April 11, 2006 – With Seaborne Airlines' acquisition of three new aircraft, the airline will be able to inaugurate service from St. Thomas to Virgin Gorda and expand its service between St. Thomas, St. Croix and San Juan.
"We're in a growth mode and need community support," Seaborne President and Chief Executive Officer Marvin Ruthenberg said Tuesday.
And the airline announced last-minute one-way fares of $55 between St. Croix and St. Thomas and $75 between St. Thomas, St. Croix and San Juan. Those fares must be purchased at the counter or over the phone.
"While Seaborne's primary customer during the weekdays is the business traveler, on the weekends, travel patterns shift to predominately discretionary and leisure travel," Seaborne's Vice President of Sales and Service, Omer ErSelcuk, said in a news release.
He said that the reduced fares are expected to stimulate business on the weekends.
Ruthenberg said the $55 fare makes Seaborne competitive with ferry service to St. Croix.
"And the $75 fare is to reintroduce San Juan," he said.
He said the airline flies to San Juan twice a day on weekends and once on Fridays and Monday.
Seats between St. Thomas and St. Croix may be booked starting Saturday morning. Those to San Juan may be booked starting Friday morning.
Ruthenberg said the flights to Virgin Gorda will start when details can be worked out with British Virgin Islands authorities.
Seaborne will start adding the three new de Havilland DHC-6-300 Twin Otter seaplanes in early- or mid-July. The rest will come on board within the next eight months. These are the same planes currently in use by the company.
Ruthenberg said the new planes will allow the company to expand its service to San Juan. Passengers from St. Croix now connect on St. Thomas, but the company is evaluating direct service from St. Croix to San Juan. Ruthenberg said the company is also looking at service from St. John to San Juan.
Ruthenberg said volume will allow the airline to keep its prices low.
The company, which started operations in the Caribbean more than 14 years ago, currently employs 120 people.
For last-minute resevations, call 773-6442 or 888-359-8687. Phone hours are from 6 a.m. through 7 p.m. daily.
Other reservations may be book by phone or online at Seaborne's Web site.
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