Tailwind Air Suspends Seaplane Operations, Seeks Investor for Revival

Tailwind Air Service (PGN, Farmingdale) has suspended its seaplane operations after struggling with profitability. The commuter model, which offered exclusive seaplane shuttles between Boston Harbor and New York Manhattan, failed to attract sufficient investment and is now on hold, according to the Boston Globe.

Chief Executive Officer Alan Ram revealed that negotiations with a potential partner to revive the service this summer did not succeed. Despite this setback, he remains hopeful for a deal that could see the return of the seaplane service in 2025. “This was a great time saver for people. If we can find the right partner, we’ll keep doing it,” Ram told the Boston Globe.

Tailwind Air’s seaplane operation, which used Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX amphibians, initially ran from August to November 2021. The service, which had commuter authority from the Department of Transportation (DOT), was a codeshare with Southern Airways Express (9X, Memphis International). The airline also offered flights to Nantucket, Provincetown, Plymouth, East Hampton, Shelter Island, Montauk, and Sag Harbor.

The company’s goal was to provide faster travel compared to traditional flights or rail options, boasting 40%-60% time savings. However, despite flying nearly 3,000 passengers last year—up from 2,700 in 2022—many flights were underbooked, and Tailwind needed an average of five passengers per trip to break even.

Tailwind’s original plan included expanding its fleet from three to fifteen Cessna amphibians within 3.5 years and serving 15 to 25 destinations within a 350-nautical-mile radius from East Coast cities. The company also intended to expand to Florida, with seasonal operations to South Florida, the Bahamas, and the Florida Keys during the Northeast winter season.

For now, Tailwind will shift its focus back to its private jet charter business while seeking new investment opportunities.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com