As they gut it out in the toughest economy to hit general aviation in history, business owners could be forgiven for dreaming of being stranded on a tropical island. But what if that island came with five airplanes and a profitable charter business that has barely been touched by the recession? After building it from a single-aircraft operation 11 years ago into Fiji’s largest charter operator, Pacific Islands Seaplanes owner Dusty Simon says he’s looking for a change. “I’m 70 years old. It’s time for me to move on to my next adventure,” he said. Simon was asking $5.2 million for the operation.
The deal includes two de Havilland Beavers and a turbine-powered de Havilland Otter, all on amphibious floats. There are two Britten-Norman Islanders on wheels. Both Beavers just underwent a full restoration and all the aircraft are well maintained Simon said. All the buildings and equipment at Nadi International Airport are included as are operating licenses that allow the company’s aircraft access to the whole country. As for Simon, the former Canadian rancher and logger is looking forward to literally getting back in the saddle. “I just bought a ranch in Brazil,” he said.
