MIAMI AIR INTERNATIONAL: 5000 North West 36th St., Suite 307, P. O. Box 660880, Miami, Florida 33266, United States; Phone (305) 876-3600; Phone (305) 871-2003; Http://www. miamiair. com; Code GL; Year Founded 1990. Founded at the south Florida namesake city in August 1990, Miami Air is held by D. R. Fischer, G. A. Lyall, and
J. R. Kommeyer.
Following nearly a year in start-up and certification, the new private company is outfitted with a pair of leased Boeing 727-225As formerly operated by Eastern Air Lines, the first of which is delivered in September 1991 and christened Lois.
Charter and inclusive-tour flights begin on October 15 with an inaugural flight to Havana. After contracting with several cruise lines for connecting service, flights are started to San Juan on December 1 and from the Puerto Rico metropolis to New York and Chicago.
Although traffic figures for the fourth quarter are not reported, the company publicizes its excellent financial returns. On revenues of $1.38 million, profits of $127,605 (operating) and $97,605 (net) are generated.
Airline employment stands at 60 in 1992 as a third B-727-225A is chartered. For the period from the New Hampshire primary through the fall election, one of the trijets is chartered by the Democratic National Committee to serve as the campaign plane for candidate Bill Clinton.
The other two aircraft continue to operate on behalf of what will become Miami’s standard clientele: collegiate and professional sports teams and their fans, bands, boosters and/or alumni; cruise lines; incentive groups; and entertainers, such as Billy Joel and The Rolling Stones. In the years ahead, the U. S. government will become the largest customer, employing the carrier’s fleet to haul soldiers and forest firefighters.
A total of 206,000 passengers are flown during the first full year as revenues ascend to $21.4 million. Profits are generated: $924,278 (operating) and $704,009 million (net).
The fleet is increased in 1993 by the lease of a B-727-231A.
Customer bookings leap ahead by 41.3% to 291,000 and revenues rise 46.6% to $31.35 million. Expenses increase by 44% to $29.46, allowing operating profit to double to $1.88 million. Net profit surges to $2.09 million.
Airline employment is increased by 24.7% in 1994 to 177 as a 4th B-727-225A is put into service.
Passenger boardings swell 6.7% to 310,346. Revenues move ahead by 23.1% to $38.58 million, while expenses increase 21.7% to $35.86 million. Consequently, there is a $2.72-million operating profit and net gain reaches up to $3.03 million.
The workforce grows by 52.5% in 1995 to 270 and 1 more B-727-225A joins the fleet. The team enters into the sports charter business, providing lift to the Carolina Panthers NFL professional football team and Florida Marlins MLB professional baseball team under contract.
Still, enplanements decline 12.5% to 272,000. Revenues exceed costs and there are profits again: $3.55 million (operating) and $3.93 million (net).
There are no changes in either the employee population or fleet in 1996. One of the B-727-225As wears the logo of the NFL Carolina Panthers on one side and the MLB Marlins on the other while the single B-727-231Ahas the Marlins logo painted on both sides of its fuselage.
Customer bookings slide 3.1% to 313,000 even as operating income skyrockets 78.4% to $67.25 million. Expenses jump 90.3% to $64.97 million and leave a $2.27-million operating profit. A $2.43 million net gain is posted.
Operations continue apace for the 60-employee company in 1997. On March 31, the company is fined $20,000 by the DOT for violations of its reporting rules. Of the amount, $10,000 is due by September 2; the other half will be forgiven in a year if the carrier commits no further violations.
During the last week of the year, two B-727-225As are chartered to haul University of Tennessee fans to Miami, where their football team will play—and unhappily lose to—the University of Nebraska in the Orange Bowl on January 2.
Passenger boardings climb to 363,000 while operating revenues ascend 7.6% to $72.34 million. Expenses jump 9.5% to $71.2 million, and allow an operating profit of $1.13 million. The previous year’s large net gain is reduced to $517,000.
Flights continue in 1998. During the last week of the year, a B-727-225A is again chartered to transport University of Tennessee fans to a bowl game.
During the 12 months, customer bookings move ahead by 2.1% to 429,000. Revenues total $82 million and a $3-million operating profit is generated.
Following the Volunteers victory over Florida State University in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl on January 4, 1999, the Miami Air trijet with 8 crew returns to Sky Harbor Airport to pick up 170 passengers for a return flight to Nashville on January 5. Just after takeoff, a passenger notices an open cargo door. When this is brought to the attention of the crew, the captain declares an emergency and immediately dumps fuel. The plane quickly lands back at its point of origin. No injuries are reported and only minor damage is found. Properly secured, the return flight is made, slightly late.
Passenger boardings inch up 1.6% during the year to 436,000. Operating revenues rise 4.4% to $85.67 million, while expenses are up 7.1% to $83.62 million. The operating profit falls to $2.05 million, while net gain drops to $871,000. Still, the company stands in need of a capital infusion to tide it over the usually lean summer charter period
The workforce totals 425 at the beginning of 2000, a 21.4% increase over the previous 12 months. Beginning in January, a B-727-225A is chartered by the presidential primary campaign of Republican candidate George W. Bush. As had been the case with presidential challenger Bill Clinton in 1992, the trijet forces all Secret Service agents and reporters to share just 75 seats. Vice President Gore has rented a DC-9-31 from Spirit Airlines.
Two new Next Generation B-737-81Qs are now delivered, one each on February 6 and May 24, respectively.
On July 14, the company sells an 82% controlling interest to a group of Houston investors, including the freight forwarder Eagle Global Logistics (23%), for $20 million. In announcing the arrangement, Miami President Ross Fischer, who retains a 10% stake while other managers hold 8%, indicates that his B-727s will be converted into cargo planes, while Next Generaton B-737-800s are leased to handle passenger services. It is anticipated that the 450-person workforce will be increased.
Arrangements are also completed on July 14 for the lease of two Next Generation B-737-81Qs and a Dash-8Q8 from Sabre Airways, Ltd. of the U. K, soon to be named Excel Airways, Ltd. The first two will enter service in November and December, with a third arriving the following summer. Meanwhile, two Next Generation B-737-800s are chartered from CIT Aerospace for delivery in April and May. The subsidiary Quest Cargo International is simultaneously established by the carrier, along with Eagle Global Logistics, to operate the B-727s, which are now being converted into freighters.
Previously employed by Gov. Bush during the primary season, the B-727-225A is repainted on August 3 with special red and blue stripes over its white fuselage with large “Bush-Cheney” titles. It is to be used in the post-Republican National Convention campaign period in the fall.
Having developed hydraulic problems, a B-727-225A transporting the University of New Mexico football team to Lubbock for its opening game, is forced to make an emergency landing at Albuquerque on August 25. The game must be rescheduled.
On September 3, Republican candidate Bush transfers to a North American Airlines’ B-757-28A that has been given temporary “Bush-Cheney” titles. The previously employed Miami Air B-727-225A is turned over to vice presidential candidate Dick Cheney, who has been making his appearances aboard a crowded Gulfstream IV executive jet.
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