The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

FORT Lauderdale-based seaplane company, Tropic Ocean Airways, has announced increased frequencies on its Bimini service and expanded charter services throughout the Bahamas. Tropic Ocean Airways, founded in 2012 by Navy fighter pilot Rob Ceravolo and partner Nick Veltre, has added an eight- passenger seaplane to its offering.

Jarrod Salduski, director of business development for the company, said that this will allow it to expand its seaplane service to additional destinations within The Bahamas.

“We have scheduled service on Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays and Mondays to Bimini from Fort Lauderdale. That is our scheduled service,” he explained. “We can provide charter services seven days a week. With a larger aircraft, an eight-passenger caravan, we are now able to provide additional destination options in the Bahamas, which can include the Exumas or West End, Grand Bahama, for instance.

“With the larger aircraft we can fly to nearly anywhere in the Bahamas by private charter. We’re excited. We can take up to eight passengers. We can go into Staniel Ca,y for example, we could fly into George Town, we could go to Fresh Creek, we could go to North Eleuthera.” Mr Sadulski added: “The sky is the limit now. We are fully licensed and insured, and we are excited and ready to meet the needs of the travelers, and ready to show them the great things the Bahamas has to offer. Folks love the new caravan. It’s air-conditioned; it’s just a great airplane. Folks have told us how much they enjoy the larger airplane.”

Mr Sadulski further explained that due to recent aviation fees imposed by the Government, the company had lowered its base rate.

“We have lowered our base rate in order to address the additional taxes. It’s a government tax. We understand it and we will do our best to meet the needs of the passengers. The best way to do that is by lowering the base rate,” said Mr Sadulski.