New England Airlines
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Airline |
| Founded | 1970 |
| Headquarters | Westerly , United States |
Area served | Northeastern United States |
| Products | Scheduled flights, charter services, cargo transport |
| Owner | Private ownership |
Number of employees | Approximately 6 pilots (winter), more than 12 pilots (summer) |
| Website | newenglandairlines |
New England Airlines is a regional airline based in Westerly, Rhode Island, operating primarily out of Westerly State Airport. The airline provides scheduled flights to Block Island and offers charter services along the Northeastern coastline.
History
Established in 1970, New England Airlines has remained under consistent private ownership since its inception. It stands as the sole scheduled carrier headquartered in Rhode Island, created to fill the gap left when Viking Airways ended operations in the 1960s. The airline is well-known for its cargo transport, notably delivering expedited restaurant orders from the mainland to Block Island within a 90-minute timeframe.
The company’s fleet totals 10 aircraft, featuring multiple BN-2 Islanders utilized for both scheduled and charter flights as well as pilot instruction. Staffing fluctuates seasonally, with around six pilots employed during winter months and more than twelve during summer. Approximately 50% of its revenue is generated through charter services catering to corporate clientele in New York and other parts of the Northeast.
Additionally, New England Airlines markets commuter cards designed for frequent travelers to Block Island, priced at $1,435 for 20 one-way trips and $735 for 10 one-way trips.
Scheduled Flight Destinations
| City | Airport | IATA Code | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:Country data Rhode IslandTemplate:Namespace detect showall Rhode Island | ||||
| New Shoreham | Block Island State Airport | BID | Westerly | Sole route serviced. |
| Westerly | Westerly State Airport | WST | Block Island | Only route operated. |
Fleet
The fleet operated by New England Airlines consists of:[1]
| Aircraft Model | Quantity | Pending Orders | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander | 6 | 0 | Used on scheduled routes to Block Island State Airport and for charter flights throughout the Greater Northeast region. |
| PA-32-300 Cherokee Six | 3 | 0 | Employed for charter operations in the Greater Northeast area. |
| PA-28-180 Archer | 1 | 0 | Dedicated to charter flight services within the Greater Northeast. |
| Total | 10 | 0 |
Accidents
- On November 28, 1989, BN-2 Islander N127JL crashed into waters near Block Island, resulting in the deaths of all eight occupants, including pilot John Beck Jr. and prominent publisher/editor Shirley Wood. The flight experienced severe turbulence and wind shear; however, the exact cause remains unidentified.[2]
- On September 5, 1999, a Piper Cherokee PA-32-260 N4830S went down shortly after departing Westerly en route to Block Island. The accident claimed the lives of pilot Michael Hadik and two passengers; two others survived but sustained serious injuries. The NTSB concluded that loss of control and stalling during a turn led to the crash.[3]
External links
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- Articles with short description
- Regional airlines operating in the United States
- Members of the Regional Airline Association
- Rhode Island-based companies
- Transportation services in Washington County, Rhode Island
- Airlines founded in 1970
- Airlines headquartered in Rhode Island
- Establishments from 1970 in Rhode Island
- American enterprises founded in 1970
- American companies established in 1970
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