About Us
About Island Birds
It Began With a Pilot Who Wasn’t Ready to Retire.
Island Birds was founded in 2000 by retired USAir Captain Robert T. Lemire, known throughout the islands simply as Captain Bob.
What began with one pilot, one Piper Aztec and a lifelong love of aviation grew into an airline built around a very simple idea: take extraordinary care of the people who trust you to fly them.
THE EARLY YEARS
Before the Airlines, There Was a Young Fighter Pilot
Long before Island Birds, Bob had already spent a lifetime in the cockpit. He had a noble start in his profession, serving his country as a fighter pilot with the New Hampshire National Guard flying F-86D “Sabre Dogs”.
Those early years shaped the discipline, precision, and calm judgment that would define the way he flew for the rest of his life.
36,000 HOURS
Captain Bob
After his military service, Bob built a long and distinguished airline career, accumulating approximately 36,000 flight hours in aircraft ranging from the Convair 240 to the Boeing 767.
He retired to the British Virgin Islands in 1995, but his love for flying never faded. Flying was simply too much a part of who he was, so inevitably, his retirement didn’t last long.
One pilot.
One Aztec.
One extraordinary idea.
WHERE IT ALL STARTED
From Aztec 40267 to Island Birds.
A New Home in the BVI
After retiring from USAir, Bob settled in the British Virgin Islands. The Caribbean gave him a new home, but it did not diminish his desire to fly.
Island Birds Takes Flight
With himself at the controls and Piper Aztec 40267 as the aircraft, Bob created Island Birds and began flying passengers throughout the islands.
Bring Back the Golden Age of Flying
Bob modeled Island Birds after an era when air travel was personal. Passengers were known by name, service mattered and every detail of the journey was treated as important.
The Standard Remains
The airline grew far beyond that first Aztec, but the philosophy behind Island Birds has remained remarkably simple: personal service, meticulous aircraft care and an uncompromising approach to safety.
THE ISLAND BIRDS WAY
A Different Kind of Airline.
The foundation of Island Birds was never simply transportation. Captain Bob believed flying should feel special.
That meant pampering passengers, paying relentless attention to customer service and providing personal VIP handling throughout the journey.
It also meant recognizing something even more important: none of it matters unless the aircraft, pilots and operation are held to the highest possible standard.
RULE #1
Never Sacrifice Safety for Profit.
Captain Bob was not simply an airline owner. He was an extraordinarily experienced professional pilot who understood exactly what responsible aviation demanded.
That perspective shaped Island Birds from the beginning. Aircraft maintenance, operational discipline and sound decision making were never viewed as expenses to be minimized. They were the foundation of the company.
That principle remains part of the Island Birds identity today.
Service
with Safety.
IT’S OUR MO.
Built One Passenger at a Time.
Captain Bob always understood that Island Birds existed because of the people who chose to fly with him.
Over the years, loyal passengers returned again and again, brought their families, recommended Island Birds to friends and helped a small Caribbean charter operation become something far greater than its beginnings.
That relationship between Island Birds and its passengers remains one of the most important parts of the company’s story.
We’re honored to have you aboard.”
The Story Continues.
The airplanes have changed. The company has grown. The reason we fly has not.