Air Aruba suspended operations on 23 October when its three Boeing MD-90s were repossessed by Taiwanese lessor Hwa Hsia because payments were overdue. With one of the Caribbean airline's Boeing MD-88s in heavy maintenance, the other out of service with an engine problem and its sole McDonnell Douglas DC-9 barred from flying to the USA because it is not hushkitted, Air Aruba cannot now provide a scheduled service. The airline had not filed for bankruptcy protection as Flight International went to press, but has been under-capitalised since privatisation in October 1998, sources say. The Aruban Government retains a 30% stake, Venezuela's Aserca owns 10% and investors in Aserca 60%.
Source: Flight International
