Fort Worth Airlines
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Airline |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Founder | Thomas B. King |
| Defunct | 1985 |
| Fate | Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy; ceased operations |
| Headquarters | Fort Worth, Texas , United States |
Key people | Thomas B. King (Founder, former CEO), Sheldon Srulevitch (CEO) |
| Products | Air transport service |
Number of employees | 150 (1985) |
Fort Worth Airlines was a budget carrier headquartered at Meacham Field in Fort Worth, Texas. Established in 1984 by Thomas B. King, a former vice president of Braniff International, it became the first interstate airline federally certified and based at Meacham Field in more than three decades. The leadership team primarily comprised ex-Braniff executives, utilizing Braniff’s resources and design influences. The airline operated 56-seat turboprop NAMC YS-11 aircraft, which were leased from Mid-Pacific Air, emphasizing frequent flights that were not economically viable for larger jet aircraft.
Service commenced in December 1984, linking Fort Worth with Austin, San Antonio, and Houston Hobby Airport. By early 1985, Mid-Pacific Air had acquired a significant ownership stake, prompting the addition of Fort Worth to Houston Intercontinental Airport flights. Fort Worth Airlines also entered into an interline ticketing partnership with Continental Airlines, functioning as a Continental Commuter feeder on the Fort Worth-Houston corridor. Further route expansion included destinations such as Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Abilene by mid-1985.
Despite these initiatives, the airline faced financial difficulties caused by operating expenses that were 61% higher per seat compared to Southwest Airlines and inadequate ticket sales. Operations ceased on 22 September 1985 when the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Prior to closure, the board replaced King with Sheldon Srulevitch as CEO due to unsatisfactory financial results, which led to immediate layoffs affecting most of its workforce of approximately 150 employees.
Destinations
Fort Worth Airlines served several important cities including:
- Abilene, Texas: Abilene Regional Airport (ABI)
- Austin: Robert Mueller Municipal Airport (AUS)
- Fort Worth: Meacham Field (FTW) – headquarters and primary hub
- Houston:
- Oklahoma City: Will Rogers World Airport (OKC)
- San Antonio: San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
- Tulsa: Tulsa International Airport (TUL)
Fleet
- 4 × NAMC YS-11, leased from Mid Pacific Air, which also provided maintenance support
See also
References
- Articles with short description
- Defunct airlines of the United States
- Airlines established in 1984
- Airlines disestablished in 1985
- 1984 establishments in Texas
- 1985 disestablishments in Texas
- Airlines based in Texas
- American companies established in 1984
- American companies disestablished in 1985
- 5
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment