OREANDA-NEWS. Miami International Airport is set to add another international carrier to its lineup of 100 carriers with the announcement of new Miami-Aruba service by Aruba Airlines. The airline is scheduled to begin scheduled service on July 2 between MIA and Queen Beatrix International Airport in Oranjestad, the island nation's capital city.

The announcement comes as Aruban Prime Minister Michiel G. Eman leads a delegation to meet with MIA officials at the airport on Friday.

"The addition of new service by Aruba Airlines - and the increased connectivity that it will provide - is great news for our community and for our airport," said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez.

Aruba Airlines will operate five weekly Miami-Aruba flights on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, using an Airbus A320 aircraft. Flights are scheduled to arrive in Miami at 1:30 p.m. and depart for Aruba at 3:00 p.m. Aruba Airlines' new service provides Miami passengers with a fourth direct travel option to Aruba, joining MIA hub carrier American Airlines, InselAir Aruba and Surinam Airways.

Prime Minister Eman and a delegation of 21 officials and business leaders from the islands of the Netherlands Antilles - Aruba, Curacao and St. Maarten - are visiting Miami this week to explore business opportunities with their South Florida counterparts. MIA leaders will host the group on Friday to discuss air service to the eastern Caribbean and the possibility of further strengthening ties between MIA and the region's airports.

"MIA welcomes Aruba Airlines to our lineup of more than 100 air carriers and is proud to extend yet another fantastic international travel option to our customers," said Miami-Dade Aviation Director Emilio T. Gonzalez. "Clearly, we enjoy strong air connections with Aruba, and we look forward to fostering further ties to the island during our talks with Prime Minister Eman and his delegation tomorrow."