Janet (airline)
| Company type | Covert government airline |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aviation |
| Founded | 1972 |
| Founder | United States Department of the Air Force |
| Headquarters | Las Vegas , United States |
Area served | Nevada Test and Training Range, including Area 51 and Tonopah Test Range |
| Products | Personnel air transportation to Special Access Program Facilities |
| Owner | United States Department of the Air Force |
| Parent | United States Department of the Air Force |
Janet and Janet Airlines refer to a covert fleet operated by the United States Department of the Air Force, serving as a shuttle for personnel including military members, Department of Defense civilians, and contractors traveling to Special Access Program Facilities (SAPF). This airline mainly supports operations at the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR), encompassing locations such as Area 51 and the Tonopah Test Range. Flights depart from a private terminal situated at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.
The aircraft feature no official markings except for a distinctive red stripe running along the windows.
History
The origin of the "Janet" callsign is believed to be an acronym for either "Just Another Non-Existent Terminal" or "Joint Air Network for Employee Transportation."
Operations commenced in 1972 using Douglas DC-6 aircraft managed by EG&G, initially providing service between Las Vegas and Area 51. A second DC-6 was introduced in 1976, with this model remaining in service until 1981. During the 1970s, Boeing 737-200 jets were incorporated into the fleet, later augmented by modified Boeing T-43 aircraft from the Air Force adapted for passenger transport.
As of November 2023, the U.S. Air Force is actively seeking a new civilian contractor to manage Janet’s fleet, with operational demands reaching up to 190 flights per week.
Operations
Due to its classified status, detailed information about Janet Airlines' structure is scarce. Currently, defense contractor Amentum operates the airline on behalf of the USAF, following its acquisition of defense-related assets from AECOM. Prior management was handled by EG&G and subsequently by URS Corporation, as evidenced by occasional job advertisements from URS and AECOM. For instance, in 2010, URS recruited Boeing 737 flight attendants based in Las Vegas who were required to obtain a Single Scope Background Investigation clearance.
Passengers board Janet flights at a dedicated terminal located on the west side of Harry Reid International Airport. Flight numbers are assigned with a three-digit format preceded by a WWW prefix. The airline’s ICAO designator is deliberately blocked to maintain confidentiality. While "Janet" serves as the primary callsign, once flights come under control of Groom Lake, they switch to alternate "Groom Callsigns," which typically involve changes to both the name and flight number.
Destination codes
Janet Airlines utilizes unique destination identifiers to maintain operational confidentiality. The code TKM (or KTKM in international contexts) is not an official ICAO airport designation but is believed to represent Area 51, referenced in FAA records as linked with "Tonopah Test Range Base Ops." The known destination codes are as follows:
| Airport | Code |
|---|---|
| U.S. Air Force Production Flight Test Installation (Plant 42) | Station 1 |
| Area 51 | Station 3 |
| Basecamp | Station 6 |
| Tonopah Test Range | Station 7 |
| Janet Terminal (Harry Reid International Airport) | Station 9 |
Destinations
The primary focus of Janet Airlines is serving military sites, including significant locations such as Palmdale Regional Airport in California, Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Edwards Air Force Base, Groom Lake (Area 51), Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, and Tonopah Test Range in Nevada. These destinations align with the airline’s critical function of transporting personnel to secure government and military installations. Additionally, Janet has submitted flight plans to other airports, demonstrating a capacity for operational flexibility.
Fleet
As of 2015, Janet's aircraft inventory consists of six Boeing 737-600 models, all registered under the United States Department of the Air Force (DAF). These planes were originally acquired from Air China and formerly operated by China Southwest Airlines before their integration into U.S. Air Force service starting in 2008. The fleet is characterized by a distinctive white paint scheme accented with a red cheatline, indicative of its specialized mission. Before transitioning to the 737-600 series, Janet operated Boeing 737-200s that were conversions from military T-43A aircraft; these were phased out by 2009 and subsequently stored at Davis–Monthan Air Force Base.
The current fleet also includes multiple Beechcraft B200C and B300C aircraft, enhancing operational diversity. It should be noted that a Beechcraft 1900C was lost in a fatal accident in 2004 caused by pilot incapacitation.
| Type | Serial number | Tail number | C/N | Owner | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737-66N | 28649 | N319BD | 887 | United States Department of the Air Force | |
| Boeing 737-66N | 28650 | N869HH | 932 | United States Department of the Air Force | |
| Boeing 737-66N | 28652 | N859WP | 938 | United States Department of the Air Force | |
| Boeing 737-66N | 29890 | N273RH | 1276 | United States Department of the Air Force | |
| Boeing 737-66N | 29891 | N365SR | 1294 | United States Department of the Air Force | |
| Boeing 737-66N | 29892 | N288DP | 1305 | United States Department of the Air Force | |
| Beechcraft B200C | BL-54 | N654BA | — | United States Department of the Air Force | |
| Beechcraft B200C | BL-61 | N661BA | — | United States Department of the Air Force | |
| Beechcraft B200C | BL-62 | N662BA | — | United States Department of the Air Force | |
| Beechcraft B300C | FL-93 | N989RR | — | United States Department of the Air Force | |
| Beechcraft B300C | FL-95 | N910CB | — | United States Department of the Air Force |
| Type | Serial number | Tail number | C/N | Owner | Fate | Retired |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beechcraft 1900C | UB-37 | N27RA | — | United States Department of the Air Force | Crash (fatal) | 16 March 2004 |
| Boeing 737-275 | 20785 | N4529W | 335 | United States Department of the Air Force | Retired | 7 November 2008 |
| Boeing 737-253 (multiple) | Various | Various | Various | United States Department of the Air Force | Retired between 2009 | |
| Douglas DC-6B | 45219 | N6583C | — | EG&G | Retired | October 1981 |
Accidents
| Aircraft | Crash site | Damage | Origin | Destination | Description | Time | Fatalities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beech 1900C N27RA |
7 miles (11 km) southeast of Tonopah Test Range Airport | W/O | — | Tonopah Test Range Airport | While on final approach, the pilot confirmed visual contact with the runway but suffered a sudden cardiac arrest, resulting in loss of control. The aircraft plunged and crashed, igniting upon impact. The pilot was known to have untreated hypertension. | 16 March 2004, 04:01 | All 5 occupants |