Chautauqua Airlines
Encyclopedia
Chautauqua Airlines, Inc. is a regional airline
and a subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings
based in Indianapolis
, Indiana
, United States
. Based on 2009 published flight schedules, it operates scheduled passenger services on more than 700 flights daily to 98 airports in 31 states, Washington, D.C. and Canada
through feeder services under the names AmericanConnection
for American Airlines
, Continental Express
for Continental Airlines
, Delta Connection
for Delta Air Lines
, Frontier Express for Frontier Airlines
, US Airways Express
for US Airways
, and operated as United Express
for United Airlines
until January 2009, when the E145 agreement with United expired.
Chautauqua has a crew base at its headquarters in Indianapolis (Indianapolis International Airport
), and also has crew bases at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport
, LaGuardia Airport
, General Mitchell International Airport
, Gerald R. Ford International Airport
, Louisville International Airport
, O'Hare International Airport
and Port Columbus International Airport
.
The airline was established on May 3, 1973 in Jamestown
, Chautauqua County
, New York
, USA
and started operations on August 1, 1974. Chautauqua is historically significant for it is one of the last remaining companies still in business that once flew as a part of the Allegheny Commuter. Allegheny Commuter was one of the first regional franchisee systems combining independent regional and commuter airlines under one seemingly contiguous and seamless brand.
Chautauqua Airlines had a rough year in 1994, posting its first loss in 20 years. The loss can be contributed to the crash of an American Eagle commuter plane flying from Chicago to Indianapolis. Media coverage of the crash spread quickly, and because of its association, Chautauqua Airlines lost passengers who had come to distrust commuter planes. However, Chautauqua Airlines bounced back, while renewing its code-share agreement with USAir in the same year on May 8, 1994. To better support its growing operations, the corporate headquarters of Chautauqua Airlines was relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana.
Chautauqua was acquired by Wexford Management in January 1998. Republic Airways Holdings
completed its initial public offering in May 2004. Chautauqua Airlines is wholly owned by Republic Airways Holdings, which employs approximately 5,000 aviation professionals as of April 2008.
It operates a fleet of approximately 90 Embraer regional jets (ERJ), including 60 ERJ-145s, 15 ERJ-140s and 14 ERJ-135s. These aircraft are deployed under the "express" banners of four major airlines; American, Continental, Delta and U.S. Airways. Chautauqua took delivery of 24 Canadair CRJ's in the first half of 2007 and flies them under its new code-share agreement with Continental. Some of these aircraft were previously owned by Atlantic Coast Airlines
(Independence Air
), and some were owned by Comair
. Chautauqua was one of the first U.S. operators of the Embraer 170 regional jet, but was forced to transfer these aircraft to sister company Shuttle America
in 2005 after the pilots' union at American Airlines
claimed the aircraft violated a "scope clause
" regulating the size of regional aircraft operated under American brands.
In early 2006 Chautauqua opened its new aircraft maintenance complex, capable of holding nine planes, at Louisville International Airport
in Louisville, KY. Maintenance is performed in Indianapolis, Columbus, Louisville, & St Louis. Their ERJ-135/140/145 heavy 'C-check' maintenance is performed in Columbus Ohio.
Chautauqua Airlines does not fly its aircraft in their own aircraft livery
color scheme, but colors and branding of the airlines they serve. They do, however, have five "blue tail" aircraft which they operate for independent charters and when other aircraft are in maintenance. Chautauqua airlines operates an all-jet fleet of Embraer
aircraft. It has since sold off all of its Bombardier
RJ products.
The FAA alleged that:
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
and a subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings
Republic Airways Holdings
Republic Airways Holdings, Inc. is an aviation holding corporation based in Indianapolis, Indiana, which owns six airlines operating in the United States: Chautauqua Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Republic Airlines, Shuttle America, and the former Lynx Aviation....
based in Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Based on 2009 published flight schedules, it operates scheduled passenger services on more than 700 flights daily to 98 airports in 31 states, Washington, D.C. and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
through feeder services under the names AmericanConnection
AmericanConnection
AmericanConnection is a brand name used by Chautauqua Airlines in the operation of passenger air service as a regional affiliate of American Airlines at its Chicago hub...
for American Airlines
American Airlines
American Airlines, Inc. is the world's fourth-largest airline in passenger miles transported and operating revenues. American Airlines is a subsidiary of the AMR Corporation and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas adjacent to its largest hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport...
