Tradewind Aviation will take delivery of two, new Pilatus PC-12 NG turboprop singles this fall after launching scheduled shuttle service from White Plains, New York, to Newport, Rhode Island, in July, and resuming shuttle service to Anguilla in the eastern Caribbean later this year. The Connecticut-based scheduled and private charter operator said its new PC-12s will join its current fleet of 18 of the type, as well as three Cessna Citation CJ3 light jets.
The fleet upgrade occurs as Tradewind marks its 20th year in business. Founded by brothers and pilots Eric and David Zipkin using a Cessna Grand Caravan in 2001, Tradewind has grown from five employees to 180 and offers private charter and scheduled service to five Caribbean destinations and six in the Northeast U.S., including New York City, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket in Massachusetts, and Stowe, Vermont.
“From the start, we have been a part of the evolution of private aviation from a luxury to a utility, and we will continue to innovate as our market grows,” said Tradewind president Eric Zipkin. “It’s exciting to look back at our two decades of innovation in private aviation and we’re looking forward to launching several new domestic and Caribbean routes in the fall.”