Suriname's Minister of Transport, Communication and Tourism, Andojo Rusland, has expressed dissatisfaction with Surinam Airways' A340-300 PZ-TCR (cn 242) which replaced a similar aircraft - PZ-TCP (cn 49) - in December last year. Reports in the local press claim the ex-Air China (CA, Beijing Capital) aircraft has a tight seating pitch which makes transatlantic flights between Paramaribo International and Amsterdam Schiphol particularly uncomfortable for passengers.

"I do not know whether it is possible to get rid of the plane," he was quoted by the Times of Suriname.

Getting rid of the aircraft will, however, prove difficult as it is currently locked into a five-year long lease clad with penalty clauses which are triggered in the event of early termination or breach of contract.

At present, the quadjet is the only plausible solution to the Surinamese carrier's requirements given that it does not have ETOPS certification and therefore cannot use twinjet aircraft such as the A330, the B767, the B777, or the B787.