Atlanta-based holding company Phoenix Airline Services, acquired by ex-Eastern Metro Express Chief Operating Officer Michael J. Brady, signs a 10-year contract with Republic Airlines in March 1985 to provide feeder service through the latter’s Memphis hub. Employing three leased British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 31s, the new Republic Express Airlines launches service on May 31 from west Tennessee to the Mississippi communities of Muscle Shoals and Tuscaloosa. Flights begin in June to Columbus, Greenville, and Meridian.
The company’s first SAAB-Fairchild SF340 is received and initiates Memphis-Jackson flights on July 15. Frequencies are opened to Monroe, in Louisiana, during August and the fleet continues to grow during the summer and fall to a total of 19 British-made turboprops plus 6 SAAB SF340s.
Memphis-Minneapolis (MSP) flights begin during the holidays while enplanements for the year total 137,345.
The fleet is increased in 1986 by the addition of two more SF340s and five Jetstream 31s. When Republic Chairman Wolf announces in January that the major is being purchased by Northwest Airlines, the arrangement also includes Republic Express. During the next six months, as takeover permission is sought from the DOT, REA transports in excess of 370,000 passengers.
On July 31, the regional carrier is renamed Express Airlines One and as a Northwest Airlink partner, continues its mission to provide feed to the Memphis and Minneapolis (MSP) hubs.
World History
