Aspen Airways
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Aspen Airways was a former United Express regional air carrier based in Aspen, Colorado. It ceased operations in 1989 when it was acquired by Mesa Airlines and Air Wisconsin Services, Inc.
[edit] History
Aspen Airways was named after the aspen tree and not the town of Aspen, Colorado where it was based.
Aspen Airways was founded in 1952 by Walter Paepske, as the flight department of the Aspen Institute of Humanistic Studies. It was created to fly personnel between Aspen and Denver. The airline's first aircraft were surplus Douglas DC-3s.
In 1963, Aspen Airways was purchased by J.W. "Bill" Ringsby. By this time, Aspen was operating Convair 580s.
In 1985, the airline acquired the BAe 146 and began providing the first commercial turbojet service to Aspen. It inaugurated the jet service from Denver to Aspen, Amarillo, and Lubbock.
In September 1985, Aspen Airways became a United Express carrier, providing regional service from United's Denver hub. By 1986, Aspen Airways was providing non-stop seasonal service from Aspen to Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Chicago, and Long Beach.
In 1989, Aspen offered itself up for sale. Several suitors attempted to purchase the airline. Its employees attempted to acquire the airline, but were unable to come up with the capital. Next, the Giant Group, a conglomeration of cement and recycling companies, offered to purchase the airline, but their offer fell through. In the end, Mesa Airlines acquired Aspen's Denver hub and routes except for the Denver to Aspen route, stations and ground equipment. Air Wisconsin Services Inc., the parent company for Air Wisconsin acquired all of Aspen's common stock, its Aspen routes, and its BAE 146 and Convair 580 aircraft.
Air Wisconsin Services continued to operate Aspen Airways as a wholly owned subsidiary separate from its Air Wisconsin airline from 1990 until 1991 when it merged the two airlines together.
[edit] Fleet
At the time of liquidation, Aspen Airways operated four BAE 146 aircraft and 10 Convair 580 aircraft.
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| Chautauqua Airlines • Colgan Air • GoJet Airlines • Mesa Airlines • Republic Airlines • Shuttle America • SkyWest • Trans States Airlines Former Carriers: Air Wisconsin • Aspen Airways • Atlantic Coast Airlines • Great Lakes Airlines • North Pacific Airlines • Presidential Airways • WestAir |
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