Wheels Up announced a new strategic partnership and a minority investment in Tropic Ocean Airways. Tropic Ocean Airways is the world's largest amphibious airline and leading provider of last-mile private charter and scheduled service in Florida, the North-eastern United States, the Bahamas, the Caribbean and beyond.
Wheels Up's multiyear commercial arrangement is the next move in its attempts to grow the addressable market for its product offerings and provide a seamless first- to last-mile travel solution for its members and consumers. Tropic Ocean's charter and select scheduled by-the-seat services will be integrated into Wheels Up's marketplace. Wheels Up members and customers will be able to book and pay for Tropic Ocean flights directly through their standard Wheels Up booking methods.
The parties' initial objective is to increase Wheels Up customers' access to alternatives inside Tropic Ocean's present service region. In addition, the parties hope to expand into new markets throughout the United States and the Caribbean.
Along with the commercial agreement, Wheels Up announced a minority capital investment in Tropic Ocean, a first for the company, to support Tropic Ocean's continued growth and specific shared initiatives under the commercial agreement, such as introducing new flight offerings exclusively for Wheels Up customers.
"Wheels Up is a clear leader in private aviation, and we're excited to partner with them in offering even more seamless travel options to their members and customers. This partnership will also help us extend the reach of our existing products, invest in our operational capabilities, and expand our offerings
-Rob Ceravolo, Tropic Ocean CEO