Air Caribbean (Puerto Rico)
| Founded | 1975 Puerto Rico |
|---|---|
| Ceased operations | 1979 |
| Operating bases |
Air Caribbean was an airline that served from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, then Isla Verde International Airport, in San Juan. The 1970s and 1980s were decades when several Puerto Rican airlines existed and competed against each other, including Prinair, Vieques Air Link and Dorado Wings. Believing a share of the market profits could be gained, Air Caribbean was created in 1975.
There was one thread in common between Puerto Rican airlines of the time: Since at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport they would face tough, jet competition from major airlines (such as American, Air France, British Caledonian, Delta, Eastern, Iberia, Lufthansa and Mexicana, to name a few) shall they try to offer jet services to further away cities, they would have faced economical problems. Most of them (except Prinair, which actually had a service to Florida for a short period of time), stuck to routes around the Caribbean.
Air Caribbean was not the exception. The airline used DC-3 aircraft from its beginnings, to nearby Caribbean islands, and to Rafael Hernández Airport in Aguadilla. The airline was prominent for some time among Puerto Rican travellers and American tourists, as it provided, with Prinair, the only two commercial air services to Aguadilla and easier access to nearby Quebradillas. The 1970s, as it is widely known, were difficult times for airlines because of the oil crisis (1973 and 1979) and deregulation of the industry in the U.S.
In addition, another competitor, Aero Virgin Islands from the U.S. Virgin Islands, proved an impossible obstacle to overcome for Air Caribbean. In 1979, the airline had its last flight. Aero Virgin Islands also outlasted Prinair; out of the aforementioned Caribbean airlines, the only one still providing service is Vieques Air Link.