US regional carrier Seaborne Airlines is to expand its offering across the US Virgin Islands from spring 2013 enhancing connectivity between the islands and into other markets. The carrier was established in 1992 and operates domestic seaplane and land plane services among the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the British Virgin Islands, significantly ramping up its activities over recent years.
Seaborne Airlines has recently inaugurated flights to Terrance B Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island in the British Virgin Islands and has already confirmed the launch of new links to Tortola and Virgin Gorda from December this year. In the past few days it has now confirmed plans to significantly boost capacity within its existing network with the introduction of new 34-seat Saab 340 turboprops into its fleet.
The carrier is due to receive three aircraft in the coming months and is due to launch scheduled passenger flights with the aircraft from February next year. It confirms that the aircraft will replace smaller DHC-6 Twin Otters on selects flights from Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico to both Cyril E King Airport at St Thomas and Henry Rohlsen International Airport at St Croix.
Seaborne launched services on these two routes in July 2011 and currently competes with American Eagle, Cape Air and JetBlue Airways on both routes and Air Sunshine to St Thomas. In November 2012 schedule data shows it has a 19.9 per cent share of departures and 13.9 per cent of capacity between San Juan and St Thomas and 34.4 per cent of departures and 21.8 of seat capacity between San Juan and St Croix. The introduction of Saab 340s will enable the airline to boost its share of capacity on both routes.
In the year ending August 2012, Seaborne had secured approximately a 23 per cent share of the estimated 88,000 O&D passengers flying between San Juan and St Thomas and 26 per cent of the estimated 72,000 O&D passengers between San Juan and St Croix. US major American Airlines is the largest operator in both markets through the flights of American Eagle.
“As we move forward with this historic expansion – we want to thank GERS and the Government of the US Virgin Islands for their support and confidence in the Seaborne business model and growth plan,” said Gary Foss, President, Seaborne Airlines. “As one of the largest private employers in the USVI, we understand the importance transportation plays.”
Seaborne will also boost its inter-island activities and from April 1, 2013 will introduce additional flights between St Thomas and St Croix using its 17-seat Twin Otters. These will complement the airline’s existing Twin Otter Seaplane service between bases in Charlotte Amalie and Christiansted. The airline says it plans to operate 300 weekly flights with over 10,000 seats into and out of the US Virgin Islands – becoming the Virgin Islands' largest carrier in terms of capacity.
“We are extremely pleased about Seaborne Airlines plans to increase service to the Territory and between our islands,” said Beverly Nicholson-Doty, Tourism Commissioner, US Virgin Islands. “The added capacity and equipment upgrades encourage more inter-island travel and ensure that travelers enjoy improved access to the Territory, better connections, and greater comfort. This news is especially welcome from a locally-based airline that is uniquely positioned to bring additional employment and revenue to the Territory.”
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