WILLEMSTAD – A consultant, The Wicks Group, will be hired in order to achieve a Category 1 status for Curaçao in aviation. The consultant is hired by the Curaçao Civil Aviation Authority (CCAA).

Six years ago, in 2010, Curaçao was downgraded by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to a Category 2. As a result, Curaçao can only operate limited flights to America. Since then, the goal is to get Curaçao aviation back to Category 1. Up until now, that process has not seen any tangible results yet.

According to the CCAA, the hiring of a consultant that has experience in the aviation sector is very important because it can provide training, perform certification and put all the documentation needed in order. This means that Curaçao should regain its Category 1 status soon.

This decision was met with heavy criticism from various parties in politics and in the aviation sector. The Independent Member of Parliament Omayra Leeflang recently asked the Minister responsible for the aviation sector, Suzanne Camelia-Romer why the government needs to hire a consultant for 1.3 million dollars while there is a CCAA Director who’s sole purpose is to bring the island back to Category 1.

The Independent MP was surprised with the proposal to hire a consultant to help in the upgrading and privatization of the CCAA. “Why are we paying the CCAA Director an astronomical salary?”

On their website The Wicks Group, PLLC (TWG) states that they are a Washington, DC-based law firm that specializes in providing legal assistance to aviation-related businesses and authorities. “TWG is committed to delivering the expertise and solutions needed to produce exceptional results and value for each client. Our depth of aviation experience, our commitment to excellence and client satisfaction, and our international reach place TWG at the forefront of aviation legal services firms.”

Bron: CuracaoChronicle