, Continental Express
Continental Express
Continental Express is the operating brand name used by a number of independently owned regional airlines providing regional jet feeder service under agreement with Continental Airlines...
for Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines was a major American airline now merged with United Airlines. On May 3, 2010, Continental Airlines, Inc. and UAL, Inc. announced a merger via a stock swap, and on October 1, 2010, the merger closed and UAL changed its name to United Continental Holdings, Inc...
, Delta Connection
Delta Connection
Delta Connection is the name under which a number of individually owned regional airlines and one wholly owned regional carrier operate short and medium haul routes in association with Delta Air Lines Inc...
for Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines, Inc. is a major airline based in the United States and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The airline operates an extensive domestic and international network serving all continents except Antarctica. Delta and its subsidiaries operate over 4,000 flights every day...
, Frontier Express for Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines, Inc., is an American airline headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The carrier, which is a subsidiary and operating brand of Republic Airways Holdings, operates flights to 83 destinations throughout the United States, Mexico, and Costa Rica and maintains hubs at...
, US Airways Express
US Airways Express
US Airways Express is an airline brand name, rather than a fully certified airline, and as such, the US Airways Express name is used by several individually owned airlines or airline holding companies which provide regional airline and commuter service for US Airways.Operations are conducted from...
for US Airways
US Airways
US Airways, Inc. is a major airline based in the U.S. city of Tempe, Arizona. The airline is an operating unit of US Airways Group and is the sixth largest airline by traffic and eighth largest by market value in the country....
, and operated as United Express
United Express
United Express is a brand name under which eight regional airlines operate feeder flights for United Airlines. They primarily connect smaller cities with United's domestic hub airports and “focus cities,” although they offer some point-to-point service such as Sacramento to Eureka.As of Sept...
for United Airlines
United Airlines
United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees (which includes the entire holding company United Continental...
until January 2009, when the E145 agreement with United expired.
Chautauqua has a crew base at its headquarters in Indianapolis (Indianapolis International Airport
Indianapolis International Airport
Indianapolis International Airport is a public airport located seven miles southwest of the central business district of Indianapolis, a city in Marion County, Indiana, United States. It is owned and operated by the Indianapolis Airport Authority...
), and also has crew bases at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is a public airport located nine miles southwest of the central business district of Cleveland, a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States. The airport lies just within the city limits of Cleveland...
, LaGuardia Airport
LaGuardia Airport
LaGuardia Airport is an airport located in the northern part of Queens County on Long Island in the City of New York. The airport is located on the waterfront of Flushing Bay and Bowery Bay, and borders the neighborhoods of Astoria, Jackson Heights and East Elmhurst. The airport was originally...
, General Mitchell International Airport
General Mitchell International Airport
General Mitchell International Airport is a county-owned public airport located five miles south of the central business district of Milwaukee, a city in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States....
, Gerald R. Ford International Airport
Gerald R. Ford International Airport
Gerald R. Ford International Airport is a commercial airport located approximately southeast of Grand Rapids, Michigan in Cascade Township. Originally called Kent County Airport and later Kent County International Airport; in December 1999 the airport was renamed for former resident Gerald R....
, Louisville International Airport
Louisville International Airport
Louisville International Airport is a joint civil-military public airport centrally located in the city of Louisville in Jefferson County, Kentucky, USA. The airport covers 1,200 acres and has three runways. Its IATA airport code SDF is based on the airport's former name, Standiford Field...
, O'Hare International Airport
O'Hare International Airport
Chicago O'Hare International Airport , also known as O'Hare Airport, O'Hare Field, Chicago Airport, Chicago International Airport, or simply O'Hare, is a major airport located in the northwestern-most corner of Chicago, Illinois, United States, northwest of the Chicago Loop...
and Port Columbus International Airport
Port Columbus International Airport
Port Columbus International Airport , commonly shortened to Port Columbus, is a Class C international airport located east of downtown Columbus, Ohio, USA. It is managed by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, which also oversees operations at Rickenbacker International Airport and Bolton Field...
