Surinam Airways

Surinam Airways (Dutch: Surinaamse Luchtvaart Maatschappij), also known by its initials SLM, is the flag carrier of Suriname,[1] based in Paramaribo.[2] It operates regional and long-haul scheduled passenger services. Its hub is at Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport (Zanderij). Surinam Airways is wholly owned by the Government of Suriname.

Surinam Airways
Surinaamse Luchtvaart Maatschappij
IATA ICAO Callsign
PY SLM SURINAM
Founded1953 (1953)
Commenced operations1955 (1955)
HubsJohan Adolf Pengel International Airport
Frequent-flyer programLoyal Wings
Fleet size2
Destinations10
Parent companyGovernment of Suriname
HeadquartersParamaribo, Suriname
Employees500
Websitewww.flyslm.com

History

The airline was established in 1953 by private entrepreneurs Rudi Kappel and Herman van Eyck as the Kappel-Van Eyck Aviation Company (Dutch: Luchtvaartbedrijf Kappel-Van Eyck),[3]: 18  aimed at operating feeder flights from a domestic network.[4] Scheduled operations started with two Cessna 170B in January 1955 with domestic flights between Paramaribo and Moengo.[3]

On 30 August 1962, the company was purchased from Herman van Eyck by the Surinamese government and renamed Surinam Airways or in Dutch SLM – Surinaamse Luchtvaart Maatschappij.[4][5] The logo of Surinam Airways depicts a 'Sabaku', which is a Surinamese word for cattle egret.

From 1964 Surinam Airways started scheduled international operations to Curaçao together with ALM Antillean Airlines.[3]

Upon the country's independence in November 1975 (1975-11), the carrier was appointed as the national airline of the Republic of Suriname, and it also started services to Amsterdam using a Douglas DC-8-63 (registration: PH-DEM, named '25 November') that was leased from KLM.[6]

At March 1980 (1980-03), the carrier had 400 employees. At this time, the fleet consisted of a Douglas DC-8-63, a Douglas DC-8-50CF (registration: PH-DCW, named 'Sabaku') and three Twin Otters (PZ-TCD, PZ-TCE & PZ-TCF). It operated international routes to Amsterdam, Belem, Curacao, Georgetown, Manaus, Miami and Panama City, and domestic services to Apoera, Avanavero, Bakhuys, Djoemoe, Ladouanie, Moengo and Nieuw Nickerie.[7]

From 1955 until 2005 Surinam Airways operated an extensive domestic network.[3]

In 1983 the regional routes were flown with a Boeing 737-200 (registration OY-APR) leased from Maersk Air (named 'Tjon Tjon').[8] The transatlantic route was flown with DC-8's leased from Arrow Air, DC-8-62 registered N1806 and also DC-8-63, registered N4935C, named 'Stanvaste'. From May 1993 until April 1999 a DHC-8-300 Dash 8 (registration: N106AV) was used on the regional routes.[9]

On 7 June 1989, a Douglas DC-8-62 (registration: N1809E, first named 'Fajalobi', later re-christened into 'Anthony Nesty') crashed on approach to Zanderij Airport, killing 175 occupants on board.[10]

From January 1996 until December 1999 Surinam Airways used a MD-87 (PZ-TCG, named 'District of Para') and thereafter a DC-9-51 (PZ-TCK, named 'District of Wanica') and an MD-82 (PZ-TCL, named 'City of Paramaribo') on the regional routes.

At March 2000, the airline had 543 employees.[11]

Surinam Airways Boeing 747-300

From August 2004 until the end of 2009 Surinam Airways operated a Boeing 747-300 (PZ-TCM, named 'Ronald Elwin Kappel'), which was purchased from KLM. It was replaced with a 317-seater Airbus A340-300 (PZ-TCP, named 'Palulu') and later another younger A340-300 (registration: PZ-TCR).[12][13][14]

In early 2009, Surinam Airways ordered two Boeing 737-300s (PZ-TCN, named 'District of Commewijne' and PZ-TCO, named 'District of Marrowijne') to replace its McDonnell Douglas MD-82s.[1]

A Boeing 737-700 (PZ-TCS, named 'District of Saramacca') was leased from DAE Capital and arrived on 30 April 2018 in Suriname and became operational in May 2018,[15][16] this plane was formerly flown by Air China.[17][18] In December 2018 a second Boeing 737-700 (PZ-TCT, named 'District of Brokopondo') arrived, formerly flown by Aeromexico and leased from Air Castle.

