Established at Yeniseisk in 1996 to provide regional and domestic cargo charters, as well as a full portfolio of rotary-wing aerial work.
Revenue flights begin with a fleet that includes 10 Let L-410UVPs, 6 Antonov An-26s, 17 An-2 biplanes, 11 Mil Mi-8s, and 9 PZL-Swidnik Mi-2s.
Although it is understood that this carrier continues to operate in the period after the beginning of the August 1998 Russina currency crisis, no definite information has been located to that effect.
YEREVAN AVIA: 1/3 Busand Str., Yerevan, 375010, Armenia; Phone (3741) 580121; Fax (3741) 567511; Http://www. yer-avia. am; Code ERV; Year Founded 1992. At the direct urging of Yerevan Mayor Hambartsum Galstyan, this freight operator is established in 1992 as the first all-cargo airline in Armenia equipped with its own aircraft. Under the leadership of Director General Dr. Arsen Asianian, a staff and a small fleet of Ilyushin Il-76TDs are assembled and ad hoc flights are initiated to other countries within the Commonwealth of Independent States.
Service is maintained throughout the remainder of the decade. Over the years, the company’s aircraft range further afield, visiting France, Germany, Bulgaria, Italy, The Netherlands, Belgium, China, India, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Egypt, Australia, and more than 12 others. Both commercial and humanitarian contracts are accepted, with the U. N. and International Red Cross providing a number of the latter.
In 2000, the carrier employs both of its Il-76TDs under a long-term contract to provide air cargo shipments from the United Arab Emirates to the CIS countries of Moldavia, Georgia, Tajikistan, and Russia (mainly Moscow). Few trips are now made to Europe or Africa.
YESSENTUKI AIR: Russia (1996-1998). V. V. Lapchenko founds YA at Stavropol in 1996 to offer domestic passenger and cargo charters. Revenue services commence with a pair of Antonov An-2 biplanes and continue into 1998.
YETI AIRLINES, LTD.: Lazimpat, P. O. Box 20011, Kathamandu, Nepal; Phone 977 (1) 411912; Fax 977 (1) 420766; Http://www. yeti-airlines. com; Year Founded 1998. Yeti is formed at Kathmandu in the spring of 1998 to provide both scheduled and charter passenger air service to major destinations around the country. Shareholding is divided between the Nepal Indo-Suez Bank, Ltd. and the Himalayan General Insurance Company of Nepal. A seven-man board of directors is named that includes Chairman Sonam Sherpa and Managing Director Ang Tshiring Sherpa.
Application is made to the government for an air operator’s certificate, which is duly received on May 29. In addition, arrangements are made with the Canadian carrier Kenn Borek Air, Ltd. for the wet-lease of a de Havilland Canada DHC-6-300. Upon the arrival of the Twin Otter, revenue flights commence on September 21.
Flights continue without incident or headline in 1999 and the fleet is increased by the addition of four more DHC-6-300s. During the summer of 2000, an Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia is chartered from CS Aviation.
It arrives at Kathmandu on October 1 and enters service shortly thereafter. A homepage is opened on the Internet at the end of the year.
YORKSHIRE EUROPEAN AIRWAYS, LTD.: United Kingdom (1993). Yorkshire is organized in the spring of 1993 to offer scheduled third-level regional services from Southampton to Aberdeen with a fleet of 2 leased Embraer EMB-110P1 Bandeirantes. Unable to achieve viability, the company closes its doors in November.
YOSEMITE AIRLINES: United States (1975-1981). Columbia, California-based charter operator Dean H. Jung, owner of Tuolumne Air Service, establishes a scheduled airline subsidiary in early 1975. Employing a Piper PA-23 Aztec and a Cessna 337, the carrier begins scheduled flights on June 30 linking its base with San Francisco, Sacramento, Modesto, Stockton, and Yosemite/Pine Mountain Lake.
During the next two years, the fleet is increased by the addition of a Beech B-80 Queen Air. Orders are placed for another, plus a King Air 90. By 1977, enplanements are 1,750 and revenues are $108,000.
The second Queen Air and the King Air join the fleet in 1978. Passenger boardings skyrocket 75% to 7,000. Operating income also increases, up 100.9% to $217,000.
Service to South Lake Tahoe and Monterey begins in May 1979. Three Piper PA-31-310 Navajos and a Flyapak cargo service are introduced. George Moore becomes president in November and installs a new management team.
