HYANNIS – Cape Air is continuing to expand its service territory and operations.
The regional airline is now bringing seaplane service to the Northeast with its recent purchase of the largest seaplane operator in the region.
Cape Air has combined operations with the Connecticut-based Shoreline Aviation to provide passengers with greater convenience and connectivity while traveling across the Northeast.
The merger sets the foundation for Cape Air to launch seaplane operations in Boston Harbor, with service to New York’s East River at the 23rd Street Seaplane Base. Plans also call for service between the 23rd Street Seaplane Base and Provincetown to be operational this summer.
“We’ve been working on this project for over six years and it’s finally coming to fruition,” said Cape Air owner Dan Wolf.
“The primary service is going to be between Boston Harbor and the East River in New York City. But, I think it’s going to open up some really interesting charter opportunities around the Cape and Islands, both from New York, and again its downtown New York at 23rd Street, and from Boston Harbor. That’s an exciting dimension to the Cape and Islands transportation that hasn’t happened in years.”
Cape Air will assume operations for regular seasonal commuter service, including flights between the 23rd Street Seaplane Base to East Hampton, Shelter Island and Montauk.
Shoreline Aviation was founded in 1980. In its 40th year, it’s the largest seaplane operator on the East Coast, providing aircraft charter and management services throughout the Northeast, Florida, The Bahamas, and the Caribbean.
“The business model is pretty similar in a lot of ways. You’re operating on and off water, which has its own set of aviation nuances and challenges. But, one of the reasons we did the Shoreline deal is because they’re extremely experienced, the most experienced in the business and it brings that capacity and that experience and wisdom into the Cape Air family,” Wolf said.
Shoreline’s fleet consists of ten Cessna Caravan Amphibians, including three new Cessna Caravan EX aircraft. These aircraft feature larger cabins with more interior space, providing passengers a window seat and more legroom.
The Cessna Caravan EX model also features an 867 horsepower Pratt & Whitney Turbine Engine and larger Wipline 8750 floats for better handling in rough water. The planes are equipped with state-of-the-art avionics for navigation and communications, with XM weather capability and Synthetic Vision Technology.
Shoreline Aviation President John Kelly said that they had looked at several other options before choosing to partner with Cape Air.
“The deciding factor was Cape Air’s dedication to a culture of support for their employees and their extensive track record of maintaining the highest level of safety standards. We were impressed by their employee training, their aircraft maintenance, and their commitment to excellence in operations and in customer service, all components of our own business philosophy,” Kelly said.
“With this merger we will be able to expand the reach of seaplanes throughout the Northeast and other regions as well, providing scheduled service, on-demand charter, and seamless travel options to customers of both companies.”
Cape Air is one of the largest independent regional airlines in the United States, serving over 35 mainland U.S. cities as well as the Caribbean.
The employee-owned company has grown from three flights a day between Provincetown and Boston in 1989 to a fleet of 84 Cessna 402s, 4 Britten-Norman Islanders, with up to 400 flights a day and service to over 500,000 passengers annually.
By TIM DUNN, CapeCod.com News Center
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