Inter-Islands Transportation

Hello Hany,

1- Is there need for inter-islands transportation (via air)? working on another island, shopping..etc. or will it end up totally tourism?

Which islands are you considering? St. Thomas - St. Croix only; St. Thomas & St. Croix - Puerto Rico... Tortola? other Caribbean islands?

2- is the ferry doing the job?

St. Thomas - St. Croix have a seasonal ferry. St. Thomas - BVI have regular service that is well used. St. John and Water Island don't have airports so their ferries work very well on regular schedules. Puerto Rico - St. Thomas; there is only a twice a month ferry.

3- How often do people move between islands?

Which islands? BVI to St. Thomas there is frequent travel by ferry, particularly on weekends and BVI holidays; and well used by visitors going over to the BVI from St. Thomas/St. John for vacation/day trip. St. Thomas - St. Croix by Seaplane and Cape Air.... used often by business people that have offices on both islands & visitors taking a day trip or making connections & folks visiting family.

4. I believe there are few companies that provide that kind of service, have anyone one on this board utilized them?

I have used the Seaplane numerous times; educational reason, won a ticket, business/for fun. I have also used some of the inter-island airlines that operate between STT and Puerto Rico in order to make connections in PR.

--Islander

There is a new airline in the paper that is looking for pilots, you could hook up with them but I'm sure you could make a good living at flying people around. Honestly I would focus on tourism, more money and easier to no competition. You could do custom trips and bring people around various islands etc. etc.

Also, its easier to market and you will fighting against some well established corp travel airlines that handle the day to day transport, and since you are a 1 man shop you won't have the schedules they do, so the only way you will be able to compete with them is on price.

I'd stick with the tourists who are willing to burn some cash and have a unique experience while on island. You could also place ads in the paper say hey I'm flying over to such and such a place on this date andyone need a lift for 80 bucks or whatever. Having a seaplane would be ideal. Then you could land anywhere you want and take those tourists to remote beaches etc, drop them off. Go back drop some other tourists on another deserted island, etc. You could get multiple trips in one day, and you are not then restricted to a schedule its all based on what you book. Jeez I want to sign up for one of those trips. Dropped off on a deserted island, very cool.

If you are doing commercial flying based on schedules you could get screwed flying one person to STX from STT, which is a money loser. I think with custom tourist flights you will have more flexibility with pricing and scheduling, and you can easily distinguish yourself.

If you need a marketing person let me know.

Captain,
I'm relocating to STX and will be there in Dec/Jan. My clients have asked repeatedly about a service somewhat like you have described, or may pursue. Should you develop this endeavor please contact me. Warm Regards. Rachel