Madison Summer Seaplane Trips to NYC, Block Island Booking Dates

MADISON, CT - With summer just about here, officials are reminding everyone about the “Wings2Madison” Seaplane Service that is now available to wing tourists in slightly more than a half-hour to New York City and Block Island.

The Madison Economic Development Commission last year launched the partnership. that will enable and promote seaplane service from Madison’s beaches to New York City.

As of now, if bookings are enough, trips are slated to NYC on Saturday July 30th, Thursday July 12th, Saturday August 4th, Saturday August 18th; to Block Island on Saturday July 7th, Saturday August 11th.

Service will initially be available through Shoreline Aviation, a Tweed New Haven Airport based operation with its original roots in Madison. Shoreline Aviation, which is owned by Guilford residents John Kelly and Andrea Collingwood, was originally based at Madison’s Griswold Airport. The aviation firm now operates six Cessna 208 Caravans, the largest new amphibious aircraft in production today. The aircraft can carry nine passengers.

Madison-based travel agency, Biehn Travel will facilitate the charter and sight-seeing reservation process. John Biehn, principal of the agency was instrumental in establishing the informal partnership, which enables visitors and residents to travel from the Seaplane Base at East 23rd street in Manhattan to Madison in about 40 minutes.

In addition to providing charter service between Manhattan and Madison, the partnership also will allow for scheduling sightseeing trips, charters to Long Island, Block Island, the Cape and more.

“It is EDC's goal to increase Madison's visibility to potential summer tourists, renters and residents by partnering with businesses like Shoreline Aviation to offer amenities that highlight some of Madison's amazing natural resources,” said Ryan Duques, chairman of the Madison Economic Development Commission.

Duques said there is one need - a launch boat captain.

“So far we have been counting on a few volunteers or on Shoreline Aviation's launch boat, but that vessel is now on Long Island for the summer,” Duques said. “The launch must be capable of carrying 8 passengers and cannot have a roof / top as the boat will be going under the plane's wing. Launch service is used to drop off and pick off passengers, bringing them from where the plane lands, off Tuxis Island to West Wharf. Stipend is provided for each trip, which are generally scheduled far in advance. Interested candidates should send an email to: andersond@madisonct.org’’

For specific information on booking a trip, please contact:

John Biehn at Biehn Travel: (203) 245-7333 or jbiehn@sbcglobal.net
or Andrea at Shoreline Aviation at andrea@shorelineaviation.com