Customer bookings jump 172% during the 12 months to 9,000.
The employee population is boosted 120% in 1980 to 33. A computer system for accounting and reservations is purchased for installation at the Columbia base and three new Chieftains join the fleet. Plans are made to extend services to Merced, San Jose, and Oakland.
Passenger boardings decline by 13.2% to 7,456, but operating income totals $803,295—a 94% boost.
Increased fuel and other costs in a time of recession force the company out of business in May 1981.
YOUNG AIR: United States (1980-1982). H. Wayne French establishes Young Air as the commuter division of his Young Flying Service in 1980. Based at Harlingen Industrial Airport at Harlingen, Texas, the carrier’s Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain and PA-34 Seneca inaugurate scheduled passenger flights to McAllen and the cross-border Mexican cities of Reynosa and Ciudad Victoria.
Meanwhile, YFS continues to operate charter and contract passenger and cargo flights to various nonscheduled destinations in the Rio Grande Valley with a second Chieftain.
Increased costs and recession make the scheduled service unprofitable and it is abandoned in 1982 in favor of all-charter operations. These are continued until late in the decade.
YOUNG CARGO, S. A.: Belgium (1974-1981). Established at Zaven-tum in September 1974, Young Cargo begins all-cargo charter flights with two Boeing 707-320Cs to various worldwide destinations in March 1975. Contract service flights are also undertaken.
Within three years, Managing Director Edouard de Jeune’s workforce grows to 90. Unable to generate sufficient traffic to overcome expenses caused by recession and radically higher fuel costs, the carrier stops flying in 1981.
YPFB TRANSPORTES AEREOS, S. A. See SERVICIOS AEREOS PETROLEROS, S. A. (SAPSA)
YUGAVIA AVIATRANSPORTNII KONCERN. See SOUTHERN AIR LINES (YUGAVIAAVIATRANSPORTNII KONCERN)
YUKON AIR NORTH. See AIR NORTH (YUKON AIR SERVICE)
YUKON AIR SERVICE: United States (1967-1973). Yukon Air Service is established at Fairbanks in 1967 to offer nonscheduled passenger and cargo services to local destinations in central Alaska with a fleet of Beech 18s, Scottish Twin Pioneers, and Cessna lightplanes. The company is renamed Air North (Yukon Air Service) in 1973.
YUKON AIRWAYS AND EXPLORATION, LTD.: Canada (19271939) . This short-lived Yukon operation is established at White Horse in the spring of 1927 to operate passenger and express charters and mail flights to Dawson City and Mayo. Initial capitalization is C$50,000 and the fleet comprises 1 Ryan Brougham, christened Queen of the Yukon.
David “Andy” Cruickshank is named general manager and chief pilot and he flies and ships the aircraft to and from Vancouver and on to Sk-agway, Alaska, where it is reassembled on October 21. Regularly scheduled Whitehorse-Dawson City via Mayo mail flights commence on November 11.
Cruickshank departs the company for Western Canada Airways, Ltd. in 1928. Flown by a new pilot, the Ryan crashes on April 5,1929 while initiating a Dawson City to Aklavik route; the pilot is killed. With the loss of the aircraft and the coming depression, the company shuts down in 1930.
YUKON SOUTHERN AIR TRANSPORT, LTD.: Canada (19381942). In 1938, Ginger Coote Airways, Ltd. and United Air Transport, Ltd. amalgamate into YSAT, with Grant McConachie as president. Ford 5-AT Tri-Motor service is now started from Ware to Prince George and from Vancouver to Fort St. John and Edmonton.
In 1939-1941, the fleet grows to include several Barkley Grows and a pair of Lockheed L-14s.
On January 30, 1942, the carrier is one of 10 airlines purchased by the Canadian Pacific Railway and formed into the subsidiary Canadian Pacific Air Lines, Ltd. (CPAL). McConachie is named president of what would eventually become Canada’s second largest air transport concern.
YUKOS AVIA AIR: Russia (1996-1998). YAA is set up in 1996 to undertake passenger charters in support of the region’s developing energy industry. Revenue flights begin and continue with a single Tupolev Tu-134A.
The Russian currency crisis, which begins in the summer of 1998, forces the company out of business.
YUNG SHING AIRLINES, LTD. See FORMOSAAIRLINES, LTD.
