CARIBAVIA 2025

30th birthday, new Grand Caravan on the way

Since 1995 St Barth Commuter has transported thousands of travellers - locals, professionals, families, couples, and adventurers - to destinations like Saint Martin, St Maarten, Antigua, San Juan, Dominica, the Grenadines, and many more,” said CEO Bertrand Magras, who is now running the business, together with his sister Stephanie, as COO.

Their father Bruno Magras and co-founder Michel Martinon established the company in 1994, obtained the first Air Operator Certificate in April 1995 and its now flown almost one million passengers.

In 2024, St Barth Commuter operated 2,100 charters and 4,100 scheduled flights. Charters account for around 30% of total flights, significantly contributing to revenues with a near 60/40 split between charter and regular operations.

St Barth Commuter and fellow operators, WinAir, TradeWinds and St Barth Executive provide essential air service (for airline and executive jet passengers) into St Barth Airport.

With its restricted 2,100ft, 60ft wide runway, it can accommodate no larger than (19-seater) DH6 Twin Otters.

In peak season (March to November) near 100 ‘last mile services’ connect daily with business jet arrivals from Princess Juliana International and Grand Case Airport. The 15-minute St Maarten service is ‘international,’ being on the Dutch side, whereas Grand Case (France) is domestic, a mere eight-10 minutes’ flying.

“We have a unique operation here,” said Bertrand Magras, and our pilots love the approaches. They have re-evaluation testing every six months because we operate in such a challenging, and busy environment. St Barth Commuter runs its own fire and rescue department and also occupies the sole 4,300-sq-ft hangar on the airfield where it undertakes all maintenance inhouse, including engine swaps on the PT6s.

Stephanie Magras was delighted to collaborate with Women in Aviation International and the newly launched Carib Skies Chapter to host a Girls in Aviation Day the day after CARIBAVIA.