Tropic Ocean Airways has been welcomed to Puerto Rico by Carla Campos, executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (CTPR), as the operator plans to establish a base for amphibious aircraft on the island.

CEO Rob Ceravolo and the president of the Caribbean division and general counsel Bryan Winters discussed details about the start of Tropic Ocean Airways' operations. Tropic already provides charter and scheduled services throughout Florida and The Bahamas, specialising in luxury airlift solutions including dock-to-yacht and cargo services. It plans to offer domestic flights to all Puerto Rico airports and safe water landing areas, including the islands of Vieques and Culebra, and neighbouring international destinations.

Charter itineraries are tailored to meet the needs of each guest and are anticipated to include flights to the British Virgin Islands, such as Necker Island, the US Virgin Islands, Antigua, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, Nevis, and Anguilla. In addition, the airline will offer charter flights, sightseeing and day trip excursions from San Juan in Puerto Rico.

Flights can depart from the Jet Aviation private FBO terminal at the Luis Munoz Marin International airport, Bahia Urbana dock in the harbour at Old San Juan, or any other suitable location depending on the needs of guests. Tropic Ocean Airways' fleet of factory-new Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft are equipped with executive seating for up to eight guests and are versatile, with the ability to take off from a runway and land on the water and vice versa.

Ceravolo says: “A modern amphibious seaplane service has been proven to improve connectivity in hard-to-reach areas with less environmental impact. Our entire team of over 100 aviation professionals is committed to our investment in the Puerto Rico tourism and aviation industries, and we are very grateful for the opportunity to bring our luxury service to the island. We are excited to call Puerto Rico our second home and look forward to growing in the region."

Campos adds: “At the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, we welcome Tropic Ocean Airways to the Island, as it begins the first stage of operations in Puerto Rico with an aircraft that will use San Juan as its base port, but will have the ability to take off and land anywhere on the Island, whether by sea or land. In addition to expanding our air access, the establishment of San Juan as the second base of operations for Tropic Ocean Airways strengthens the positioning of our Island as the connector of the Caribbean region and has the potential to increase passenger movement and creation of new jobs in the short and long term.”

Tropic Ocean Airways has received an ARGUS Gold rating for safety.