YUNNAN AIRLINES OF CHINA, LTD.: Wujaba Airport, Kunming, Yunnan Province, 650200, China; Phone 86 (871) 717-7528; Fax 86 (871) 313-8675; Http://sunflower. signet. com. sg/grasroot/ cya. html; Code 3Q; Year Founded 1992. YAC is established at Wuji-aba Airport at Kunming in 1992 to offer scheduled passenger services to destinations within its region. Xu Xiaoming is named president of the 2,300-employee subsidiary of CAAC (The General Administration of Civil Aviation of China), which is given a fleet comprising 5 Boeing 737-3W0s, 1 B-737-3Y0, and 1 B-737-341.
Operations continue apace in 1993 and in 1994 a chartered B-737-37K joins the fleet.
While landing at Kunming in rain on July 20, a B-737-3W0 with 8 crew and 140 passengers overruns the runway, hitting approach lights and the ILS antenna; although the little Boeing is damaged beyond repair and there are injuries, no fatalities are reported.
On December 31, a contract is signed with the city of Vientiane, Laos, under which the airline will provide local and international flight services.
Flights from Beijing to Vientiane via Kunming begin during 1995. Enplanements total 1,920,185.
The workforce stands at 2,300 in 1996 and the fleet now includes 10 B-737-300s and 3 B-767-3W0ERs. Passenger boardings accelerate 24.1% to 2,529,887 and 28.68 million FTKs are operated, a huge 59.5% increase.
Airline employment is increased by 30% in 1997 to 3,000. At the end of January, a $68-million order is placed with Boeing for two B-737-3W0s. The first is delivered at year’s end.
Customer bookings climb 14% to 2,883,336 while cargo increases 28.7% to 72 million FTKs.
In 1998, the company employs three newly delivered B-767-300ERs to begin service to Bangkok and Singapore. Passenger boardings jump to 3.29 million, while cargo traffic increases 28.7% to 72 million FTKs.
With a fleet of 9 B-737-3W0s, 3 B-737-33As, 1 B-737-341,4 Next Generation B-737-7W0s, and 3 B-767-3W0ERs, the carrier, in 1999, makes scheduled visits to Bangkok, Baoshan, Beihai, Beijing, Changchun, Changsha, Chendu, Chongqing, Dali City, Dalian, Diqing, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Guilin, Guiyang, Haikou, Harbin, Hefei, Jinan, Jinghong, Lijiang City, Luxi, Macau, Nanchang, Nanjing, Nanning, Ningbo, Qingdao, Shanghai, Shantou, Shenyang, Shenzhen, Shijiazhuang, Simao, Singapore, Taiyuan, Tunxi, Vientiane, Wenzhou, Wuhan, Xian, Xiamen, Xuzhou, Yibin, Yichang, Zhanjiang, Zhaotong, Zhengzhou, and Zhuhai.
Customer bookings surge 31.6% to 4,337,000, while cargo jumps 9.9% to 113.06 million FTKs.
The workforce at the beginning of 2000 totals 2,300.
Weekly roundtrip service is inaugurated on June 16 from Kunming to Chengdu and Jinzhou.
In response to a fatal June 22 Xian Airlines Y-7-100C crash, CAAC (The General Administration of Civil Aviation of China) delivers a major reorganization plan to the China State Council in mid-July. Among the proposals is a release of all airlines from the requirement that they purchase aircraft through CAAC. More important, however, is a recommendation that the 13 largest of China’s 34 carriers be consolidated into 3 groups built around Air China International Corporation, China Eastern Airlines Company, Ltd., and Yunnan begins negotiations to become a member of the China Southern Airlines Company, Ltd. group.
Six Bombardier CRJ200ERs are ordered during the first week of September.
Reacting to rising fuel costs, the CAAC (The General Administration of Civil Aviation of China), on November 1, grants the nation’s 34 airlines permission to raise ticket prices by 15% to balance passenger traffic and avgas costs; 23 companies, including Yunnan, increase fares on November 5.
By the end of the year, concern has been expressed in many circles that China Southern Airlines Company, Ltd. is becoming far larger than the government had intended. It is suggested that the CAAC (The General Administration of Civil Aviation of China) may “give” Yunnan to China Eastern Airlines Company, Ltd. as a form of “compensation.”
On March 1, 2001, Yunnan will enter into a code-sharing agreement with China Southern Airlines Company, Ltd. covering flights between Guangzhou and Kunming. The pact will be the first domestic code-share signed between two Chinese airlines and demonstrates the “camp” with which Yunnan is allied.
