Tropic Ocean Airways (Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood) has announced it will start scheduled passenger service to St. Petersburg’s downtown Albert Whitted Airport. The airline will operate twice-weekly Cessna 208B Grand Caravan flights from its FLL base starting on February 1.

Downtown St. Petersburg (and Tampa across Tampa Bay) are the birthplace locations of the first scheduled airline service in the world.

The airline started operations in 2009 and is owned by Rob Ceravolo and Nick Veltre.

The airline issued this statement:

Successful Florida based airline, Tropic Ocean Airways, is pleased to announce the launch of a new scheduled service from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to Downtown St Petersburg.

The new service, beginning February 1, 2016, will allow for business trips between Downtown St Pete and South Florida, as well as leisure travel for week and weekends trips.

The new service will be operated by Tropic Ocean Airways new Wheeled Cessna Caravan Ex aircraft with executive style seating for up to 9 guests. The twice-weekly service will begin on  February 1, 2016 and will operate on Mondays and Fridays with two flights per day.

Monday and Friday Scheduled Service

Depart FLL 06:30 – Arrive SPG 07:48
Depart SPG 08:24 – Arrive FLL 09:42
Depart FLL 16:00 – Arrive SPG 17:18
Depart SPG 17:54 – Arrive FLL 19:12

The announcement of Tropic Ocean Airways new service further establishes the success of the airline since it began in 2009. During 2015 Tropic Ocean Airways added several new scheduled service destinations and also expanded popular existing routes by adding extra flight days. Tropic Ocean Airways are set to continue their success and expand their services further in 2016 with new routes to be announced for The Florida Keys and destinations in The Bahamas such as Fresh Creek, Andros, North Eleuthera, Cat Cay, and more.

Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. Cessna 208B Grand Caravan N339TA (msn 208B5179) departs from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.