.
History
- Republic Airways Holdings traces it roots to Chautauqua. See also: History of Republic Airways Holdings
The airline was established on May 3, 1973 in Jamestown
Jamestown, New York
Jamestown is a city in Chautauqua County, New York in the United States. The population was 31,146 at the 2010 census.The City of Jamestown is adjacent to Town of Ellicott and is at the southern tip of Chautauqua Lake...
, Chautauqua County
Chautauqua County, New York
-Major highways:* Interstate 86/New York State Route 17 * Interstate 90 * U.S. Route 20* U.S. Route 62* New York State Route 5* New York State Route 39* New York State Route 60* New York State Route 394...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and started operations on August 1, 1974. Chautauqua is historically significant for it is one of the last remaining companies still in business that once flew as a part of the Allegheny Commuter. Allegheny Commuter was one of the first regional franchisee systems combining independent regional and commuter airlines under one seemingly contiguous and seamless brand.
Chautauqua Airlines had a rough year in 1994, posting its first loss in 20 years. The loss can be contributed to the crash of an American Eagle commuter plane flying from Chicago to Indianapolis. Media coverage of the crash spread quickly, and because of its association, Chautauqua Airlines lost passengers who had come to distrust commuter planes. However, Chautauqua Airlines bounced back, while renewing its code-share agreement with USAir in the same year on May 8, 1994. To better support its growing operations, the corporate headquarters of Chautauqua Airlines was relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana.
Chautauqua was acquired by Wexford Management in January 1998. Republic Airways Holdings
Republic Airways Holdings
Republic Airways Holdings, Inc. is an aviation holding corporation based in Indianapolis, Indiana, which owns six airlines operating in the United States: Chautauqua Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Republic Airlines, Shuttle America, and the former Lynx Aviation....
completed its initial public offering in May 2004. Chautauqua Airlines is wholly owned by Republic Airways Holdings, which employs approximately 5,000 aviation professionals as of April 2008.
It operates a fleet of approximately 90 Embraer regional jets (ERJ), including 60 ERJ-145s, 15 ERJ-140s and 14 ERJ-135s. These aircraft are deployed under the "express" banners of four major airlines; American, Continental, Delta and U.S. Airways. Chautauqua took delivery of 24 Canadair CRJ's in the first half of 2007 and flies them under its new code-share agreement with Continental. Some of these aircraft were previously owned by Atlantic Coast Airlines
Atlantic Coast Airlines
Atlantic Coast Airlines was an airline based in the United States owned by Atlantic Coast Holdings, Inc.. It operated as United Express for United Airlines and Delta Connection for Delta Air Lines. It was headquartered in the Dulles area of unincorporated Loudoun County, Virginia, United States....
(Independence Air
Independence Air
Independence Air was a low-cost airline, owned by FLYi, Inc., headquartered in the Loudoun Gateway Corporate Center in Dulles, unincorporated Loudoun County, Virginia, United States that operated from 1989 until 2006. Its route network focused on the East Coast of the United States, but it also...
), and some were owned by Comair
Comair
Comair is a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines headquartered on the grounds of Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport in unincorporated Boone County, Kentucky, United States, west of Erlanger, and south of Cincinnati, Ohio...
. Chautauqua was one of the first U.S. operators of the Embraer 170 regional jet, but was forced to transfer these aircraft to sister company Shuttle America
Shuttle America
Shuttle America Corporation is a regional airline based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. It feeds United Airlines flights at Chicago, Denver, and Washington as United Express, and feeds Delta Air Lines flights at Atlanta and New York as Delta Connection and Delta Shuttle.-History:Shuttle America...
in 2005 after the pilots' union at American Airlines
American Airlines
American Airlines, Inc. is the world's fourth-largest airline in passenger miles transported and operating revenues. American Airlines is a subsidiary of the AMR Corporation and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas adjacent to its largest hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport...
claimed the aircraft violated a "scope clause
Scope clause
A scope clause is part of a contract between an airline and a pilot union. Generally, these clauses are used by the union of a Major airline to limit the number and/or size of aircraft that airline may contract out to a Regional airline...