YUTANAAIRLINES: United States (1987-1994). Dale E. Erickson establishes Yutana Airlines at Fairbanks, Alaska, in 1987 to operate regional and bush flights with a fleet of 2 Piper Cherokee Lances. Scheduled flights are introduced in 1991 and a total of 668 passengers and 510,230 pounds of mail are flown during the inaugural year. Operations continue apace until September 1994, when the company is renamed Alaska Central Express.
YUTE AIR ALASKA: 4451 Aircraft Drive, Anchorage, Alaska 99502, United States; Phone 907 243-1011; Fax 907 243-2811; Http://www. yuteiar. com; Code 4Y; Year Founded 1956. YAS is established as Bob Harris Flying Service in Dillingham, Alaska, during 1956 to undertake passenger and cargo charter services throughout the 49th state.
In 1973, local Dillingham pilot Philip L. Bingman and his wife, Demptha, purchase the concern and change the name to Yute, which roughly translates as “people.” The word is derived from the Upik Eskimo word Yuut, a term that the indigenous Yipik people in the southwest employ to refer to themselves. During the next nine years, Yute becomes a dominant air charter and air taxi operator, specializing in the transport of people and goods to bush locations.
Following the “Bethel Experiment,” a government test designed to improve airmail transportation in Alaska, Yute, in late 1981, receives its Part 401 certificate from the CAB.
Scheduled passenger and freight services are provided to destinations in the Togiak and Nushagak River and Bristol Bay regions beginning in 1982. Destinations visited include Aleknagik, Clarks Point, Ekuk, Ek-wok, King Salmon, Koliganek, Manokotak, New Stuyahok, Portage Creek, and Togiak. As is the case with many other Alaskan bush commuters, Yute will encounter its share of operational accidents.
After picking up four passengers on a beach near Twin Hills on May 8, 1983, the pilot of a Cessna 206 bounces his aircraft during takeoff; the aircraft yaws, encounters loose gravel, and goes into the water. No injuries are reported.
While taking off from Ekuk on June 26, 1984, a PA-32 with a pilot and seven passengers strikes a six-ft. pipe and crashes; four people are injured, one seriously.
Having taken off from Koliganek on November 20 without first having its snow removed, a Cessna 207A with three passengers crash-lands; two aboard receive minor injuries, but the aircraft must be withdrawn.
The fleet in the middle 1980s comprises 1 each Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain, Cessna 207, Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander, Cessna 185, and various miscellaneous aircraft.
While en route to Togiak on September 14, 1985, a PA-32 with two aboard crashes into a mountain in bad weather; both people are seriously injured. The accident comes at the worst possible time, as the FAA, in the aftermath of a Ryan Air Beech 1900 crash, begins a focused inspection of Alaska’s small regionals. Eight companies, including Yute, fail the federal review and are shut down.
Yute regains its certification and service to Bethel begins in 1986. Operations continue apace in 1987 and during these years the fleet grows to 22 aircraft, 7 of which are committed to flights out of Bethel. Additional stations are opened at St. Mary’s, Kotzebue, Illiamna, and Aniak.
Having elected to fly in very bad weather, a Navajo Chieftain strikes a 350-ft. hill at Nightmute on May 7; the pilot is killed and the aircraft is destroyed.
A number of problems and failed government inspections culminate in September 1988 when various FAR violations lead to the carrier’s grounding by the FAA for a second time. The company is now sold to William L. Johnson, who begins work to gain recertification.
In the spring of 1989, Yute applies to the DOT for permission to resume scheduled operations with 3 Navajo Chieftains, 5 Cessna 207s, and 1 de Havilland DHC-6-300 Twin Otter. Operating authority (Part 135) is restored at year’s end.
The fleet of the 45-employee regional is increased in 1990 to 14 aircraft: 2 Navajo Chieftains, 2 Saratogas, 2 Cessna 207As, and 1 each Cessna 172, Cessna 208, and Douglas DC-3. Service is resumed on February 12.
Enplanements by December total 20,000. Revenues are $2.4 million and with costs contained, the operating profit is $400,000 and net gain reaches $60,000.
Neither fleet nor employee population changes in 1991 as passenger boardings soar to 35,840. In addition, 4,274,293 pounds of mail are flown. Customer bookings jump 64.9% in 1992 to 59,089.
