Merlin Express
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Airline |
| Predecessor | Merlin Express |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Founder | Fairchild Aircraft (as Sat-Air) |
| Fate | Renamed Merlin Airways after acquisition by Corporate Air in 2000 |
| Headquarters | Aguadilla , Puerto Rico |
Area served | United States, Caribbean, South America, Alaska, Mexico |
| Products | Cargo and passenger air services |
| Parent | Corporate Air |
Merlin Express operated as a Part 135/121 airline providing cargo and passenger services throughout the United States, Caribbean, South America, Alaska, and Mexico. Established in 1983 under the name Sat-Air, a subsidiary of Fairchild Aircraft, its initial operations involved managing 14 Merlin IV-C cargo aircraft acquired by UPS, delivering crew and maintenance support under contract. Additionally, the airline obtained maintenance agreements with the U.S. Air Force for servicing C-26 aircraft. The company’s early focus was on UPS feeder routes, utilizing planes painted in UPS colors.
Throughout its development, Merlin Express grew its fleet by purchasing more aircraft from Fairchild as well as from the secondary market, while securing freight contracts with major carriers such as Federal Express, DHL, and Airborne Express. By 1998, the fleet comprised approximately 30 aircraft including Metro III, Merlin IV-C, and Metro II models. In 1996, Merlin earned Part 121 certification to operate passenger flights and ran services in Alaska on behalf of Yute Air. After Fairchild Aircraft acquired Dornier Aircraft in 1997, Merlin planned to incorporate Dornier D-328 planes into its lineup.
Financial challenges faced by Fairchild Dornier Aerospace led to the sale of Merlin Express and other subsidiaries to generate funds. In 2000, Corporate Air based in Billings, Montana took ownership of Merlin Express and renamed it "Merlin Airways." Fairchild Dornier Aerospace subsequently filed for bankruptcy in 2002. Under new management, Merlin narrowed its route structure to concentrate on hubs located in Miami and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Presently headquartered at Rafael Hernández International Airport in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, the airline continues to operate flights to select Caribbean locations including the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Dominican Republic.
Fleet
The aircraft operated by Merlin Express consisted of:
- 2 Swearingen SA226-AT Merlin IVA Metroliners
- 4 Embraer EMB 120RT Brasilias
- 3 Beechcraft 1900Cs
- 4 Cessna 208 Caravans
Destinations
Primary destinations included Santiago (Dominican Republic), Providenciales, Aruba, and Port of Spain.