Suriname moves forward in the recovery of its international air connectivity: Copa and GOL re-launched flights to Paramaribo

Following the COVID-19 health crisis, Suriname has been one of the most restrictive countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, having maintained the total closure of its borders for many months. As of the third quarter of 2021, the situation was changing, allowing greater flexibility of income for those vaccinated.

Ads

The situation of the airline industry in Suriname became even tougher when Suriname Airways, the state-owned airline, had to return almost all of its aircraft to lessors after accumulating large debts. As a result, the country saw its international air connectivity reduced to a minimum, with only a few flights by American Airlines to Miami, KLM to Amsterdam, and Fly Allways, and Suriname Airways with a few weekly frequencies to destinations in the Caribbean.

However, 2022 started off with the right foot for Suriname. On January 4, Copa Airlines resumed operations to Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport, which serves Paramaribo (PMB), on a Boeing 737-800, after 18 months of suspension. The flight from Tocumen in Panama will allow more direct connectivity to destinations in Central America, North America, and South America. Initially, it will have a weekly operation, and as of March, a second frequency will be added.

Meanwhile, GOL Linhas Aéreas returned to Suriname in the early hours of January 9. The direct flight number G3 7473, operated with a Boeing 737-800, with capacity for 176 passengers, departed from Belém International Airport (BEL) at 0:05 am, and landed at Paramaribo International Airport (PBM) at 2 am, as reported by our Brazilian media partner, Aeroin.

Every passenger received as a gift the bem-voado, a version of the traditional sweet, whose packaging belt bore the words: «Return to Paramaribo». GOL has been operating between Belém and Paramaribo since 2015.

Ads

This route served by the company is extremely important for the northern region of Brazil and the states of Pará and Amapá, which have an ethnic and cultural nexus with the Dutch-speaking country.

Copa Schedules and Frequencies

Flights	From	Departure	To	Arrival	Frequencies
CM 318	Panamá/Tocumen (PTY)	21:08	Paramaribo (PMB)	03:00	Tuesdays
CM 319	Paramaribo (PMB)	04:28	Panamá/Tocumen (PTY)	06:20	Wednesdays

GOL Schedules and Frequencies

Flights	From	Departure	To	Arrival	Frequencies
G3 7473	Bele (BEL)	00:05	Paramaribo (PMB)	02:00	Sundays
G3 7472	Paramaribo (PMB)	03:15	Belem (BEL)	05:00	Sundays