Caribbean Aircraft Leasing is acquiring a new state-of-the-art Dash-8 Q300 Model 315 aircraft from manufacturer Bombardier Aerospace in Canada. TThe new 50-passenger Dash-8 Q300 will be operated by Caribbean Star Airlines and will join the three Q300s ordered just two months ago, which are the first brand-new Dash 8s introduced to the region in many years.

The three Q300s are slated for delivery May through July. In line with the upgrading of the two carriers’ fleets, Caribbean Sun Airlines will operate the plane delivered in May.

According to Donna Gertz, director - sales, marketing & communication for the airlines, the new aircraft will sport a special livery bearing both the Caribbean Sun and Caribbean Star logos in tandem with the Stanford 20/20 Tournament logo “to announce that the airlines are the official airlines of the tournament.”

The plane will be introduced to airline team members via a fun island tour prior to being placed into regular service and will serve as an opportunity to educate staff about the airlines’ ambassadorial role in the tournament.

Caribbean Star and Caribbean Sun Airlines President William E. “Skip” Barnette said, “In response to the increased demand for Caribbean Sun Airlines and Caribbean Star Airlines service, we added this fourth Dash-8 Q300, which features unsurpassed jet-like passenger comfort, to accelerate the growth of our fleet, improve reliability, and to augment the replaced 100-series 37-seaters in the fleet. The new aircraft will also generate lower operating costs, which is important because it allows us to continuously upgrade our services and facilities, as well as make regional travel economically viable.”

According to Barnette, the airlines’ objective is to grow the fleet to all Q300s.

The planes, noted for their comfort, proven reliability and outstanding performance, boast Pratt and Whitney 123E engines and feature a dual flight-management system and NVS technology, which is a revolutionary new Noise and Vibration Suppression System that dramatically reduces fuselage vibratory noise entering the cabin.

The Q Series NVS is the world’s first application of the technology in an airliner cabin. Also contributing to passenger comfort are customized leather-dressed seats and passenger cabin window blinds to block direct sunlight when desired.

About Caribbean Star Airlines Limited Privately held Caribbean Star Airlines Limited was incorporated in Antigua in January 2000. Its sister airline Caribbean Sun Airlines Inc., based in Fort Lauderdale, FL, launched its maiden flight in January 2003.

Currently, together the airlines serve 19 Caribbean destinations and transport over 80,000 passengers a month throughout the region.
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