From December 2019, a Boeing 777-200ER was leased from Boeing Capital to replace the Airbus A340-300 previously used on the Paramaribo – Amsterdam route.[19] The aircraft was registered PZ-TCU, named 'Bird of the Green Paradise' with a special livery[20] and performed its first commercial ETOPS flight in December 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and possible high maintenance costs the B777 was returned in March 2021. It was parked for a while in Victorville.[21] Now Boeing is using this aircraft as its new ecoDemonstrator.[22][23]

Corporate affairs

At one time the company had its head office at Mr. Jagernath Lachmonstraat 136.[24] As of June 2013, Surinam Airways was the owner of both the only terminal in Zanderij Airport and the only ground handling company in that airport.[25]

Senior management

On 16 April 2021, the Surinamese Government, during the SLM General Meeting of shareholders, appointed Dutchman Paul de Haan as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Surinam Airways (SLM).[26][27] In January 2022 Xaviera Jessurun was appointed by the Government as chairman of the board of the SLM.[28] On 9 April 2022, Frenchman Yves Guibert was appointed as the new senior vice president operations.[29] In July 2022 the management of Surinam Airways announced the company would dry lease a Boeing 737-800 for its regional routes in order to reduce its Monthly expenditure.[30][31] The financially troubled Surinamese airline will use government owned gold company's Grassalco's gold stock as cover for financing facility converted into a term deposit for the SLM recovery plan. "The recovery plan is based on a formulated business plan, in which the revenues for the coming period are projected, based on the planned operations. With a thorough implementation of the recovery plan, it is assumed that no claim will have to be made to the coverage provided," the senior management of the company reports on 25 July 2022.[32]

List of former managing directors (presidents) and CEOs
  • R.E. Kappel (1953–1955)
  • H. van Eijck (1955–1958)
  • N. Zaal (1960–1962)
  • K.C. de Miranda (1962–1965)
  • G. Veira (1965–1970)
  • B.Th. Maes (1970–1979)
  • ir. L.C. Johanns (1979–1980)
  • ir. E. Marhé (1980–1981, acting director)
  • Mr. M. Mungra (1981–1989)
  • D.E. Deira (1989–1991, acting director)
  • R.H. Calor (1991–1994)
  • R. Lachmising (1994–2005)
  • H. Jessurun (2005–2010)
  • E. Henshuijs (2011 – January 2016)
  • L. Voigt (January 2016 – July 2016)
  • R. Lachmising (July 2016 – February 2018)
  • G. Lau (juli 2018 – July 2019)
  • R. Radjkoemar (September 2019 – October 2020)
  • J. Sandie (November 2020 – March 2021, acting director)
  • P. de Haan (March 2021 – current)[33]

Destinations
A Surinam Airways McDonnell Douglas MD-82 landing at Miami International Airport in 2009.
The sole Surinam Airways Airbus A340-300, seen here at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in 2013. In February 2014 (2014-02), it was announced that the airline would acquire another wide-body aircraft to complement its A340 on international services.[34]

Surinam Airways operates scheduled services to the following destinations, as of April 2019.[35] Terminated destinations are also listed.

