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| Founded | 1990 | |||
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| Fleet size | 10 | |||
| Destinations | 27 | |||
| Parent company | Aviation Capital Partner Group | |||
| Headquarters | Lakeland, Fl, Florida | |||
| Key people | Scott Holland (CEO) Frank Visconti (President), Chris Sharpe (EVP), Lanny Schott (DO), Steve Badger (Director of Safety), Bill Reynolds (Chief Pilot), Al Snyder (Director of Maintenance), Mike Kimble (Director of Quality Control) |
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| Website | flyskyking.net | |||
Sky King, Inc. began operations in July 1990 as a privately held company founded by Gregg Lukenbill, who was then the managing partner of the NBA's Sacramento Kings. Initially, the company provided service for the Kansas City Kings in a single BAC One-Eleven under FAR-125. In 2002, Sky King received its FAR-121 certificate and 98% of the company’s flying was for hockey teams. A series of events in 2005, including the NHL lockout, the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and the spike in jet fuel prices required Sky King to find an alternate way of running its business. This resulted in the adoption of the ACMI (Aircraft Crew Maintenance and Insurance) model and a partnership with Gold Transportation was forged. Today, Sky King is a leading passenger charter airline company providing dedicated ACMI services both domestically and internationally. In 2009, Sky King provided a single Boeing 767-200ER for Scanderbeg Air for flights from Albania to New York. The 767 is not in service at this time. In March 2010, Sky King filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Following a successful reorganization in June 2010, the airline moved its headquarters from Sacramento, California to Lakeland, Florida. By moving to Lakeland, Sky King was able to reduce its maintenance costs (by eliminating cross-country ferry flights) and focus on expanding the east coast markets it now serves. In October, 2010, Sky King was purchased by Aviation Capital Partners Group and has now shifted its focus away from private charters and towards providing scheduled services. Today Sky King has over 270 employees.
From March 2007 until May 2007, Sky King operated a single airplane for Direct Air. In early 2011, Sky King teamed up again with Direct Air and now flies two airplanes for the company. Depending on the season, the flying switches from Palm Beach International Airport (during summer), Myrtle Beach (during winter), Punta Gorda (during fall) and Lakeland (year round).
Sky King provides charter aircraft to numerous touring agencies with flights into Cuba. Currently, flights to Cuba originate from Miami, Tampa, Chicago and New York. The majority of the flights into Cuba are to Cienfuegos, Havana, Camaguey, Holguin, and Santiago de Cuba.
Through contract with Gold Transportation Services, Sky King provides transportation to Atlantic City from multiple destinations.
In early spring 2011, Sky King agreed to provide ACMI service to a start-up company in Guam, known as Fly Guam. Initially, the company operated flights out of Guam to Saipan, continuing on to Hong Kong. In the coming months, the company opened routes to Nagoya, Japan and Koror, Palau. In November 2011, Sky King’s parent company Aviation Capital Partners Group purchased a 51% stake. Sky King presently flies a single Boeing 737-400 for Fly Guam.
Sky King’s current fleet consists of 10 Boeing 737 aircraft.
| Aircraft | In Service | Stationed |
|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737-200 | 3 | 2 Flying for Gold Transportation in ACY, 1 in MIA doing Cuba Flights |
| Boeing 737-300 | 1 | 1 In MIA doing Cuba Charter Flights |
| Boeing 737-400 | 6 | 1 in LAL Direct Air Flying, 1 in PBI Direct Air Flying, 1 in GUM Fly Guam Flying, 3 in MIA doing Cuba Charter Flights |
The Company has plans to expand its current 737 fleet by adding more 737-300/400/500.