Seaborne Airlines

Seaborne Virgin Island Inc, operating as Seaborne Airlines, is a FAR Part 121 airline headquartered in Carolina, Puerto Rico, near the territory's capital of San Juan. It operates a seaplane shuttle service between St. Croix and St. Thomas. Originally headquartered on St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands, the company relocated to Puerto Rico in 2014.

Seaborne Airlines
IATA ICAO Callsign
BB SBS SEABORNE
Founded1992 (1992)
Commenced operations1992
AOC #S9BA675J[1]
HubsLuis Muñoz Marín International Airport
Fleet size2
Destinations2
Parent companySilver Airways
HeadquartersLuis Muñoz Marín International Airport
Carolina, Puerto Rico
Key peopleSteve Rossum
Employees320 (April 2016)
Websiteseaborneairlines.com

Since April 2018, the airline has been owned by its parent company Silver Airways. Today, Silver Airways operates all new ATR42 and ATR72-600 aircraft to the destinations previously served by Seaborne from San Juan. Seaborne’s operations are now centrally operated from St Croix with daily flights to St Thomas on De Havilland DHC-6-300 aircraft. The United States Virgin Island’s only seaplane airline will be expanding seaplane service into 2024.

History

Seaborne Airlines was established in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands by founders Ken Dole and Charles Slagle in 1992.[2] The airline initially operated seaplane sightseeing tours with De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otters, prior to obtaining its FAR Part 135 status and beginning scheduled passenger service in 1994.[2] The airline later obtained its FAR Part 121 status on March 20, 1997.[1] In 2000, the airline was purchased by a new group of investors who began the push from a pure seaplane business to include land-based flights. In 2001, the airline began seaplane service to San Juan, Puerto Rico, serving Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport, also known as Isla Grande Airport.[2] In late 2008, the airline launched land-based air services to San Juan from both St. Thomas and St. Croix, under the "Seaborne Airshuttle" brand name.[3]

On March 1, 2010, Seaborne Airlines announced Vieques, Puerto Rico as a new destination, with flights to Antonio Rivera Rodríguez Airport from both San Juan and St. Croix for launch on March 18.[4] On December 15, 2010, the airline announced new services to San Juan's Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport from St. Croix, St. Thomas, and Vieques, for launch on January 12, 2011.[5] On October 8, 2012, the airline announced new services to Tortola and Virgin Gorda on the British Virgin Islands, serving Terrance B. Lettsome and Virgin Gorda Airports with flights beginning on December 8.[6] On April 1, 2013, Seaborne Airlines launched its first services with its new Saab 340B aircraft following FAA certification of the type in March.[7] The Saab 340B was also launched alongside a new route to Portsmouth, Dominica, serving Melville Hall Airport (later renamed to Douglas–Charles Airport).[8]

Starting in 2013, Seaborne Airlines began partnering with other airlines through interline and codeshare agreements, with American Airlines as its first partner with interlining agreements on February 14, 2013, followed by codeshare agreements on June 24, 2013.[9][10] As part of the partnership, the schedules of Seaborne's new services from San Juan to both Pointe-à-Pitre and Fort-de-France in the French Caribbean (announced on March 25, 2013 before launch on June 1, 2013, following a two month delay in the start of service) were subsequently timed accordingly in the interest of convenient connections with American's San Juan flights.[8][11][12] JetBlue became Seaborne's second airline partner, with an interlining agreement established between the two airlines in November 2013, later developing into a codeshare agreement in May 2015.[13][14][15]

On October 23, 2013, Seaborne Airlines announced its first destination in the Dominican Republic, with service to La Romana International Airport beginning on December 12, 2013.[16] On November 7, 2013, the airline announced new routes to Saint Kitts and Nevis, with service to both Robert L. Bradshaw and Vance W. Amory International Airports starting on January 15, 2014.[17] On December 18, 2013, Seaborne Airlines announced it was relocating its headquarters from Christiansted, St. Croix to San Juan, the move of which was completed by March 2014.[18][19] On January 27, 2014, the airline announced service to Santiago de los Caballeros and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, with flights to Santiago's Cibao International Airport starting on March 15, 2014, and flights to Punta Cana International Airport starting on February 14, 2014.[20] The airline also launched flights from San Juan to Sint Maarten with flights to Princess Juliana International Airport on March 3, 2014,[21] as well as flights to Santo Domingo with flights to Las Américas International Airport on April 17, 2014.[22]

