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Failure to attract investment leads to end of Tailwind Air's seaplane services

Failure to attract investment leads to end of Tailwind Air's seaplane services
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Alan Ram CEO of Tailwind Air | Official Website

Tailwind Air LLC, an American commuter and charter airline, ceased operations in 2024. The company, which began in 2014, operated out of Westchester Airport and Sikorsky Memorial Airport with seaplane bases in New York and Boston. However, their inability to attain profitability led to the grounding of their seaplane operations in August 2024. Their commuter air carrier certificate was revoked on December 31, 2024.

Alan Ram, the CEO of Tailwind Air, sought investors to rescue the airline, but those efforts were not successful. As reported by the Boston Globe, Ram attempted to restart the Boston Harbor to New York Skyports service but failed to secure necessary funding. Despite a 10% increase in passengers in 2023, which amounted to over 3,000 passengers, Tailwind Air could not sustain profitable operations as most flights were under-booked, with fares ranging from $400 to $800 per person.

Tailwind Air offered unique seaplane services between Boston and New York, making the trip in 90 minutes. This service was marketed as being faster than traditional air travel or rail services. Additionally, routes to destinations such as Nantucket, Sunset Beach in New York, and Newport State Airport in Rhode Island were in operation. Tailwind Air boasted a fleet of 16 aircraft, including both seaplanes and private jets.

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The company aimed to revolutionize regional travel with its seaplanes, viewing them as a way to bypass congested city traffic. Tailwind's seaplanes flew from Boston Harbor to Manhattan's East River, significantly cutting travel time compared to alternatives. Despite these advantages, the business failed to secure the financial backing needed for sustainability.

Looking forward, Tailwind Air had hoped to expand its seaplane fleet and routes, including moving operations to Florida and offering charter flights to the Bahamas. However, the company is now concentrating efforts on its land-based jets, as per CEO Ram. Additionally, they reported seeking new operators for their former seaplane terminal at New York Skyports Seaplane Base.

"We had a base, they tried it, they liked it and it was kind of growing, and even then awareness was still pretty low. To make something sustainable at this time scale, it does take seven figure or eight figure investments, which we haven't generated yet. This was a great time-saver for people. If we can find the right partner, we’ll keep doing it," stated Alan Ram, CEO of Tailwind Air.

Even though the company’s seaplane operations have ended, the demand for quicker travel between New York and Boston persists.

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