Yute witnesses a 4% increase in passenger boardings during 1993 to 61,632. Flights continue in 1994, but customer bookings decline 7% to 57,026. On the plus side, a total of 330,000 FTKs, mail and express, are flown.
The fleet in 1995 includes 2 Navajo Chieftains, 12 Cessna 207As, 2 Cessna 206s, and 1 lone Cherokee Six.
On February 25, a Cessna 207A crashes on the southwest side of a box canyon 10 min. out from Kotzebue; the pilot, who had been searching for wolves, is killed.
After experiencing whiteout conditions, another Cessna 207A, with a pilot and a passenger, collides with flat, snow-covered terrain 5 mi. N of Bethel on March 20. Although the aircraft is badly damaged, no injuries are reported.
Enplanements for the year soar 28% to 72,790.
The employee population numbers 180 in 1996.
Just 500 ft. into its April 17 climb away from Kotzebue, witnesses observe a Cessna 207A make a right turn, bank right 90 degrees and descend into the ground; the pilot is seriously injured.
In cooperation with San Antonio, Texas-based Merlin Express, Yute, in July, inaugurates service with three Fairchild Metro IIIs between Anchorage and Aniak, Bethel, and Dillingham. Metroliner flights commence on November 17 from Anchorage to Kotzebue.
Having exhausted fuel, a Navajo Chieftain with a pilot and five passengers makes a precautionary landing at Nunapitchuk on December 5; just after touchdown, a gust of wind pushes the aircraft off the right side of the runway. No injuries are reported.
Passenger boardings during the 12 months accelerate 15.7% to 84,204.
In 1997, President Johnson’s company flies 18 C-207As, 3 C-206s, 3 C-172s, 3 Chieftains, 1 Cherokee Six, 2 Metro Ills, and 1 C-208 Caravan I.
During the spring, the Metroliner network is expanded from Anchorage to Nome, Kenai, and King Salmon.
Distracted from his checklist by another aircraft, the pilot of a Navajo Chieftain makes a wheels-up landing at Selawik on April 25; although the aircraft is badly damaged, the flyer is unhurt.
In June, Jeffrey R. Pereira is appointed president/CEO. His main task is to develop the airline from a Part 135 into a Part 121 charter carrier as soon as possible. To assist him, Pereira contracts with former Pennsylvania Commuter Airlines President William C. Clark, now employed by Aviation Management International, to provide advice on marketing, sales, and yield management.
Just after landing in the ocean near Cape Pierce following a July 7 service from Cape Newenham, a float-equipped Cessna 206 with a pilot and two passengers is caught by a wind gust and shoved up out of the water onto the beach, where it noses over. No injuries are reported.
While taxiing for takeoff from Anchorage on August 22, Yute Air Alaska Flight 421, a Metro III with two crew and five passengers wet-leased by Yute to Merlin Express, collides with an airport tug. Although the aircraft sustains substantial damages, no injuries are reported.
The year’s customer bookings drop 5.3% to 79,732.
As 1998 begins, Yute employs 160 workers and 54 contract agents. It provides scheduled service (most of them twice daily) to 57 villages from hubs at Aniak, Bethel, Dillingham, Kenai, King Salmon, Kotzebue, and Nome. Almost all of the company’s passengers continue to be carried between rural villages and bush hubs, including Naknek, Lev-clock, Shishmarefand, and Koyuk. Approximately half of the revenue generated by Yute continues to come from passenger flights and most customers (80%) continue to be native Eskimos.
While taking off from Quinhagak on May 21, a Cessna 207A with a pilot and four passengers strikes a runway edge light, severely damaging the left stabilizer. The aircraft continues on to its destination of Bethel, where an uneventful landing is made. The company maintenance department later replaces the entire left stabilizer.
During the summer and fall, President/CEO Pereira retires his Navajo Chieftains, replacing them with additional Cessna Caravans.
Following the purchase of Reno Air by American Airlines, negotiations between Reno and Yute concerning a code-sharing agreement are terminated.
Passenger boardings fall 14.3% to 72,000.
Yute experiences a severe cash-flow problem during the first quarter of 1999. The fiscal situation forces the Alaskan commuter to file for Chapter XI bankruptcy protection in March. The two wet-leased Metro-liners are returned to Merlin Express as the company stops flying while efforts are made to reorganize. Passenger boardings this year plunge 90% to7,000.
By 2000, the company is still alive and the worforce at the beginning of the year totals 215.
World History
