Cochise Airlines
| Company type | Regional airline (defunct) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Airline |
| Founded | 1971 in Tucson, Arizona, United States |
| Defunct | 1982 |
| Headquarters | Tucson , United States |
Area served | Arizona, southern California, New Mexico |
| Products | Passenger air transport |
Cochise Airlines was a regional carrier established in 1971 in Tucson, Arizona and remained operational until approximately 1982. The airline primarily linked smaller Arizona communities with the cities of Phoenix, Arizona and Tucson, while occasionally extending service to southern California and New Mexico.
History
By February 1976, Cochise's fleet included de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter turboprop aircraft as well as Cessna 402 planes. By 1979, the airline had incorporated Swearingen Metroliner (Metro II) turboprops into its operations, servicing routes such as Tucson (TUS) to Phoenix (PHX), then continuing to Yuma (YUM), Imperial, CA (IPL), and Los Angeles (LAX). Another route connected Phoenix (PHX) with Flagstaff (FLG), Winslow (INW), and Gallup (GUP).
In 1976, Cochise’s network within Arizona included Flagstaff, Grand Canyon National Park Airport, Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Page, Prescott, and Winslow, alongside key hubs like Phoenix, Tucson, Imperial, and Yuma.
By 1981, the airline introduced the Convair 440 propliner—the largest aircraft type in its fleet—operating nonstop flights between Tucson and San Diego as well as the Tucson-Phoenix-Yuma-El Centro-Los Angeles corridor. This was complemented by continued Metro II services. Additionally, Cochise flew routes connecting Phoenix with Blythe and Los Angeles and maintained a broad presence across Arizona and southern California.
The airline used the two-letter designator "DP".
Destinations in 1974
As of April 15, 1974, Cochise Airlines offered service to:
- Douglas, Arizona
- Flagstaff, Arizona
- Fort Huachuca/Sierra Vista, Arizona
- Grand Canyon National Park Airport, Arizona
- Kingman, Arizona
- Lake Havasu City, Arizona
- Phoenix, Arizona – Hub
- Prescott, Arizona
- Tucson, Arizona – Home base and focus city
- Yuma, Arizona
Destinations in 1979
According to the November 15, 1979 route map, Cochise Airlines served:
- Blythe, California
- Flagstaff, Arizona
- Fort Huachuca/Sierra Vista, Arizona
- Gallup, New Mexico
- Grand Canyon National Park Airport, Arizona
- Imperial, California (via Imperial County Airport)
- Kingman, Arizona
- Los Angeles, California (LAX)
- Phoenix, Arizona – Hub
- Prescott, Arizona
- Tucson, Arizona – Home base
- Winslow, Arizona
- Yuma, Arizona
In the early 1980s, the airline also operated flights to San Diego, California. Operations ceased on June 2, 1982.
Fleet
Piston-powered aircraft:
- Cessna 402
- Convair 440 – largest aircraft type in service
Turboprop aircraft:
- de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter
- Swearingen Metroliner (Metro II variant)