FLORIDA COASTAL AIRLINES (FCA)
Florida Coastal began flying in 1995 with routes from the Florida mainland to the Keys and the Bahamas using a fleet of 9-passenger Cessna 402s. The carrier was based at Ft. Pierce, Florida.
Cessna 402 N78FC is seen flying above the 7 Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys, circa 2004.
Cessna 402 N78FC is seen flying above the 7 Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys, circa 2004.
In 2004, FCA was operating routes from Ft. Lauderdale to Key West, Marathon, and Ft. Pierce in Florida as well as Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay, both located on the island of Great Abaco in the Bahamas.
Florida Coastal Cessna 402 N78FC over the Florida Keys.
In 2005, FCA's website listed a fleet of five aircraft:
3 Cessna 402C- Short Field Performance - 9 Seats
1 Cessna 402C - Long haul - 7 seats
1 Cessna 402C - Long haul - 9 seats
Below: FCA route map from Summer 2005.
3 Cessna 402C- Short Field Performance - 9 Seats
1 Cessna 402C - Long haul - 7 seats
1 Cessna 402C - Long haul - 9 seats
Below: FCA route map from Summer 2005.
The day-to-day operations of Florida Coastal were the subject of a popular DVD released by World Air Routes. Needless to say, the scenery was gorgeous.
FCA ceased operations in 2006 but resumed service shortly thereafter under new ownership, concentrating on routes to the Bahamas and dropping service to the Keys. The Saab 340 was added to the fleet to increase capacity.
FCA Saab 340A N157SD (msn 157) seen in generic white livery at Ft. Lauderdale on March 10, 2010. Photo by Wade DeNero via Planespotters.net.
FCA Saab 340A N157SD (msn 157) seen in generic white livery at Ft. Lauderdale on March 10, 2010. Photo by Wade DeNero via Planespotters.net.
In May 2010, FCA President Albert Vitale sent in this information:
FCA is in the process of adding its 2nd and 3rd Saab to the fleet and has also added a Merlin IIB and Metro III. It will be phasing out the Cessna 402s for Caravan 208Bs.
By the end of May 2010 FCA expects to operate the following fleet:
3 Saab 340A
1 Metro III (Sa 227AC)
1 Merlin IIB
2 Cessna 402C
FCA is now the largest carrier between Ft Lauderdale and Cap Haitian, Haiti. It also serves: Congotown, South Andros, Bahamas Bimini, Bahamas North Eleuthera and Governors Harbor, Eleuthera, Bahamas New Bight, Cat Island, Bahamas and Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba.
In February 2011, Joey Saet provided this update:
Florida Coastal Airlines (FCA) is no longer in business. Florida Coastal was purchased by Lynx Air in 2008. Lynx Air was forced by the FAA to turn over their Air Carrier Certificate for faulty maintenance practices. After that happened, Lynx Air started operations using the Florida Coastal Certificate they had purchased. In July 2010 Florida Coastal Airlines was purchased by Salsa Airlines of Haiti. This only lasted until August 2010 because their planes (one Saab and one 402) were repossessed by the owner, thus bringing an end to Florida Coastal Airlines/Lynx Air/Salsa.
FCA is in the process of adding its 2nd and 3rd Saab to the fleet and has also added a Merlin IIB and Metro III. It will be phasing out the Cessna 402s for Caravan 208Bs.
By the end of May 2010 FCA expects to operate the following fleet:
3 Saab 340A
1 Metro III (Sa 227AC)
1 Merlin IIB
2 Cessna 402C
FCA is now the largest carrier between Ft Lauderdale and Cap Haitian, Haiti. It also serves: Congotown, South Andros, Bahamas Bimini, Bahamas North Eleuthera and Governors Harbor, Eleuthera, Bahamas New Bight, Cat Island, Bahamas and Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba.
In February 2011, Joey Saet provided this update:
Florida Coastal Airlines (FCA) is no longer in business. Florida Coastal was purchased by Lynx Air in 2008. Lynx Air was forced by the FAA to turn over their Air Carrier Certificate for faulty maintenance practices. After that happened, Lynx Air started operations using the Florida Coastal Certificate they had purchased. In July 2010 Florida Coastal Airlines was purchased by Salsa Airlines of Haiti. This only lasted until August 2010 because their planes (one Saab and one 402) were repossessed by the owner, thus bringing an end to Florida Coastal Airlines/Lynx Air/Salsa.
