Alma Air Lands Colombia’s 1st Commercial Seaplane in Medellín After 70 Years

Carrier nears air operator certificate as seaplane service launches

Commercial seaplanes have returned to Colombia after a seven-decade absence, with the arrival in Medellín of the first amphibious aircraft in ALMA Air‘s fleet — a milestone for the country’s aviation sector, tourism industry, and regional connectivity.

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The aircraft departed from Fort Pierce, Florida, and made stops in the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Panama before landing in Medellín, completing a 1,555-nautical-mile journey over roughly 11 hours of flight. Three pilots took turns operating the crossing, and ALMA Air CEO Rupert Stebbings joined the aircraft in Panama for the final leg into Colombia.

With the arrival, Medellín becomes ALMA Air’s first base of operations as the company advances a plan to expand to Cartagena during 2026. The initiative aims to reshape air mobility in Colombia through amphibious connections to tourist destinations, coastal areas, and territories that are otherwise difficult to reach.

“Today we are not just bringing an aircraft to Colombia; we are giving the country back a way to connect with its geography, its tourism, and its enormous natural potential.” — Rupert Stebbings, CEO, ALMA Air

Although the company has already completed technical training and maintenance reviews abroad, it is now entering a key phase of coordination with Colombian authorities. ALMA Air said it will work alongside the country’s civil aviation authority, the Aeronáutica Civil, to ensure that the return of seaplanes operates under the highest operational safety standards — something the company describes as an essential part of its corporate DNA.

In parallel, the carrier will pursue approvals with agencies including the maritime authority Dirección General Marítima (DIMAR), the Ministerio de Transporte, and various municipalities to obtain the permits required at future water-landing sites. Among the first zones projected for operation are Barú, the Pacific coast, Guatapé, Ayapel, and Mompox, with the company noting that additional destinations across other regions will follow.

“Today we are not just bringing an aircraft to Colombia; we are giving the country back a way to connect with its geography, its tourism, and its enormous natural potential,” said Rupert Stebbings, CEO of ALMA Air. “This flight represents years of preparation, investment, and technical work to ensure that the return of seaplanes is done to the highest standards of safety and sustainability. Colombia has coastlines, rivers, lakes, and unique destinations that deserve new mobility alternatives, and at ALMA Air we believe we are about to open a new chapter for the country’s regional and tourism aviation.”

ALMA Air added that its team and operations are fully structured and that it is in the final stretch of obtaining its Air Operator Certificate (AOC), the indispensable requirement for beginning commercial service. Once that process is complete, the company expects to open a new era for tourism and regional aviation in Colombia, offering travelers a transport experience it describes as innovative, efficient, and connected to the country’s natural richness.

ALMA Air, established by Irelandia Aviation, first detailed its Colombia plans to Finance Colombia in an earlier exclusive interview with Stebbings.

Alma Air’s 1st Cessna Grand Caravan Seaplane (photo: Loren Moss)