A new airline registered in Bermuda plans to forge routes between the island and Caribbean destinations.

Freedom II Bermuda Limited was granted an Air Operator Certificate by the Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority last week.

Although the fledgling company currently has just one aircraft on its books, it hopes to acquire more planes and develop routes to Anguilla and other Caribbean islands.

The company has its sights on buying two Embraer 170 jets – which can seat up to 78 passengers – for the trips to Anguilla.

A Freedom II spokesman said: “It is hoped that a private market between Bermuda and Anguilla, plus other Caribbean destinations, can be developed. The commercial team within the group is always open to suggestions and requests for charters.

“Future growth plans include the addition to the certificate of two Embraer 170 aircraft, primarily to serve the Aurora Anguilla resort, from the US East Coast with private charter service.”

Last month, Lawrence Scott, the Minister of Transport, said that Bermuda’s cultural ties to the Caribbean could be used as leverage to increase air traffic in the region.

He said: “If Bermuda can connect itself to the Caribbean, it can benefit from both worlds – intra-Caribbean travel but also our close relationship with the United States.

“Us having pre-clearance could be considered intra-North American, or at least East Coast, and so we can position ourselves to benefit from that projected, estimated, almost explosive rebound of air travel in these two core markets.

The minister added that an analysis of the economic impact of Covid-19, carried out by the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organisation, showed that intra-Caribbean travel would rebound faster than any other segment of the industry.

In his statement last month, Mr Scott also revealed that two other airlines were interested in registering here, in part because of Bermuda’s stellar regulatory reputation.

That claim was backed up by the Freedom II spokesman, who said: “The certification process included demonstration flights, document production and evaluations, and both simulator and classroom examinations of flight and cabin crew members to demonstrate compliance with the high standards set by the Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority.”

Freedom II currently flies a custom-fitted Boeing 757 which is registered in Bermuda and is now available worldwide for “on demand, ad hoc VIP charter” after it was purchased by Freedom II in December 2021.

Former clients include musician Lady Gaga and the Liverpool and US Women’s national football teams.

The luxury interior is fitted with 62 business style seats and also features a stateroom with a double bed and a large private en suite bathroom for customers.