Above: a Seaborne Plane

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Seaborne Airlines is launching service to the Dominican Republic, the company announced Wednesday.

The St Croix-based carrier will be introducing service from San Juan to La Romana International Airport in the Dominican Republic, beginning Dec. 12.

The service will initially operate Thursdays and Sundays, with daily service launching on March 15, 2014.

“Seaborne is delighted to be bringing the on-time, service we are becoming known for to the Dominican Republic,” said Gary Foss, Seaborne’s president and chief executive officer, in a statement.  “La Romana is the first of a number of markets that Seaborne plans to serve in the Dominican Republic.”

It marks the 12th airport Seaborne will serve in the region.

“We are very pleased with Seaborne Airlines’ announcement of a new San Juan – La Romana route. Improving air access is a key component to increasing passenger visits to Puerto Rico from the current 8.5 million to 10.0 million annual visits within the next five years,” Puerto Rico Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla said in a release. “Furthermore, we are excited to be increasing air traffic with the Dominican Republic as we look forward to strengthening commercial ties with our neighbors.”

Seaborne currently operates service to Vieques, St Thomas, St Croix, Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Dominica, Martinique and Guadeloupe.

The flights will reportedly start at around $129 one way, according to the company’s Web site.