L'Express Airlines
| Company type | Division |
|---|---|
| Industry | Airline |
| Founded | April 1989 |
| Founder | Stephen Read |
| Defunct | February 28, 1992 |
| Fate | Ceased operations |
| Headquarters | Kenner, Louisiana , United States |
Area served | Louisiana, Gulf South region (including Texas, Alabama) |
Key people | Stephen Read (founder) |
| Parent | Read Industries, Inc. |
L'Express Airlines, Inc. operated as a regional carrier based in Kenner, Louisiana from 1989 until 1992. Concentrating on intrastate flights within Louisiana, its primary hub was located at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. The airline, a division of Read Industries, Inc., began its services on August 9, 1989.
History
Established by businessman Stephen Read in April 1989, L'Express sought to link key cities across Louisiana such as New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Monroe, Alexandria, Lafayette, and Lake Charles through a schedule of 45 weekly flights. Although initial plans aimed for a June 1989 launch, operations officially started in August. During its inaugural year, the airline achieved gross earnings between $7 million and $8 million.
By September 1990, L'Express broadened its reach into the Gulf South region outside Louisiana by incorporating destinations like Houston, Birmingham, and Mobile. Further expansion was projected for early 1991 to include Jackson, Little Rock, Pensacola, and Dallas/Fort Worth.
Confronted with escalating fuel expenses, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on January 9, 1991. Nevertheless, it continued functioning with a peak of approximately 80 daily flights by mid-1991. Persistent financial struggles led to The Beech Aircraft Corporation reclaiming its nine aircraft in February 1992 due to unpaid debts. Grounded on February 15, L'Express terminated all services by February 28, 1992.
Fleet
- Seven Beechcraft C-99 airplanes
- Three Beechcraft 1900 airplanes
Operating out of New Orleans, the fleet's livery incorporated the classic Mardi Gras colors—green, yellow, and purple—displayed as stripes against white fuselages.
Destinations
Initial service commenced in August 1989:[1]
- Louisiana
- Alexandria (AEX)
- Baton Rouge (BTR)
- Lafayette (LFT)
- Lake Charles (LCH)
- Monroe (MLU)
- New Orleans (MSY) – Main Hub
- Shreveport (SHV)
Expansion of routes in September 1990:[2]
- Texas
- Houston (HOU)
- Alabama
- Birmingham (BHM)
- Mobile (MOB)
Additional service introduced in 1991:
- Texas
- Longview (GGG)
Accident
On July 10, 1991, L'Express Flight 508—a Beechcraft C-99 registered N7217L—crashed during an ILS approach at Birmingham International Airport. The tragedy resulted in thirteen fatalities out of fifteen passengers onboard and caused injuries to four individuals on the ground while destroying two residences. Investigation attributed the crash to the pilot’s decision to proceed with an instrument approach amid severe thunderstorms that led to loss of control.[3]