On March 10, 2014, Delta Air Lines became Seaborne's third airline partner through the establishment of an interline agreement, which later became a codeshare agreement in September 2016.[23][24][25] On September 30, 2014, United Airlines joined as Seaborne's fourth airline partner with its own interlining agreement.[26] On March 5, 2015, Seaborne announced Air Europa as its fifth airline partner, with the two airlines codesharing on Seaborne's flights from San Juan and Air Europa's flights from Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport to Santo Domingo's Las Américas International Airport, effective from March 29, 2015,[27] although the codeshare agreement ended at a later date.

On February 18, 2015, Seaborne Airlines announced new services to Anguilla with flights to Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport, starting on April 30, 2015.[28][29] On September 1, 2015, the airline announced new services to Antigua with flights V. C. Bird International Airport beginning on December 13, 2015.[30] On June 14, 2017, following the year-long suspension of its Antigua services, the airline announced the resumption of services to Antigua for July 21, 2017.[31] On March 8, 2017, Vieques Air Link became an airline partner of Seaborne with a codeshare agreement between the two airlines.[32][33]

On January 8, 2018, Seaborne Airlines announced its restructuring plan under the Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Code following the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season, specifically Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria. The airline announced the acquirement of a $4.2 Million credit facility and entered a purchase agreement with Silver Airways, which was subject to the Court's approval and potential overbids.[34] On March 28, 2018, it was announced that Seaborne was bought by Silver Airways, with the acquisition completed on April 22, 2018.[35][36][37]

On August 28, 2019, it was announced that reservations for travel on Seaborne Airlines flights would be booked through the Silver Airways website, with Seaborne's reservation system integrated with Silver's on September 1, 2019.[38][39][40]

Corporate affairs

The airline is headquartered in the CAF2 building on the grounds of Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in Carolina, Puerto Rico.[41]

Prior to Seaborne's acquisition by Silver Airways in 2018, Seaborne's president and chief executive officer (CEO) was Gary Foss.[42] Following the acquisition, Steve Rossum, the CEO of Silver Airways, took over as CEO of the combined company.[37] Mr Rossum appointed Thomas Hanley as the Executive Director of Seaborne in 2023 with designs of restoring Seaborne services, destinations, and expansion. Today, Seaborne provides the Virgin Island’s only seaplane airline service between St Thomas and St Croix daily, with new destinations in 2024.

Destinations

As of August 2020, Seaborne Airlines operates or has previously operated to the following listed destinations.[43] The list does not include destinations served only by its parent company Silver Airways, with which the two airlines share operations based at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport.

Country or territory City or island Airport or seaplane base Notes Ref.
Anguilla The Valley Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport [28][29]
Antigua and Barbuda St. John's V. C. Bird International Airport [30][31]
British Virgin Islands Tortola Road Town Seaplane Base Terminated
Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport [6]
Virgin Gorda Virgin Gorda Airport Terminated [6]
Dominica Portsmouth Douglas–Charles Airport [8]
Dominican Republic La Romana La Romana International Airport Terminated [16]
Punta Cana Punta Cana International Airport Terminated [20]
Santiago de los Caballeros Cibao International Airport [20][44]
Santo Domingo Las Américas International Airport Terminated [22]
Guadeloupe Pointe-à-Pitre Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport Terminated [11][12]
Martinique Fort-de-France Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport Terminated [11][12]
Puerto Rico San Juan Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport Terminated [2]
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport Hub [5][41]
San Juan Seaplane Base Terminated
Vieques Antonio Rivera Rodríguez Airport Terminated [4]
Saint Kitts and Nevis Basseterre Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport [17]
Nevis Vance W. Amory International Airport [17]
Sint Maarten Philipsburg Princess Juliana International Airport [21]
United States Virgin Islands St. Croix Christiansted Harbor Seaplane Base [45]
Henry E. Rohlsen International Airport [5]
St. Thomas Charlotte Amalie Harbor Seaplane Base [46]
Cyril E. King International Airport [5]

