Tropic Ocean Airways has received government approval to operate flights into the British Virgin Islands, the regional carrier told Caribbean Journal this week. 

In a statement, Tropic Ocean Airways said its offering would begin with private charter service into two airports in the British Virgin Islands. 

The approval lifts what had been a 50-year single-engine aircraft ban at Virgin Gorda’s Taddy Bay International Airport. 

The plan will include seaplane service into various harbors in the BVI, along with service to Tortola and Virgin Gorda.

“Tropic’s first core value is ‘Safe is Right.’ We first run risk assessments in cooperation with governments prior to establishing any air service,” said Rob Ceravolo, . “Our evaluation and test flights into Virgin Gorda airport helped demonstrate that the 50+ year ban on single-engine aircraft was based on technologies and training procedures from 50 years ago.”

A spokesperson for the airline said the service would allow for flights to the BVI from Puerto Rico, St Thomas and Antigua. 

The move comes after the Fort Lauderdale-based airline announced plans for a major expansion in the Caribbean out of San Juan, Puerto Rico last year.  

Tropic Ocean has long operated flights in Florida and across The Bahamas out of its hub in Fort Lauderdale, with a combination of scheduled flights, private charters and “dock to yacht” service, meaning landing planes right near yachts to provide service. 

That service includes regular flights to destinations in The Bahamas ranging from Bimini (where it runs flights from Miami, landing at Resorts World Bimini) to Andros, along with charter service across the islands of The Bahmaas.

Tropic Ocean’s spokesperson told Caribbean Journal that the “specific” launch date of BVI service was still being worked out.

The carrier operates a fleet of Cessna Grand Caravan EX seaplanes.

For more, visit Tropic Ocean Airways. 

— CJ