Antilles Air Boats
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Airline |
| Founded | 1963 |
| Founder | Charles F. Blair Jr. |
| Defunct | 1981 |
| Fate | Acquired by Air Resorts |
| Headquarters | US Virgin Islands |
Area served | St Thomas, St Croix, San Juan, Fajardo, Saint John, Tortola, Peter Island |
| Products | Commuter airline services |
Antilles Air Boats was a commuter airline established in 1963 by Charles F. Blair Jr., with its base located in the US Virgin Islands.
History
The airline provided scheduled service connecting St Thomas, St Croix, and San Juan. Over time, its fleet grew to include 27 propeller-driven amphibious aircraft from the World War II era, well-suited for brief overwater flights. In 1974, the company purchased two Sandringham flying boats previously operated by Ansett Flying Boat Services. Additionally, in 1967, Antilles Air Boats acquired the final remaining Sikorsky VS-44 "Excambian," which continued operations until it was damaged in 1969.
On September 2, 1978, Charles F. Blair Jr., founder and president, tragically died while piloting Antilles Air Boats Flight 941, which was carrying ten passengers. Following this event, his then-wife, actress Maureen O'Hara, took over leadership for a six-month period (1978–1979), marking her as the first female president and CEO of a U.S.-based airline.
On March 22, 1977, American Airlines launched American Inter-Island Airlines and contracted Antilles Air Boats to operate their fleet of Convair 440 aircraft. Later, in 1981, Antilles Air Boats was acquired by Air Resorts.
Destinations
During its operational years, Antilles Air Boats served these locations:
Fleet
The airline's aircraft inventory consisted of:
Accidents and Incidents
- November 5, 1978: A Grumman G-21A Goose was severely damaged beyond repair during an FAA test flight caused by engine malfunction, resulting in a ditching offshore.
- September 2, 1978: While flying from Christiansted to Charlotte Amalie, a Grumman Goose experienced failure of its left engine. Pilot and founder Charles F. Blair Jr. crashed attempting an unauthorized ground effect maneuver; four individuals lost their lives.
- June 4, 1978: A Goose operating between Charlotte Amalie and Christiansted suffered left engine failure; the pilot successfully ditched near the coastline with all eleven passengers surviving.
- April 5, 1978: Shortly after departing St John, a Grumman Goose encountered dual engine shutdown amid stormy weather conditions and ditched; all seven passengers survived but both pilots perished.
- February 21, 1976: A Goose traveling from Charlotte Amalie to Christiansted ditched following right engine failure; five passengers died while others were rescued.
- June 18, 1971: Double engine failure forced a ditching near Fajardo resulting in two fatalities and nine injuries.
- November 14, 1970: A Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina experienced mechanical issues on approach to the Christiansted seaplane base; it diverted to Christiansted-Alexander Hamilton Airport where the landing gear collapsed upon landing; no injuries occurred.