A small carrier based in Marco Island will start offering nonstop air service between Sarasota and Key West a month from today. Sarasota Bradenton International Airport announced the arrangement with Raven Air, which will fly between SRQ and Key West International Airport three days a week starting on Jan. 15. “We’re always looking for more service,” said Fredrick Piccolo, SRQ president and CEO. “We’ve gotten requests for this on a pretty frequent basis. Key West is an eight-hour drive and this will certainly make it more convenient to get there.” 

Raven Air operates a small five-seater Hyper Aztec for interstate flights between Key West and Marco Island, Key West and Fort Myers and now Key West and Sarasota. The company was founded in 2007, and owner Jeffrey Fonner said this flight marked the furthest north destination serviced by the company. “If more demand comes up in Sarasota, we’ll be able to grow into that market,” Fonner said. The company could potentially offer service as well to Miami and Tallahassee.

Service will be offered rear-round on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays, with flights departing Key West to Sarasota at 9:50am, then returning from Sarasota at 11:30am. Passengers may book flights starting today, with prices starting at $129 each way.

The announcement comes the same week that WestJet begins seasonal service between SRQ and Toronto Pearson International Airport. Piccolo says the airport is also looking for other interstate service, such as to Fort Lauderdale and Miami, or to Tallahassee at least during the annual legislative session.