" regulating the size of regional aircraft operated under American brands.
In early 2006 Chautauqua opened its new aircraft maintenance complex, capable of holding nine planes, at Louisville International Airport
Louisville International Airport
Louisville International Airport is a joint civil-military public airport centrally located in the city of Louisville in Jefferson County, Kentucky, USA. The airport covers 1,200 acres and has three runways. Its IATA airport code SDF is based on the airport's former name, Standiford Field...
in Louisville, KY. Maintenance is performed in Indianapolis, Columbus, Louisville, & St Louis. Their ERJ-135/140/145 heavy 'C-check' maintenance is performed in Columbus Ohio.
Chautauqua Airlines does not fly its aircraft in their own aircraft livery
Aircraft livery
Aircraft livery is a paint scheme applied to an aircraft, generally to fuselage, wings, empennage , or jet engines. Most airlines have a standard paint scheme for their aircraft fleet, usually prominently displaying the airline logo or name. From time to time special liveries are introduced, for...
color scheme, but colors and branding of the airlines they serve. They do, however, have five "blue tail" aircraft which they operate for independent charters and when other aircraft are in maintenance. Chautauqua airlines operates an all-jet fleet of Embraer
Embraer
Embraer S.A. is a Brazilian aerospace conglomerate that produces commercial, military, and executive aircraft and provides aeronautical services....
aircraft. It has since sold off all of its Bombardier
Bombardier Aerospace
Bombardier Aerospace is a division of Bombardier Inc. and is the third-largest airplane manufacturer in the world. It is headquartered in Dorval, Quebec, Canada.- History :...
RJ products.
Awards
- January 26, 2004 – Regional Airline of the Year by Air Transport World
- April 28, 2004 – Regional Airline of the Year by Regional Airline World
- April 28, 2004 – President & CEO Bryan Bedford named Airline Executive of the Year by Regional Airline World
- February 4, 2006 – Aviation Excellence Award from Flight International
- January 25, 2008 – Regional Airline of the Year by Air Transport World
Maintenance violation accusations
In April 2010, the Federal Aviation Administration proposed a $348,000 fine against Chautauqua Airlines for allegedly not performing required inspections for three years.The FAA alleged that:
- Chautauqua flew a Canadair Regional Jet more than 17,600 flights from November 2007 through January 2009 before the planes' engines were inspected.
- The airline flew eight Canadair Regional Jets more than 9,900 flights from October 2007 through December 2008 before lower wing inspections were done.
- Chautauqua operated another Canadair Regional Jet on 231 flights in January 2009 without inspecting a section of a lower wing for cracks. During the same month, another Canadair Regional Jet flew for 61 hours without a required inspection of electrical relays.
- The airline flew an Embraer 145 jet for 43 days past the time one of its inertial navigation units should have been replaced.
Fleet
The Chautauqua Airlines fleet includes the following aircraft (as of May 16, 2010):- 6 Embraer ERJ 135LR (operated as Frontier AirlinesFrontier AirlinesFrontier Airlines, Inc., is an American airline headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The carrier, which is a subsidiary and operating brand of Republic Airways Holdings, operates flights to 83 destinations throughout the United States, Mexico, and Costa Rica and maintains hubs at...
) - 15 Embraer ERJ 140LR (14 operated as American Connection)
- 57 Embraer ERJ 145LR (7 stored)
- 24 operated as Delta ConnectionDelta ConnectionDelta Connection is the name under which a number of individually owned regional airlines and one wholly owned regional carrier operate short and medium haul routes in association with Delta Air Lines Inc...
- 13 operated as Continental ExpressContinental ExpressContinental Express is the operating brand name used by a number of independently owned regional airlines providing regional jet feeder service under agreement with Continental Airlines...
- 7 operated as US Airways ExpressUS Airways ExpressUS Airways Express is an airline brand name, rather than a fully certified airline, and as such, the US Airways Express name is used by several individually owned airlines or airline holding companies which provide regional airline and commuter service for US Airways.Operations are conducted from...
- 24 operated as Delta Connection