Interline agreements

The airline has interlining agreements with the following airlines:[47]

Codeshare agreements

The airline has codeshare agreements with the following airlines:[47]

Fleet

Current fleet
A Seaborne Airlines Saab 340

As of December 2020, the Seaborne Airlines fleet includes the following aircraft:[1][48]

Seaborne Airlines fleet
Aircraft In service Orders Passengers Notes
de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 2 — 15 Operates seaplane services.
Total 2

Fleet development
A Seaborne Airlines de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter at Christiansted Harbor Seaplane Base on St. Croix

Seaborne Airlines' De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otters, leased from Kenn Borek Air, are equipped with Wipline 13000 floats. The Twin Otters provide near hourly service between seaplane bases at Chistiansted Harbor in St. Croix and Charlotte Amalie Harbor in St. Thomas.[45][46]

Saab 340 aircraft began scheduled operations with the airline in April 2013, and served all land-based destinations and airports.[7] Each aircraft had a different marine animal painted on the tailfin, consisting of a dolphin, lobster, manta ray, marlin, octopus, seahorse, sea turtle, or shark. Of the eight Saab 340s, six originally flew for American Eagle, while two were originally from Formosa Airlines. Prior to Seaborne's acquisition of its Saab 340s, the Twin Otters were used for both land and water operations.

