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WestAir Commuter Airlines

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WestAir Commuter Airlines
Company typeRegional airline
IndustryAviation
PredecessorStol Air Commuter
Founded1978
FounderMaurice J. Gallagher, Jr.
Defunct1998
FateAcquired by Mesa Air Group in 1992; ceased operations in 1998
Headquarters
Fresno, California
,
United States
Area served
Western United States
Key people
Maurice J. Gallagher, Jr.
ProductsRegional airline services (United Express)
ParentWestAir Holding, Inc.; later Mesa Air Group

WestAir Commuter Airlines (IATA: OE, ICAO: SDU) was an American regional airline established in 1978 following the rebranding of Stol Air Commuter to WestAir Airlines; it adopted the name WestAir Commuter Airlines in 1986. Co-founded by Maurice J. Gallagher, Jr., who later became owner of Allegiant Air, WestAir was among the pioneering regional carriers to enter the United Express system through a code-sharing agreement with United Airlines beginning May 1, 1985. The company was headquartered in Fresno, California, operated under WestAir Holding, Inc., and was acquired by Mesa Air Group in 1992.

History

Originally operating as Stol Air Commuter until 1979 with its base in San Rafael, CA and offices in Santa Rosa, CA, the airline flew Britten-Norman BN-2 Islanders and Trislanders. After its transition to WestAir in 1978, it absorbed Golden Eagle Airlines from Redding, California, which introduced Cessna 402Cs into its fleet.

The airline's fleet grew to include turboprop aircraft such as the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter (1982), Short 330 (1984), Short 360 and Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante (1985), followed by Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia (1987) and British Aerospace Jetstream 31s (1989). During the early 1980s, the IATA code shifted from VB to OE, and the airline operated with the call sign "Sundance" until it ceased operations.

WestAir had plans to introduce regional jets and placed orders for BAe 146-200 aircraft with deliveries commencing in 1988. In 1991, North Pacific Airlines—a fellow United Express carrier under WestAir Holding—was merged into WestAir. After being purchased by Mesa Air Group in 1992, WestAir gradually retired its BAe 146 jets due to financial difficulties. United Airlines ended its United Express partnership with WestAir in 1998, appointing SkyWest Airlines as its regional partner on the west coast.

At the time of closure, WestAir primarily flew Brasilias and Jetstream J31s out of hubs at Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Seattle, and Portland. Most Jetstreams were stored after shutdown, while Brasilias were absorbed into SkyWest’s fleet until their retirement was announced in 2015.

Destinations

The majority of WestAir’s destinations were served under its United Express banner. Prior to that affiliation, it operated independently as well as under the Stol Air Commuter name. Locations served with bold text indicate destinations where WestAir (United Express) provided service using BAe 146-200 jets:

During its tenure as a United Express carrier through a code-sharing arrangement with United Airlines, WestAir expanded its network reach and international presence. This collaboration significantly contributed to its growth and strengthened its position within the regional airline market.

Historical fleet

WestAir operated a diverse range of aircraft tailored to its regional airline strategy:[1][2]

Prior to WestAir, its forerunner Stol Air Commuter utilized Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander and Britten-Norman BN-2A Trislander aircraft known for their STOL (short takeoff and landing) capabilities, highlighting an initial emphasis on specialized regional routes.

See also

  1. ↑ http://www.airliners.net, WestAir Commuter Airlines aircraft and United Express/WestAir Commuter Airlines aircraft
  2. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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