Country City Airport Notes Refs
ArubaOranjestadQueen Beatrix International Airport—[35]
BarbadosBridgetownGrantley Adams International AirportTerminated[36]
BrazilBelémVal de Cães International AirportTerminated[35]
CuraçaoWillemstadHato International Airport—[35]
France, French GuianaCayenneCayenne – Félix Eboué AirportTerminated[37]
GuyanaGeorgetownCheddi Jagan International Airport—[35][38]
HaitiPort-au-PrinceToussaint Louverture International AirportTerminated[36]
NetherlandsAmsterdamAmsterdam Airport Schiphol—[35]
SurinameAvanaveroAvanavero AirstripTerminated[7]
BakhuysBakhuys AirstripTerminated[7]
DjoemoeDjoemoe AirstripTerminated[7]
AuroraLaduani AirstripTerminated[7]
MoengoMoengo AirstripTerminated[7]
Nieuw NickerieMajor Henk Fernandes AirportTerminated[7]
ParamariboJohan Adolf Pengel International AirportHub[35]
Zorg en Hoop AirportTerminated[39]
StoelmanseilandStoelmans Eiland AirstripTerminated[39]
WashaboWashabo AirportTerminated[39]
Trinidad and TobagoPort of SpainPiarco International AirportTerminated[40]
United StatesMiamiMiami International Airport—[35]
OrlandoOrlando Sanford International AirportTerminated[35][41]

Codeshare agreements

Fleet

Current

As of March 2023, the Surinam Airways fleet consists of the following aircraft:

Surinam Airways Fleet
Aircraft In service Orders Passengers Notes
J Y Total
Airbus A340-300 1 — 32 225 257 [43]
Boeing 737-800 1 — 12 138 150 [44]
Total 2 —


A former Surinam Airways Boeing 737-300

Retired

Surinam Airways operated the following aircraft throughout its history:[45][46][47]

