St Barth Executive, a French VIP air charter service based in the Caribbean, is scheduled to be the launch customer of Tecnam’s twin-engine P2012 STOL, the aircraft manufacturer announced.
According to Tecnam, the short field capabilities of the 11-place aircraft make it the perfect platform for a unique environment such as the West Indies.
Designed as a commuter and cargo aircraft, the P2012 STOL will be used for scheduled service from Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport (TFFR) in Guadeloupe to Gustaf III Airport (TFFJ) in St. Barth. The aircraft will be the first to be operated under the Air Inter Iles brand by St Barth Executive, with three flights per day and up to six flights per day during the high season.
The flight is less than an hour and will allow travel between islands that were previously only accessible by boat.
“We are delighted that St Barth Executive has chosen the P2012 STOL,” Giovanni Pascale, Tecnam managing director, said in a statement. “It is the right aircraft for their operations. We are proud to see our aircraft landing at this iconic airport.”
The P2012 STOL is a turbocharged, twin-engine high wing aircraft that can be flown single pilot. Designers say the cabin is ergonomic and has excellent leg room and underseat storage.
“We are thrilled to begin a new era for St Barth Executive with new scheduled services betweenGuadeloupe and St. Barth,” said Vincent Beauvarlet, president of St Barth Executive. “We have been waiting for more than 10 years for a type of aircraft capable of flying between our islands, with very specific runways.”
The airline also operates a fleet of Pilatus PC-12 NG/NGX.
Beauvarlet noted that the runways are short and very technical, requiring both an appropriate STOL aircraft and a pilot with good short field skills. The capability of the P2012 STOL allows St Barth Executive to expand its operation.
“No business plan was realistic until the launch of the P2012 STOL for our islands and the passenger, cargo, and medevac activities we need to develop,” Beauvarlet said.
