Denver Ports of Call
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Airline, Travel club |
| Founded | 1966 in Denver, Colorado, United States |
| Defunct | 1992 |
| Fate | Transitioned into Skyworld Airlines; ceased flight operations and sold aircraft assets |
| Headquarters | Denver , United States |
Area served | United States, international excursions |
| Products | Air travel club flights, domestic and international excursions |
Denver Ports of Call was a private American airline that operated flights exclusively for the Denver-based Ports of Call Travel Club from 1967 until 1992. At its height, it stood as the largest air travel club in the United States, boasting a membership exceeding 66,000 individuals, and eventually transitioned into Skyworld Airlines.
Air travel clubs originated as a means to circumvent the stringent regulations enforced by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), which governed routes and fare structures prior to deregulation in 1979. Despite initially operating outside regulatory oversight, several prominent clubs encountered enforcement actions by the CAB during the early 1970s.
History
Established in 1966 in Denver, Colorado, Ports of Call operated out of a private terminal at Stapleton International Airport. The airline specialized in both domestic and international excursions using aircraft modified for club use, initially employing piston and turboprop planes such as the Douglas DC-7 and Lockheed L-188 Electra. Early flight crews consisted of commercial airline pilots flying during off-duty hours before transitioning to dedicated full-time staff; flight attendants frequently doubled as tour guides on longer journeys.
Over time, the fleet was upgraded with pre-owned jet aircraft including Convair 990s (introduced in 1975), Boeing 707s, and a Boeing 727. By 1986, the company maintained a fleet comprising eleven Boeing 707-300s, one Boeing 707-100, and one Boeing 727-100 to support its large member base. Signature offerings included worldwide circumnavigation tours and an annual "Mystery Trip," which regularly filled multiple Boeing 707 aircraft with nearly 800 travelers.
In response to federally mandated noise regulations, Ports of Call went public to raise capital for installing hush kits on its jets. To improve aircraft utilization rates, it rebranded as Skyworld Airlines under FAR Part 121 certification and expanded operations into charter services beyond its club members. However, following several changes in leadership and a hostile acquisition, new proprietors sold off the airline’s aircraft assets and terminated flight operations, continuing only as a travel club without an owned fleet. One Boeing 707 combi was sold for over $4 million.
With no proprietary aircraft remaining, the club began reserving blocks of seats on commercial airlines for its members. This shift away from exclusive aircraft and direct flight routes reduced the club’s attractiveness, resulting in a sharp decline in membership renewals and eventual closure in 1994.
Fleet
As of December 31, 1975, Ports of Call operated the largest fleet among air travel clubs, consisting of:
According to JP Airline-Fleets International 89 (1989), the fleet included:
Additional aircraft types operated were: