Story ID: 
Tradewind Aviation Establishes Southeast U.S. Base
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: Florida facility allows air charter firm to expand service in region
Word Count: 237
Private charter and scheduled service provider Tradewind Aviation is opening its first base in the Southeast U.S. at Palm Beach International Airport (KPBI) in Florida. The move responds to a rise in demand for convenient travel in the region, the Connecticut-based company said.
Founded in 2001, Tradewind operates a fleet of Pilatus PC-12s and Cessna Citation CJ3s. It offers service throughout the Northeast with flights to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts and Newport, Rhode Island. Since its expansion into the Caribbean 18 years ago, Tradewind serves destinations such as St. Barths, Anguilla, and Antigua.
The KPBI facility will facilitate Tradewind’s charter operations to the Bahamas and other islands. Customers using the new location will also benefit from the company’s Goodspeed card program, which allows clients to pay only for the time they fly, with no repositioning fees. For new Goodspeed members, Tradewind is offering a bonus of a complimentary flight hour or a $1,000 credit on their first flight in the Southeast.
“Our new Southeast hub will be pivotal to our efforts in better serving Tradewind’s growing client base throughout the region,” said company co-founder and CEO Eric Zipkin. “As we continue to further elevate the Tradewind offering and expand to new destinations, our new Southeast Florida base is a major advantage to ensuring the success of our operation and plans for future growth.”