STAR AIRLINES, S. A.: Immeuble Horizon, 10 Allee Bienvenue, Noisy-le-Grand, 93885, France; Phone 33 (1) 48 15 90 00; Fax 33 (1) 48 15 90 10; Code ZR; Year Founded 1997. Majority shareholding in Star Europe (Societe de Transports Aerien Regional, S. A.) is purchased toward the end of 1996 by the Canadian-based Look Voyages travel concern, part of the Transat Group and Air Transat, Ltd. Travelers booked on the carrier’s two leased Boeing 737-497s continue their winter holiday vacations without interruption. Orders are placed for five Airbus Industrie A320-214s, the first of which is delivered on December 19.
In early 1997, majority shareholding is purchased by the French Look Voyages division. At this point, the airline is renamed. The second A320-214 is delivered on February 27. Wearing the company’s colorful white, black, and green livery, the carrier’s third A320-214 is delivered on November 28. It enters service from Paris (CDG) in early December. A fourth A320-214 is handed over on December 10.
Flights continue in 1998. Once Air Charter International, S. A. is finally submerged within Air France, a capacity gap develops in the French leisure market. As a result, the company, in late spring, seeks to acquire an L-1011 to operate into the market during the forthcoming winter season.
In mid-December, an L-1011-500 is chartered from the Canadian associate Air Transat, Ltd.
When the TriStar enters service in January 1999, Star becomes only the second French airline to operate the long-range Lockheed. The last of five A320-214s is delivered on April 1.
Early in 2000, consideration is given to the acquisition of an A321.
STAR AIRWAYS: United States (1977-1980). Lee Hollingsworth, founder and owner of the Denver-based Star Aviation, establishes an airline division of his FBO in 1977 to undertake replacement and Essential Air Service (EAS) flights to Gillette and Rawlins. Scheduled Beech Baron, Swearingen Merlin IV, and Piper PA-31-310 Navajo passenger and cargo flights are maintained until 1980.
STAR AIRWAYS (STAR HAVA YOLLARI, A. O.): Germiyan Sokak, No. 6, Daire 4, Hulkiye Hatun Villasi, Florya, Istanbul, Turkey; Phone 90 (212) 663-9120; Fax 90 (212) 663-9123; Code Z3; Year Founded 1995. Chairman Ismet Kotak establishes Star Airways at Istanbul in July 1995 to offer international, regional, and domestic allcargo services, both scheduled and charter. Bahman Daneshmand is appointed general manager and he recruits a workforce of 28 and acquires 1 Boeing 727-225F. Meanwhile, commercial arrangements are entered into with UPS (United Parcel Service), Federal Express, Air 2000, Ltd., Continental Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic Airways, Ltd. Revenue flights commence in December.
In November, Star purchases the financially distressed, one-plane British start-up passenger carrier World Airlines, Ltd. from music entrepreneur Nick Stolberg. A spokesman for World suggests that the grounded airline will soon return to service. Apparently executives at both airlines are unaware that an airline owned by a non-European company cannot be based in the U. K.
Cargo flights continue in 1997-2000, during which years the company’s single aircraft regularly visits points in Europe, the Mideast, the CIS, the Far East, and South Africa.
STAR ALLIANCE. See AIR CANADA, LTD.; AIR NEW ZEALAND, LTD.; ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS COMPANY, LTD. (ANA); ANSETT AUSTRALIA (PTY.), LTD.; AUSTRALIAN AIR GROUP, LTD.; AUSTRIAN AIRLINES, A. G.; BRITISH MIDLAND AIRWAYS, LTD.; CANADIAN AIRLINES, LTD.; DEUTSCHE LUFTHANSA, A. G.; LAUDA AIR, GmbH; MEXI-CANAAIRLINES, S. A. de C. V.; SAS (SCANDINAVIAN AIRLINES SYSTEM); THAI AIRWAYS INTERNATIONAL, LTD.; TYROLEAN AIRWAYS (TYROLEAN AIRWAYS LUFTFAHRGES-SELSCHAFT, GmbH); UNITED AIRLINES; VARIG BRAZILIAN AIRLINES (VIACAO AEREA RIO-GRANDENSE, S. A.)
STAR ASIA AIRWAYS: Philippines (1994-1996). Star Asia is established at Subic Bay in the spring of 1994 to offer interisland scheduled services. Revenue flights commence in May with a single de Havilland Canada DHC-7-102. Plans are made later in the year to offer frequencies to destinations in Southeast Asia and orders are placed for a pair of
Boeing 737-200s. One is received under charter from GPA (Guinness Peat Aviation, Ltd.).
Star’s plans to begin jetliner service collapse during the first quarter of 1995 and the company returns it Boeing to its Irish lessor at the end of March. A second DHC-7-102 is taken in its place and domestic flights are operated until the carrier shuts its doors in the summer of 1996.
STAR EUROPE (SOCIETE DE TRANSPORTS AERIEN REGIONAL, S. A.): France (1995-1997). Star Europe is established at Paris (ORY) on August 3, 1995 to offer European charter services. Cedric Pastour is chairman/CEO and he recruits a workforce of 152. A single Boeing 737-33A is leased and nonscheduled flights to Lille, Lyons, and Nantes commence on December 22.
