The Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao is now an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands as of October 10, 2010. Curaçao has been one of five island territories of the Netherlands Antilles, which has had its seat in Willemstad, Curaçao, and no longer exists as of October 10, 2010.

The installation of the first Prime Minister of Curaçao, Prime Minister Gerrit Schotte, the youngest prime minister in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, at age 36, is an epic event for Curacao.

Curaçao will now exclusively reap the benefit of taxes brought in from its rapidly developing tourist industry. The change in Curaçao’s status to that of being an independent nation within the Dutch Kingdom translates to more tax dollars available for tourism development.

Now, greater resources will be available on-island to develop new port facilities and hotels, positioning Curaçao for significant growth in its tourism product.

New Nonstop Service Wednesdays and Saturdays Make Travel to Curaçao Easier Than Ever!

WILLEMSTAD, CURAÇAO – December 8, 2010 – Continental Airlines is launching twice-weekly nonstop service, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Curaçao International Airport (CUR), on December 18, 2010. The new service makes Curaçao, the world’s newest country as of October 10, 2010, more accessible to the Tri-State area than ever.

Continental Flight CO1862 will depart Newark at 8:50 a.m. and arrive in Curaçao at 2:40 p.m. Continental Flight CO1863 will depart Curaçao at 3:40 p.m. and arrive in Newark at 7:40 p.m. The flight schedule is as follows:

FlightDaysDepartsArrives
CO1862Wednesdays & SaturdaysEWR – Newark  at 8:50 a.m. CUR – Curaçao at 2:40 p.m.
CO1863Wednesdays & SaturdaysCUR – Curaçao at 3:40 p.m.EWR – Newark at 7:40 p.m.

“We are pleased to announce of the launch of Continental’s year-round nonstop, twice weekly flights to Curaçao, making Curaçao more accessible than ever to the Tri-State area,” said Curaçao Tourist Board Marketing Manager North America André Rojer. “The new Continental service brings huge potential for growth in arrivals to Curaçao from our primary markets of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. We also expect increased arrivals on this route from Canada.”

Continental Airlines Vacations is offering special savings to Curaçao in honor of the new service.