Surinam Airways (SLM) will operate flights between Paramaribo and Amsterdam from Sunday, 4 October 2026, in cooperation with the American Eastern Airlines. The airlines have concluded an agreement for two years. Eastern Airlines succeeds Universal Sky Carrier (USC), with which the cooperation ended on 2 October after nearly two years.
According to SLM, the switch is intended to result in lower operational costs, including fuel costs, and contribute to stable and reliable service.
Eastern Airlines will deploy a Boeing 777-200ER on the route, with a business class and an economy class. This aircraft replaces the Airbus A340-600 that was used during the cooperation with USC. According to SLM, the twin-engine Boeing consumes considerably less fuel than the four-engine Airbus.
Two-year agreement
The cooperation will take the form of a so-called damp lease. Eastern Airlines will provide the aircraft, the cockpit crew and technical maintenance. The cabin crew will consist of Eastern Airlines employees, supplemented by SLM cabin staff.
Some of the SLM cabin staff have meanwhile been trained by Eastern Airlines. That training is intended to support cooperation between the crews and in-flight service.
Aircraft in SLM colours from December
The Boeing to be deployed from 4 October will serve as a temporary aircraft. The agreement stipulates that, from December 2026, an Eastern Airlines Boeing 777-200ER fully finished in Surinam Airways colours will become available.
In the communiqué, SLM thanks USC for the cooperation and describes the agreement with Eastern Airlines as a next step in the development of the national airline.
