Seaborne returns to Puerto Rico market with Twin Otter plan
Seaborne Airlines has announced the purchase of its first De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft and signed a letter of intent with CAVU Aviation Finance to acquire and finance up to three additional planes.
The move represents Seaborne’s largest fleet commitment in years and reflects a renewed focus on its role as a Puerto Rico- and U.S. Virgin Islands-based regional carrier.
Founded in 1992 in St. Croix, USVI, as a seaplane operator, Seaborne later became the only seaplane airline certified under FAR Part 121. Over two decades, it expanded into scheduled land-based service, added Twin Otters to its fleet and became one of the Caribbean’s most active inter-island carriers.
That changed in 2018 when Seaborne was acquired by Silver Airways during a post-hurricane restructuring. Under Silver’s ownership, the two airlines integrated reservation systems and coordinated operations, but Silver’s bankruptcy and closure in mid-2025 ended the affiliation.
Seaborne, which remained structurally separate, has continued operations and is now pursuing independent growth aimed at improving service reliability and regional capacity.
“This announcement of our agreement to purchase a first aircraft and the [letter of intent] for three more is the fuel to reignite the Caribbean air bridge,” said Darrell Richardson, president of Seaborne Airlines.
“With more than 50 years building national airlines, I want Puerto Rico to know that Seaborne is here to stay and will once again be the airline everyone talks about across the Caribbean for its reliability and island hospitality,” he said.
The 19-seat Twin Otter’s short takeoff and landing capability will allow Seaborne to serve short-runway routes across the USVI, Puerto Rico and nearby destinations.
The airline said the fleet renewal will strengthen schedules, improve operations, and support tourism, business and essential travel.
“This step is aligned with what we presented to Gov. Jenniffer González last month and with our shared vision to expand tourism and return Seaborne to its heyday as the Caribbean’s leading regional airline,” said partners Oskar Kowalski and Meir Hurwitz. “We reaffirm our commitment to responsible growth and service to our communities.”
CAVU Aviation Finance, which is supporting the acquisition through a financing agreement, expressed confidence in Seaborne’s plan.
“We are excited to partner with Seaborne in this stage of growth and return,” said Matthew Lorentzen, president and managing partner. “We will stand with Seaborne as it continues to offer exceptional service in the region.”
Before this latest phase, Seaborne operated for decades as a harbor-to-harbor seaplane carrier, known for its St. Thomas-St. Croix shuttle and its role in regional transportation and emergency response.
The airline said it will announce route assignments and entry-into-service dates once final agreements are completed and regulatory approvals are obtained.