References
  1. "Airline Certificate Information - Detail View". Federal Aviation Administration. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
  2. "Our Story". Seaborne Airlines. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  3. "Seaborne Airlines Introudces New Airshuttle and Special Fares". St. John Tradewinds News. November 3, 2008. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  4. Walsh, Katie (March 1, 2010). "Seaborne Airlines announces new service to Vieques, Puerto Rico" (PDF) (Press release). Seaborne Airlines. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  5. "Seaborne Airlines announces expansion to San Juan International Airport (SJU)" (PDF) (Press release). Seaborne Airlines. December 15, 2010. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  6. "New Service from San Juan to the British Virgin Islands" (PDF) (Press release). Seaborne Airlines. October 8, 2012. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  7. Foss, Gary (March 25, 2020). "FAA Approves Seaborne Airlines Certification of Saab340B" (PDF) (Press release). Seaborne Airlines. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  8. Liu, Jim (March 5, 2013). "Seaborne Airlines Expands San Juan – Caribbean Service from April 2013". Routesonline. Informa Markets. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  9. "Seaborne Expanding Service, Working with American Airlines". VI Source Network. February 14, 2013. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  10. "American Airlines And Seaborne Airlines Announce Codeshare Relationship". American Airlines Newsroom (Press release). American Airlines Group, Inc. June 24, 2013. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  11. Foss, Gary (May 14, 2013). "Seaborne Airlines Launches Two New Routes to Guadeloupe and Martinique" (PDF) (Press release). Seaborne Airlines. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  12. Liu, Jim (May 16, 2013). "Seaborne Airlines Begins Guadeloupe / Martinique Service from June 2013". Routesonline. Informa Markets. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  13. "Seaborne In Interline Pact with JetBlue". VI Source Network. November 11, 2013. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  14. "JetBlue to Fly to 25 Caribbean Destinations This Winter and Expand Interline Partnerships to Even More Islands". JetBlue Investor Relations (Press release). JetBlue Airways Corporation. November 12, 2013. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  15. "Seaborne and JetBlue to Become Codeshare Partners Across the Caribbean". PR Newswire (Press release). PR Newswire Association LLC. May 26, 2015. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  16. "Seaborne Airlines Introduces Service to the Dominican Republic" (PDF) (Press release). Seaborne Airlines. October 23, 2013. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  17. Foss, Gary (November 7, 2013). "Seaborne Airlines Introduces Service to the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis Continues Caribbean Fleet Growth". PR Newswire (Press release). PR Newswire Association LLC. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  18. "Seaborne Airlines Announces Move of Headquarters to Puerto Rico". PR Newswire (Press release). PR Newswire Association LLC. December 18, 2013.
  19. Kantrow-Vázquez, Michelle (December 19, 2013). "Seaborne Airlines relocating HQs to Puerto Rico". News is my Business.
  20. "Seaborne Announces New Service To Santiago In The Dominican Republic And That It Is The First Caribbean Airline To Offer Gate to Gate Cellphone Service" (PDF) (Press release). Seaborne Airlines. January 27, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  21. "Seaborne takes off to St. Maarten" (PDF) (Press release). Seaborne Airlines. March 3, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  22. "Seaborne Starts San Juan-Santo Domingo Route" (PDF) (Press release). Seaborne Airlines. April 17, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  23. "Seaborne Airlines and Delta Air Lines Announce Interline Agreement Press Release". The St. Kitts & Nevis Observer (Press release). March 10, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  24. "Delta & Seaborne codeshare expands travel options to U.S., Caribbean". Delta News Hub (Press release). Delta Air Lines, Inc. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  25. Liu, Jim (September 16, 2016). "Delta / Seaborne Airlines begins codeshare partnership from Sep 2016". Routesonline. Informa Markets. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  26. "Seaborne Announces an Interline Agreement with United Airlines". PR Newswire (Press release). PR Newswire Association LLC. September 30, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  27. "Air Europa Enters into an agreement with Seaborne". PR Newswire (Press release). PR Newswire Association LLC. March 5, 2015. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  28. "Seaborne Airlines to Launch Service between San Juan and Anguilla". PR Newswire (Press release). PR Newswire Association LLC. February 18, 2015. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  29. Liu, Jim (February 24, 2015). "Seaborne Airlines Adds San Juan – Anguilla Route from late-Apr 2015". Routesonline. Informa Markets. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  30. Liu, Jim (September 1, 2015). "Seaborne Airlines Adds San Juan – Antigua Flights from mid-Dec 2015". Routesonline. Informa Markets. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  31. Liu, Jim (June 15, 2017). "Seaborne Airlines resumes Puerto Rico - Antigua link in July 2017". Routesonline. Informa Markets. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  32. Hanne, Angela; Torres, Jania (March 8, 2017). "Seaborne Airlines and Vieques Air Link Enter into a Cooperative Agreement" (PDF) (Press release). Seaborne Airlines. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  33. Liu, Jim (June 16, 2017). "Seaborne / Vieques Air Link begins partnership from July 2017". Routesonline. Informa Markets. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  34. "Seaborne Restructure" (Press release). Seaborne Airlines. January 8, 2018.
  35. Silk, Robert (April 23, 2018). "Silver Airways closes on Seaborne acquisition". Travel Weekly. Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  36. "Silver Airlines Completes Takeover of Seaborne". St. Thomas Source. Virgin Islands Source. April 24, 2018.
  37. Stoller, Misty (April 22, 2018). "Silver Airways Acquires Seaborne Airlines to Create Leading Independent Airline Serving the Caribbean, Bahamas, Florida, and Beyond" (PDF) (Press release). Silver Airways/Seaborne Airlines. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  38. Stoller, Misty (August 28, 2019). "Seaborne Airlines Reservation Change for Travel Starting September 1, 2019" (PDF) (Press release). Silver Airways/Seaborne Airlines. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  39. "Seaborne Airlines Makes Reservation Change for Travel Starting Sept. 1". St. Thomas Source. Virgin Islands Source. August 29, 2019.
  40. "Reservations for Seaborne Airlines now being booked on Silver Airways' website". The Virgin Islands Consortium. September 2, 2019. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  41. "Seaborne Moves Headquarters" (Press release). Seaborne Airlines. September 26, 2018.
  42. "Seaborne Appointed Director of Business Development and Marketing". PR Newswire (Press release). PR Newswire Association LLC. July 23, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  43. "Flight Delays-Schedule & Map". Seaborne Airlines. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  44. Stoller, Misty (December 18, 2018). "Seaborne Airlines Returning to the Dominican Republic with Nonstop San Juan – Santiago" (Press release). Seaborne Airlines. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  45. "St. Croix". Seaborne Airlines. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  46. "St. Thomas". Seaborne Airlines. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  47. "Ticket and Baggage Agreements". Seaborne Airlines. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  48. "Fleet". Seaborne Airlines. Retrieved August 21, 2020.

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