Wheels Up Experience has made a strategic partnership and minority investment in Tropic Ocean Airways, an amphibious airline and provider of last-mile private charter and scheduled services in Florida, the northeastern United States, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

"Tropic Ocean is a leader in providing short-range airlift solutions in urban areas, remote locations and markets with limited airport access or otherwise challenged with last-mile connectivity," says Wheels Up CEO Kenny Dichter. "Tropic Ocean delivers a strong geographic and product fit as the locations it currently serves are very popular with our members and with an aircraft type that extends the range and access capability of our existing fleet. It is already a Wheels Up safety vetted and verified partner that shares our commitment to customer service, and we look forward to giving our members new and exciting travel opportunities as Tropic Ocean continues to expand."

The multi-year commercial agreement is the latest step by Wheels Up in its efforts to expand the market for its product offerings. It provides for the integration of Tropic Ocean's charter and certain scheduled by-the-seat services into Wheels Up's marketplace, and Wheels Up members and customers will be able to directly book and pay for travel on Tropic Ocean flights through their normal Wheels Up booking channels.

The focus will initially be to provide Wheels Up customers with greater accessibility to options within Tropic Ocean's current coverage area. Over time, the parties intend to expand to additional markets in the US and Caribbean.

Tropic Ocean operates a single fleet type, amphibious and wheeled variants of the late model Cessna Caravan EX aircraft. Operated by two pilots and carrying up to nine passengers, these aircraft are ideal for trips of up to 250 miles.

Wheels Up has also made a minority capital investment in Tropic Ocean to help fund its continued growth and to support certain shared initiatives such as the introduction of new flight offerings that will be exclusive to Wheels Up customers.

"Wheels Up is a clear leader in private aviation, and we're excited to partner with it in offering even more seamless travel options to its members and customers," adds Tropic Ocean CEO Rob Ceravolo. "This partnership will also help us extend the reach of our existing products, invest in our operational capabilities and expand our offerings to more places and more service types."