Bonaire Airport Update

Starting December 1, 2008, Bonaire International Airport N.V. will charge each departing passenger a service charge.

This service charge amounts to Ang 3.-- and will be added to the existing passenger facility charge (airport tax). This means that departing passengers for domestic destinations will pay Ang 15,50 and Ang 63,50 international destinations .

Departing passengers of age 60+ or 12- and who are residents of either the Netherlands Antilles or Aruba and have a domestic destination pay Ang 10.50. Children under 2 years are exempt.

The service charge is charged as of December 1, 2008, due to the deployment of the new AirportConnect CUTE system. CUTE stands for Common Use Terminal Equipment.

This is a common use system whereby all airlines can use each of the 12 available check-in counters at the Flamingo Airport. More flexibility is obtained while the processing capacity of passengers at the check-in counters is increased and made more efficient. This leads to a much better service for the departing passenger.

The present check-in system works with so called dedicated check-in counters which are only usable by one particular airline and cannot be used by other airlines, thus restricting processing capacity. Furthermore, FIDS, Flight Information Display System will provide a real time display of the status of flights as a service enhancement to our customers. In addition to the scheduled arrival or departure times, information can be displayed such as “Departed”, “Delayed”, “Boarding”, etc.

As passenger numbers increase and security requirements grow, air travel becomes more stressful and time consuming for passengers. Travellers are looking for an easier, quicker, more efficient passage through the airport.
Bonaire International Airport continues to strive in providing a more efficient and speedier flow while at the same time meeting the passenger’s needs.

South Africa Tourist Advisory

The passports of all US Citizens traveling to South Africa must contain at least two blank (unstamped) visa pages each time entry is sought; these pages are in addition to the endorsement/amendment pages at the back of the passport. Otherwise, travelers, even when in possession of a valid South African visa, may be refused entry into South Africa, fined, and returned to their point of origin at their own expense. Visitors to South Africa for tourism, short business meetings, or those in transit do not require visas for stays of up to 90 days. For the latest entry requirements as well as security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet site at http://travel.state.gov

While most of South Africa is malaria free, malaria risk exists throughout the year in rural low-altitude areas, coastal lowlands and parts of Kruger National Park. Visitors should prepare accordingly and use malaria prophylaxis. For information on malaria, its prevention, protection from insect bites, and anti-malarial drugs, please visit the CDC travelers' health web site at http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/index.htm. Information on vaccinations and other health precautions necessary to travelers may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDCs Internet site at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx.

United States Travel Requirements

Beginning October 1, 2007, passport applications will no longer be accepted in lieu of an actual passport for entry into and departure from the United States. The use of temporary identification was implemented in June by the U. S. Department of State due to a backlog of passport applications.

The U.S. Passport Department has restored passport service to the standard six-to-eight-week processing time for routine passport applications and no more than three weeks for expedited service.

Information on how to obtain a passport can be found at http://www.travel.state.gov

If you need to locate a passport office near you use the zip code search on http://iafdb.travel.state.gov

The web information found on http://travel.state.gov/passport/about/agencies/agencies_913.html describes how and where to obtain a passport in less than two weeks, additional fees may apply.

Barbados Tourist Advisory

The wearing of camouflage or military apparel is considered illegal and clothing will be confiscated and persons charged accordingly.

Dominican Republic Travel Requirements

As of April of 2005, Dominican Republic law requires that children under 18, traveling with an adult or guardian other than their parent, must present written authorization from the parent(s), on the day of departure.

This authorization must state that the parent(s) have given consent for the child to leave the country. The letter must be written in Spanish and notarized at a Dominican Consulate in the United States. If the child is traveling with only one parent, the letter is not necessary. In addition, Dominican immigration authorities have recently begun restricting the ability of children to depart the country with only a birth certificate, especially when those children are American citizens of Dominican heritage.

If the child's last name differs from the last name of the accompanying parent(s), proof of parentage is required. Parent's name change must be documented (i.e. marriage certificate). If the minor is 14-17 on the day of departure, they must hold either a valid passport or a valid, official photo ID along with their birth certificate. Anyone under 18 on the day of departure will be denied boarding if not accompanied by an adult 18 years or older.