Subject:
Title
Airline Operating and Use Agreement with BermudAir Limited Co. for operation of scheduled international commercial air service at the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the Airline Operating and Use Agreement (Agreement) with BermudAir Limited Co. for operation of international commercial service at the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE).
• The new one-year Agreement for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 will be administered through PIE’s Airline Service Incentive Program, with no direct operating revenue to PIE; however, the resulting increase in airline service is expected to provide indirect revenue through parking, concessions, and other airport services.
• The Agreement term commences on December 1, 2026, through November 30, 2027, and includes four additional one-year renewal options.
• The service introduces nonstop service to Turks and Caicos and Belize, the only airport and airline offering nonstop service to these destinations in this regional area. In addition, they will have a connecting service flight to Anguilla from Turks and Caicos one day a week.
• The revenue included in this Operating and Use Agreement is not included in the FY27 Budget of PIE in the Airport Revenue and Operating Fund.
Authorize the Chairman to sign and the Clerk of the Circuit Court to attest.
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Strategic Priorities:
Prosperity and Opportunity
3.2 Provide and promote tourism opportunities.
3.3 Increase workforce opportunities.
3.5 Foster business growth.
Smart Service Delivery
4.2 Achieve and maintain a high level of customer satisfaction.
Summary:
Summary
This agreement introduces BermudAir as a new carrier at PIE, launching two new international nonstop destinations, and one connecting destination from the Tampa Bay area. BermudAir will operate twice-weekly service to Turks and Caicos, and one weekly service to Anguilla from December 21, 2026, through May 3, 2027, and twice-weekly service to Belize from December 20, 2026, through May 2, 2027.
The flights to Turks and Caicos and Belize represent the only nonstop service flights available in the Tampa Bay area, capturing an unserved premium leisure market. The flight operating to Anguilla stops in Turks and Caicos and proceeds to Anguilla.
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Background Information:
BermudAir was founded in 2023 by CEO Adam Scott to deliver luxury, premium air service between Bermuda and the U.S. East Coast. Initially launching with Embraer E175 aircraft, the airline has since expanded its capacity with Embraer E190 aircraft in a two-class configuration, establishing itself as a leading premium leisure carrier to Bermuda and the Caribbean. The seating capacity for the E-190 is 96 seats.
To support BermudAir’s scheduled international service, airport management has finalized operational readiness plans with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials. Passengers arriving nonstop from Turks and Caicos, Anguilla, and Belize will be processed by CBP personnel through PIE’s Federal Inspection Services (FIS) facility.
Fiscal Impact:
This Agreement is not anticipated to have a direct impact on operating expenses, but is expected to provide additional revenue for concessions, parking, and other airport services. There is no expected increase to user fee revenue (landing fees, terminal rentals, etc.) at this time as the Agreement provides a two-year waiver for qualifying services. The revenue is estimated at $45,000 in FY27 and is not budgeted for in the FY27 Budget of PIE in the Airport Revenue and Operating Fund. This is expected to create unanticipated revenue for the Airport Revenue and Operating Fund, which could be recognized through amendment. In the event that future fiscal year funding is not available for this agreement, the County maintains the authority to terminate this agreement.
Staff Member Responsible:
Mark E. Sprague, Director, St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport
Partners:
BermudAir
Attachments:
Airline Operating and Use Agreement