GP Express Airlines
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Airline |
| Founded | 1975 |
| Defunct | 1996 |
| Headquarters | Grand Island, Nebraska , United States |
| Parent | GP Air |
GP Express Airlines operated as a scheduled commuter airline with its headquarters located in Grand Island, Nebraska. The parent organization initiated on-demand air charter services in December 1975. In December 1985, the Department of Transportation granted approval for GP AIR’s proposal to deliver Essential Air Service (EAS) within the Midwest region, prompting the establishment of the subsidiary GP Express to manage operations under 14 CFR Part 135 regulations.
By 1992, GP Express had broadened its EAS network to encompass routes throughout Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. Service in the southern United States commenced in June 1992. The fleet by 1993 consisted of several twin-engine Cessna 402 aircraft, eight turboprop Beechcraft Model 99 planes, and five Beechcraft 1900C turboprops that were added starting in 1990.
Commencing March 9, 1994, GP Express began operating as a Continental Connection affiliate at Continental Airlines’ Denver (DEN) hub, taking over from Britt Airways amid Continental’s hub restructuring efforts. By late 1994, Continental scaled back Denver-based flights to just four airports; meanwhile, GP Express continued full Continental Connection operations at Denver and maintained limited services at Kansas City and Omaha. Over the following two years, GP Express withdrew from Denver operations and transitioned to feeder routes supporting Continental Lite at hubs in Greensboro, NC and Tampa, FL during 1995 but ultimately declared bankruptcy and ceased all operations in 1996.
Destinations in 1992
During 1992, GP Express operated two distinct route networks independently: one covering the north central United States from Minneapolis/St. Paul extending to Kansas City and Denver, and another serving the southeastern U.S., with no interconnection between these systems.
North Central U.S. Destinations
- Alliance, NE
- Brookings, SD
- Chadron, NE
- Denver
- Des Moines
- Fairmont, MN
- Grand Island, NE - Headquarters
- Hastings, NE
- Huron, SD
- Kansas City
- Kearney, NE
- Lincoln, NE
- Mankato, MN
- McCook, NE
- Minneapolis/Saint Paul - Hub
- Mitchell, SD
- North Platte, NE
- Omaha
- Scottsbluff, NE
- Sidney, NE
- Worthington, MN
Southeastern U.S. Destinations
- Anniston, AL
- Atlanta - Hub
- Gadsden, AL
- Hattiesburg/Laurel, MS
- Hilton Head, SC
- Muscle Shoals, AL
- Tuscaloosa, AL
Continental Connection Operations from Denver in 1994
By October 1994, GP Express was conducting code-share flights under the Continental Connection brand for Continental Airlines, utilizing Beechcraft 1900C turboprop aircraft on nonstop or direct services originating from Denver (DEN) to various regional destinations such as Amarillo (TX), Casper (WY), Cheyenne (WY), Durango (CO), Grand Island (NE), Kearney (NE), Lincoln (NE), Omaha (NE), Rapid City (SD), and Telluride (CO).
At that point in time, Continental Airlines’ mainline jet service from Denver was limited to four nonstop routes—Chicago Midway (MDW), Cleveland (CLE), Houston (IAH), and Newark (EWR)—with three of these cities serving as Continental hubs.
Accidents
GP Express faced a disproportionately high number of fatal accidents in relation to the size of its aircraft fleet, which led to heightened scrutiny from the FAA.
- On December 23, 1987, a GP Express Cessna 402 crashed while on approach to Chadron, Nebraska, resulting in the deaths of both crew members and causing serious injuries to the only passenger on board.
- GP Express Flight 861 went down near Anniston, Alabama on June 9, 1992, shortly after the airline commenced its operations in the Southern Region.
- On April 28, 1993, a GP Express Beechcraft Model 99 was involved in a fatal crash near Shelton, Nebraska during a non-revenue check ride that included aerobatic maneuvers; both pilots lost their lives.