Swift Air
Encyclopedia
Swift Air is an American
airline
based in Phoenix
, Arizona
, USA
. It operates a fleet of business and commercial jets available for charter and private use. Its main base is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
.
Not to be confused with Swift Air Malawi
aircraft. In November 2006 the airline received authorization for Part 121 operations and began flying three Boeing 737-400s. These aircraft are each configured with all first class interiors, electrical outlets, and club work areas with tables. Primary use of these aircraft is air transportation for major professional sports team (NBA, NHL, MLB) and for VIP charters.
John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign utilized one of Swift Air's Boeing 737-400's, which was dubbed the "Straight Talk Express," the same name given to his bus used earlier in the campaign.
In October 2009, Swift Aviation was reported to be under investigation by the FAA and OSHA
for safety and maintenance issues. Employees claimed they were told to lie to NTSB investigators over an incident of a nose-gear collapsing in 2008. OSHA had asked Swift Aviation to take care of a ground equipment issue involving a broken truck latch, which they did. The investigation was re-opened a week later with OSHA declining to comment as to why. The FAA declined to comment while the investigation was under way. Swift Aviation's Vice President denied that employees were directed to lie to investigators.
On June 17, 2011, Swift Air voluntarily suspended their Part 121 operations pending an inquiry by the FAA.
Swift Air resumed normal part 121 operations on June 25th 2011 after making manual changes to satisfy the FAA.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
airline
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...
based in Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It operates a fleet of business and commercial jets available for charter and private use. Its main base is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a joint civil-military public airport located southeast of the central business district of the city of Phoenix, in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States...
.
Not to be confused with Swift Air Malawi
Services
Swift Air is well known for operating charter flights for major professional sports teams and major tour operators. It also provides aircraft menagement services for private owners. Among others in summer of 2011 Swift Air originally planned to operate public charter flights from Chicago, IL US to some European destinations such as Belgrade (Serbia), Zagreb (Croatia) and Krakow (Poland); however, these destinations were never launched.History
The airline was established in 1997 and was the launch customer for the Embraer ERJ 135 LegacyEmbraer ERJ 145 family
The Embraer ERJ 145 family is a series of regional jets produced by Embraer, a Brazilian aerospace company. Family members include the ERJ 135 , ERJ 140 , and ERJ 145 , as well as the Legacy business jet and the R-99 family of military aircraft. The ERJ 145 is the largest of the group...
aircraft. In November 2006 the airline received authorization for Part 121 operations and began flying three Boeing 737-400s. These aircraft are each configured with all first class interiors, electrical outlets, and club work areas with tables. Primary use of these aircraft is air transportation for major professional sports team (NBA, NHL, MLB) and for VIP charters.
John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign utilized one of Swift Air's Boeing 737-400's, which was dubbed the "Straight Talk Express," the same name given to his bus used earlier in the campaign.
In October 2009, Swift Aviation was reported to be under investigation by the FAA and OSHA
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Labor. It was created by Congress of the United States under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, signed by President Richard M. Nixon, on December 29, 1970...
for safety and maintenance issues. Employees claimed they were told to lie to NTSB investigators over an incident of a nose-gear collapsing in 2008. OSHA had asked Swift Aviation to take care of a ground equipment issue involving a broken truck latch, which they did. The investigation was re-opened a week later with OSHA declining to comment as to why. The FAA declined to comment while the investigation was under way. Swift Aviation's Vice President denied that employees were directed to lie to investigators.
On June 17, 2011, Swift Air voluntarily suspended their Part 121 operations pending an inquiry by the FAA.
Swift Air resumed normal part 121 operations on June 25th 2011 after making manual changes to satisfy the FAA.
Fleet
As of May 2010 the Swift Air fleet includes :- 1 Cessna Citation S/II
- 1 Cessna Citation XCessna CitationThe Cessna Citation is a marketing name used by Cessna for its line of business jets. Rather than one particular model of aircraft, the name applies to several "families" of turbofan-powered aircraft that have been produced over the years...
- 2 Embraer ERJ 135 LegacyEmbraer ERJ 145 familyThe Embraer ERJ 145 family is a series of regional jets produced by Embraer, a Brazilian aerospace company. Family members include the ERJ 135 , ERJ 140 , and ERJ 145 , as well as the Legacy business jet and the R-99 family of military aircraft. The ERJ 145 is the largest of the group...
- 3 Boeing 737-400 * added in late 2006
- 3 Boeing 767-200 * added in early 2010
- 1 Boeing 767-200ER