Accidents and incidents

See also

References
  1. Pilling, Mark (24 December 2008). "Putting Surinam on the map". Flightglobal.com. Airline Business. Archived from the original on 9 October 2012. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  2. "Offices in Surinam." Surinam Airways. Retrieved on 6 January 2011. "HEAD OFFICE Mr. Jagernath Lachmonstraat 136 POBox: 2029 Paramaribo – Suriname"
  3. LM Publishers. "ISSUU – Flying on trusted wings English version by LM Publishers". Issuu. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  4. "World airline directory–Surinaamse Luchtvaart Maatschapptj (Surinam Airways—SLM)". Flight International: 1401. 28 April 1979. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  5. "World Airline Directory–Surinaamse Luchvaart Maatschappij (Surinam Airways-SLM)". Flight International: 939. 2 April 1983. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  6. "World Airline Directory–Surinaamse Luchtvaart Maatschapptj NV (Surinam Airways—SLM)". Flight International: 959. 10 April 1976. Archived from the original on 29 July 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  7. "World airline directory – Surinaamse Lutchtvaart Maatschappij (Surinam Airways—SLM)". Flight International. 118 (3716): 358. 26 July 1980. ISSN 0015-3710. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013.
  8. Suriname. "Suriname – Paramaribo". suriname.nu (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  9. "CEO Paul de Haan – Hoogte en dieptepunten". dbsuriname.com (in Dutch). 31 August 2021.
  10. "Operations: Air transport – Safety board slams illegal crewing". Flight International. 137 (4215): 12. 9–15 May 1990. ISSN 0015-3710. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013.
  11. "World airline directory–Surinam Airways". Flight International. 157 (4720): 102. 21–27 March 2000. ISSN 0015-3710. Archived from the original on 28 November 2018.
  12. Veerman, Ronald (25 November 2009). "Suriname Jumboloos". De Telegraaf (in Dutch). Amsterdam. Archived from the original on 14 May 2015.
  13. "PZ-TCM Surinam Airways Boeing 747-300M". planespotters.net. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  14. "nieuwe SLM A340 vertrekt tweede kerstdag vanaf Schiphol". luchtvaartnieuws.nl (in Dutch). 26 December 2015.
  15. "SLM receives first Boeing 737-700". luchtvaartnieuws.nl. 20 April 2018. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  16. "SLM krijgt nieuw toestel; Lachmising en delegatie reizen af naar china | Public Nieuws". Archived from the original on 15 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  17. Somsen, Rob (18 February 2018). "SLM directie naar China voor nieuwe 737-700".
  18. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  19. "Surinam Airways 777". onemileatatime.com. 23 June 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  20. "Surinam Airways takes delivery of its first Boeing 777". 28 December 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  21. Woerkom, Klaas-Jan van (3 March 2021). "Surinam Airways stuurt enige Boeing 777 naar de woestijn". Luchtvaartnieuws (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  22. "Boeing 777 EcoDemonstrator". CNN. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  23. "See Inside Boeing 777 EcoDemonstrator". businessinsider.com. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  24. "World Airline Directory." Flight International. March 24–30, 1993. 125. "Coppenamelaan 136, Paramaribo, Republic of Suriname"
  25. "DAE forces SLM to provide ground handling services in Zanderij". Willemstad: Curaçao Chronicle. 3 June 2013. Archived from the original on 10 June 2013.
  26. "Surinaamse regering wil Nederlander aan het roer bij Surinam Airways". luchtvaartnieuws.nl (in Dutch). 6 March 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  27. "Paul de Haan vanaf vandaag officieeel nieuwe CEO SLM". waterkant (in Dutch). 16 April 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  28. "Surinam Airways cancels several flights facing severe financial problems". jamaicaobserver.com. 8 June 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  29. "SLM bevestigt nieuwe buitenlandse senior vice president operations". waterkant (in Dutch). 10 April 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  30. "Surinam Airways dry lease Boeing 737-800". gatechecked.com. 20 May 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  31. "Surinam Airways sluit overeenkomst voor dry-lease Boeing 737-800". luchtvaartnieuws.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  32. "SLM inzet Grassalco goudvoorraad". waterkant (in Dutch). Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  33. "SLM maakt doorstart met US$102 miljoen schuld". starnieuws.com (in Dutch). Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  34. "Surinam Airways to acquire a B767 in 2015 to aid international ops". ch-aviation GmbH. 26 February 2014. Archived 26 September 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  35. "Flight Schedule (Effective 24 March 2019 (2019-03-24)–27 October 2019 (2019-10-27))". Surinam Airways. Archived from the original on 11 April 2019.
  36. "World Airline Directory–Surinam Airways". Flight International. 155 (4668): 99. 17–23 March 1999. ISSN 0015-3710. Archived from the original on 27 November 2018.
  37. "La compagnie Surinam Airways ne desservira plus la Guyane à compter du 1er juin".
  38. "Inaugurele vlucht van de SLM naar Guyana". Waterkant.Net (in Dutch). 5 April 2012. Archived from the original on 6 April 2012.
  39. "Surinam Airways Timetable (Effective 25 April 1982–31 October 1982)". Airline Timetable Images. Archived from the original on 14 December 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  40. "Suriname Airways to reintroduce flights to T&T". associatestimes.com. 26 May 2022. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  41. "Surinam Airways Adds Orlando Sanford Flight July – Sep 2015". Airlineroute.net. 23 June 2015. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  42. "TUI Netherlands / Surinam Airways plans codeshare service from April 2017". Routesonline. 9 February 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
  43. "Surinam Airways takes an in-house A340-300". ch-aviation. 15 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  44. "Surinam Airways Receives Its 1st Boeing 737-800". Simple Flying. 18 December 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
  45. "Sabaku in-flight magazine" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016.
  46. "SubFleets for: Surinam Airways". AeroTransport Data Bank. 18 July 2013. Archived from the original on 4 May 2015.
  47. "Database compiled by Arno Landewers". landewers.net. 6 November 2021.
  48. "SLM maakt eerste lijnvlucht met 'nieuwe' Boeing 737-752 vanuit Suriname" (in Dutch). waterkant.net. 3 February 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2019./
  49. "SLM verwelkomt 2e boeing 737-700" (in Dutch). dagbladdewest.com. 11 December 2018. Retrieved 24 December 2018./
  50. "Nieuwe SLM Boeing land vanavond op Zanderij" (in Dutch). DAGonline.nl. 16 April 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  51. "Surinam Airways Fleet". ch-aviation GmbH. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013.
  52. Harro Ranter (5 May 1978). "ASN Aircraft accident Douglas DC-6A N3493F Paramaribo-Zanderij International Airport (PBM)". Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  53. Accident description for N1809E at the Aviation Safety Network

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