first airline to provide scheduled service to the island. Two years later, in 1965, the iconic Twin Otter joined the fleet, becoming synonymous with WINAIR and Caribbean aviation.
During the anniversary celebration, special recognition was given to the Wathey, Lédée and Gréaux families in honour of the founders whose vision laid the foundation for the airline. Over the decades, WINAIR has grown from a local operation into an important regional carrier, maintaining air links among St. Maarten, Saba, St. Eustatius and other destinations in the North-eastern Caribbean. Its role extends well beyond tourism. For smaller islands, reliable air service is essential for access to medical care, education, government services, commerce and employment, while also helping families and communities remain connected. Gumbs highlighted the difficulty of operating an airline in the Caribbean, pointing to economic downturns, inflationary pressures, global supply-chain disruptions and natural disasters as challenges the industry has repeatedly faced.
Despite those pressures, WINAIR has continued to operate and develop its network. The airline currently operates more than 25,000 flights and carries more than 330,000 passengers annually, according to figures highlighted during the anniversary celebrations. Recent initiatives, including increased passenger volumes and the introduction of modern aircraft, have further strengthened the airline’s position and supported efforts to expand and improve its regional network. For St. Maarten, a shareholder in WINAIR, the airline’s ability to remain solvent, self-sustaining and commercially competitive represents an important achievement. But Gumbs stressed that the company’s success should also be measured by how it supports the people behind the operation.
While congratulating WINAIR’s board, management and employees, Gumbs placed particular emphasis on pilots, cabin crew, maintenance engineers, ground personnel and administrative staff whose work keeps the airline operating safely and reliably. She mentioned that WINAIR’s financial stability should be accompanied by stronger long-term retirement security for its workforce: “As we celebrate this major milestone, we must also look ahead to securing the future of the people who make WINAIR’s success possible,” Gumbs said. The minister said it is “high time” for WINAIR employees to receive a formal and comprehensive pension plan comparable to arrangements available at other government-owned companies in St. Maarten. She described retirement security as both a matter of fairness and equity and an important component of good corporate governance. Her remarks added a forward-looking dimension to an otherwise celebratory evening, underscoring that WINAIR’s next chapter will involve not only aircraft, destinations and financial performance, but also the people who have kept the airline flying.
The official anniversary programme featured remarks from WINAIR CEO Hans van de Velde, Minister Heyliger-Martin, Prime Minister Mercelina and Parliament President Wescot-Williams. The event celebrated the contributions of employees, passengers, shareholders, governments, airports, business partners and aviation stakeholders who have helped WINAIR navigate 65 years of change. From hurricanes and shifting markets to the unprecedented disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the airline has repeatedly had to adapt to circumstances beyond its control. Yet its central mission has remained consistent: Connecting the people and communities of the Caribbean.
As WINAIR enters its 66th year, the anniversary comes at a time when the airline is looking toward continued financial sustainability, fleet development, network growth and stronger regional connectivity. The airline is also inviting passengers to participate directly in its anniversary celebrations through a special promotion. Under the 65th Anniversary Super Deal, customers can receive 65% off WINAIR fares on all routes, excluding applicable taxes and fees, using promotional code WM65YRS when booking through WINAIR’s official website. The promotional travel period runs from August 28 through October 31, 2026. The offer provides residents, visitors and regional travellers with an opportunity to experience WINAIR’s network while marking a milestone that belongs not only to the airline, but to the Caribbean communities it has served for generations. After 65 years, WINAIR’s aircraft and operations may look different from those of 1961, but the purpose remains familiar: Keeping the islands connected.
The anniversary celebration was therefore both a look back at where WINAIR came from and a statement of intent about where it hopes to go next – with a stronger network, continued investment in its people and partnerships, and a commitment to keeping the Caribbean connected for decades to come.
