Suriname's Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Foreign Affairs have opened dialogue with two undisclosed European carriers over the possibility of a joint-venture, or even a merger, with struggling Surinam Airways (PY, Paramaribo International).

Surinam Airways' recently appointed managing director, Robbi Lachmising, told the Caribbean News Network that any such partnership would allow the carrier to redeploy its only widebody aircraft, A340-300 PZ-TCR (cn 242), onto other more commercially appealing routes such as Haiti, northern Brazil, and even New York JFK.

At present, the aircraft is used exclusively on Paramaribo International-Amsterdam Schiphol flights which are prone to frequent cancellations as well as delays. Owing to the payment of compensation to affected passengers as required under European law, the flights invariably lose more money than they make, he added.

Lachmising has been brought in to help return Surinam Airways to profitability, a feat he achieved during his previous tenure there between 2000 and 2004.

Aside from transatlantic services, Surinam Airways also serves Aruba, Belém International, Cayenne, Curacao, Georgetown Cheddi Jagan, Miami International, Orlando Sanford, and Port of Spain using a trio of B737-300s.