Seaborne moving?

Hey, they have to pay back the loan they took from GRS so good thing they are expanding.
Good Luck to them! (and us!)

Sigh. The news sources here do such a poor job of keeping us informed. How many jobs will move to PR? Jet Blue is also expending into some of the markets. The Dominican Republic is growing tourism so will the additional flight providers be able to operate profitably, or will they take losses to gain market share?

The airline business is not easy. Fares from STT to STX are high by most standards, and Seaborne still isn't profitable. Wonder what they got from PR govt?

The Daily News article, by Aldeth Lewin, was much better. St Croix losing 88 jobs. GERS not repaid. Hopefully when the new St John ferries are put in service, somebody can resume ferry service to St Croix with one of the old ferries until a new one is purchased.

Hopefully they'll do well in PR.

More details here: http://www.caribjournal.com/2013/12/18/seaborne-airlines-relocating-to-puerto-rico-government-taking-equity-stake/

PR government is taking an equity stake with $16m in investment and gets two seats on the board.

Bernie

Yes, GERS was repaid yesterday.

The Daily News article, by Aldeth Lewin, was much better.

I wish it was easy to read the Daily News on-line and link it...

http://stthomassource.com/content/news/local-news/2013/12/20/seaborne-pays-gers-more-4-million-relocates-88-jobs

"Puerto Rico is rolling out the red carpet,” Foss said.

http://stthomassource.com/content/news/local-news/2013/12/20/gers-demands-seaborne-repayment-and-gets-it

Seaborne, like any private business, saw an opportunity and took it... As soon as American Eagle shut down its operation in PR, it opened a door for them to continue growing... If I were in their shoes I would have done the same thing...

I do feel bad for the employees that now face a tough decision: relocate or stay behind... The same I faced when Hovensa closed its refining operation... My heart goes out to them...

A business will always make a decision based on what is best for them and NOT what is best for their host... You just have to move on....

So after the HQ relocation to PR is complete, and they expand from 4 to 16 Saabs becoming a true regional carrier, anyone want to place a bet as to how long they wait before spinning off the seaplane operation as not being part of their 'core' business model?

So after the HQ relocation to PR is complete, and they expand from 4 to 16 Saabs becoming a true regional carrier, anyone want to place a bet as to how long they wait before spinning off the seaplane operation as not being part of their 'core' business model?

Ha!... The thought did cross my mind... They say they will not change the operations... IMHO, on the long run, it makes not much sense to keep the seaplane in service... Only time will tell...

Then maybe Seaflight will vamp up their sea service since with their float planes they are still limited to land!

So after the HQ relocation to PR is complete, and they expand from 4 to 16 Saabs becoming a true regional carrier, anyone want to place a bet as to how long they wait before spinning off the seaplane operation as not being part of their 'core' business model?

Ha!... The thought did cross my mind... They say they will not change the operations... IMHO, on the long run, it makes not much sense to keep the seaplane in service... Only time will tell...

That was my first thought. As someone who used to have inside connections before the board changed, I know those seaplanes cost a fortune to maintain and run. Ironic, isn't it? Didn't they FINALLY just finish the boardwalk to the seaplane in C'stead? Just in time for it to leave? Without a ferry, how does one travel off or onto STX anymore? You've got crappy AA service or crappy CA service, both of which are overpriced and expensive and both of which require travel to the airport. Aye.

I will say, though, that the new Seaborne terminal at SJU, and the employees manning it, were very pleasant and helpful during a recent visit that sent me to STX via SJU on Seaborne. And the new Saabs were great. The flight time is waay shorter now.

IT

So, they will lose the seaplane water to water franchise and Seaflight will be waiting in the wings. Hopefully then back to a smaller more caring airline.

So, they will lose the seaplane water to water franchise and Seaflight will be waiting in the wings. Hopefully then back to a smaller more caring airline.

It is all speculation on my part... The article says they are not going to shut down the sea plane... But, because of higher costs, it is suspected that it MAY be a matter of time...