AIRCRAFT CHARTERS / GROUND HANDLING

Seaborne Airlines - USVI

Seaborne Airlines have a fleet of seaplanes operating between the waterfront at Charlotte Amalie and St Croix, Puerto Rico, Culebra and the BVI. They have scheduled flights running over 70 times a day, and also offer private charters, as required. Flight times can be very short indeed, prices are economical and 'check-in' is speedy and simple - making for a highly reliable, comfortable and time efficient way of moving guests / crew between the islands.

The planes also fly at low altitudes, which makes for some exciting aerial views and photo opportunities throughout the trip! Seaborne Airlines came highly recommended to us again last season for their characterful and stylish airborne travel throughout the Spanish, British and US Virgin Islands.

As well as being thoroughly professional, their pilots are also some of the friendliest and welcoming hosts that any airline could wish to have. Seaborne Airlines in St. Thomas are located on the waterfront in Charlotte Amalie... just next door to the yacht, if you are moored stern to the wall or at anchor in the Bay.

With St. Croix just 18 minutes away on a Seaborne flight, guests or crew can literally fly there for lunch! These timings certainly make great possibilities for some highly relaxing day trips. The Puerto Rico connection is 45 minutes away from St. Thomas and is a really excellent option for weekend or day visits to San Juan, as the seaplane terminal is located right in the heart of ‘Downtown’ Old San Juan.

Wherever you are travelling in the US or Spanish Virgin Islands, Avis car rentals have convenient rental offices at or nearby the Seaborne wharfside terminals (see ‘Car Rental’ section) making for a very convenient and efficient transfer from ‘air to land.’

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Contacts:
Tel:(340) 773 6442
Fax (340) 773 8798

LIVE LINK
Website:www.seaborneairlines.com

Bohlke International Airways - USVI

This aviation services company has been operating in the U.S.V.I. for over 45 years, in the care of owners Bill Bohlke and his wife Tuddy.

This is a first class company with customer service at the very heart of their organization; for whom we received another round of excellent Captains feedback again last year. They have a first class choice of cabin pressurized Jets and turbo prop aircraft, including their Citation jet aircraft... a very fast and comfortable executive option; and this season are also operating a new Beechcraft Baron aircraft and a King Air. The highest safety standards and rigorous aircraft maintenance are a reassuring feature of this company and their impressive selection of aircraft are first class. Their range of services include ground clearance / customs services, private jet charters (with catering upon request), refueling, weather information, or any other private aviation enquiry one might have. The pedigree of this company is well recognized within the trade and ‘Private Pilot Magazine’ last year voted them as the # 1 FBO in the Caribbean.

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Contact:
St. Croix
Tel:(340) 778 9177 24hrs.
Cell:(340) 771 8498
Fax:(340) 772 5932

LIVE LINKS
Email:bohlke@viaccess.net
Website:www.bohlke.com

St. Thomas Jet Center - USVI

This is a 'mainland style' FBO dedicated to providing guests the smoothest, most professional transfer between jet...taxi / limousine...yacht and vice versa. In addition to this, full concierge services are also offered to yachts and private jet clientele. The business is run by Susan and Michael Hancock - one of whom, is always on site - and who share over 62 years of collective aviation experience between them. They are incredibly focused upon customer service... and have the facilities to provide it - with a recently built 10,000sq.ft.hangar, plus conference room and office for the use of their clients.

The St. Thomas Jet Center have a good choice of aircraft on their books, including the only available jet that is based out of St Thomas (a Citation II); a wide variety of turbo-prop aircraft including a pressurized cabin Beechcraft King Air; a choice of Aztec aircraft for smaller hops, and a dedicated helicopter service offering choices of Bell helicopters which are fully compliant to effect medical regional evacuations. They can also facilitate / advise clients on privately chartered air- freight services, for getting packages / parts and provisions moved from A to B... for any yacht in urgent need! All of these services are offered under the 'umbrella' of the USVI's attractive Tax advantage making them a very competitive regional service provider. Another great service they offer, is their 'Jet Set Auto Rentals', through which they offer crew 'specials' at half price rates ! This always goes down extremely well with yacht crews... who can then use a car at half day rates, for just 28US$ plus tax!

Further to this, Susan Hancock is always happy to help yachting clients in any way she can and has a wealth of local contacts and experience to share with you. With such a comprehensive and welcoming array of services available for visiting yachts, it is certainly a good idea to give Susan or Michael Hancock a telephone call - immediately upon arrival - to rent a vehicle, and discuss one's needs... whether it be for the jet arrival / ground services, charter booking or even hotel / restaurant reservations / recommendations.

In keeping with Susan's dedication to customer service, she is always very keen to hear feedback
from Captains and crew regarding the quality of services they provide... so do let her know your valued feedback and input (and when you tell her that you found the contact for them in the pages of the Superyacht Services Guide... they will, as always, reciprocate with their highest standards and attention to detail). The St. Thomas Jet Center is located at the Cyril E.King Airport, in a highly visible, stand alone hangar at the north end of the airport. From here, they supply Texaco fuel from their very high quality branded fuel storage facility which meets the most rigorous inspection standards that Texaco impose to warrant this certification of quality and standing. The day to day ground handling services are run by Roy Romney - who has been manager here for the past 9 years, and has been working at the airport since 1994! So, for all one's flying needs, and organisational / logistical shoreside challenges, the St Thomas Jet Center will be there to support you in any way they can.

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Contacts:
Tel:(340) 777 9177
Fax:(340) 777 8889

LIVE LINKS
Email:shancock@sttjetcenter.com
Website:www.sttjetcenter.com

Air Carolina (formerly Island Helicopters) - USVI

(see main editorial in BVI section)