The inaugural aircraft is returned during the second quarter of 1996 as two chartered, former Aloha Airlines B-737-497s become available. Orders are placed for two Airbus Industrie A320-214s. The carrier is purchased at the end of the year by the Canadian-based Look Voyages travel concern, part of the Transat Group and Air Transat, Ltd.
In early 1997, Look Voyages requires that the company be renamed Star Airlines, S. A.
STARLINE, B. V.: Hoeksteen 115, Hoofddorp, 2132MX, The Netherlands; Phone 31 (20) 653 0003; Fax 31 (20) 653 0335; Code AHD1; Year Founded 1993. With ownership divided between Air Holland Charter, N. V. (52%) and El Al Israel Airlines, Ltd. (48%), Starline is set up on August 13, 1993, to provide international passenger charters. R. Franken is managing director and he begins revenue flights with aircraft leased from the majority owner.
STARLITE EXPRESS: United States (1988-1991). After Metro Express II is merged into Metro Airlines in August 1987, this new subsidiary is created as its successor in January 1988. Outfitted with six Shorts 330 freighters, the all-cargo operator inaugurates scheduled freight services for Federal Express Airlines.
Initial routes flown are from Rochester, New York, to Newark and from Charleston, South Carolina, to Louisville. Additional northeastern routes are later added, some on behalf of UPS (United Parcel Service). The subsidiary releases neither traffic nor financial data.
Operations continue apace in 1989-1990. Although the cargo operation is not included when parent Metro files for Chapter XI bankruptcy in the spring of 1991, its assets are sold in an effort to raise funds.
STARRETT AIRWAYS, LTD. See CANADIAN PACIFIC AIR LINES (CPAL)
STARSPEED, LTD.: 11 Little Bookham St., Bookham, Surrey, England, KT23 3AA, United Kingdom; Phone 1372-457904; Fax 1372459068; Year Founded 1984. Starspeed is established at Bookham in 1984 to provide passenger charters.
By 2000, CEO John Dickin oversees a 4-person workforce and the operations of 1 each Aerospatiale AS-350B, AS-355, Bell 206B Jet-Ranger, and Bell 222.
STARWAYS, LTD.: United Kingdom (1948-1964). This charter operation is formed in early December 1948 as a means of rapid transport for show business personnel and is registered as an airline company on December 7. Initially capitalized at ?2,000, the first base is at Blackpool Airport.
A Percival Q.6 is purchased in January 1949 and employed to initiate revenue flights. On May 6, the aircraft is lost in crash at Broomhall, Pwllheli, and the company is transferred to Liverpool (Speke) Airport where an Avro Anson is acquired and christened Stardust.
In March 1950, two additional Ansons, Starlight and Starflight, are purchased and are employed to offer pleasure flights from Liverpool as well as a summer charter service to London (Northolt). A freight service to Belfast is launched in October and on October 17, a DC-3 becomes available. The Douglas transport is employed to make long range flights to Pakistan and Holland.
Produce and passenger charters are flown by the DC-3 in 1951; destinations visited include Belfast, Amsterdam, Tarbes, Palermo, Marseilles, and Brussels. In February, the Avro 19 Starlight is sold. The An-sons provide nonscheduled services from Liverpool to Jersey via London (LGW). In May, a de Havilland DH 89 Dragon Rapide is acquired. F. W. Wilson, owner of Cathedral Touring Agency, becomes chairman and now schedules a series of inclusive-tours.
DC-3 charters to Greece, Istanbul, and La Baule, France, are flown in early 1952. In January, the Avro 19 Starflight is sold and in February, the Anson Stardust is removed. During March and May, six ex-RAF Dakotas are purchased and converted to DC-3 civil standard. During the summer, inclusive-tours are undertaken to Jersey and Tarbes. A total of 4,800 passengers are enplaned on the year.
An initial scheduled route is offered in 1953, Liverpool-Isle of Man. Inclusive-tour destinations include Bilbao and Tarbes. Two ex-RAF DC-3 s are sold along with the Dragon Rapide, while another DC-3 is delivered. Passenger bookings reach 6,030.
Cathedral Touring Agency purchases the carrier in 1954 and the new inclusive-tour destinations of Nice and Glasgow are added. An Avro Anson and a DC-3 are sold. In March 1955, a DC-3 scheduled service is initiated from Liverpool-London (Northolt). Meanwhile, San Sebastian via Biarritz is added to the inclusive-tour network and a DC-3 is sold.
A DC-3 with three crew is lost at Largos on March 28, 1956, while on a ferry flight (one dead).
Glasgow-Jersey inclusive-tour flights commence in May while the destinations of previous years are flown during the summer. A DC-3 is added in October and it then participates in the airlift of Hungarian refugees Austria-U. K. in November, transporting some 300 in 9 roundtrips.
Inclusive-tours continue unchanged in 1957 and a DC-4 is delivered in September.
Refurbished and in new livery, the DC-4 enters service in January 1958, its first flight being delivery of football fans Liverpool-Southend. In February, a DC-3 is sold and another DC-4 is placed in operation. New scheduled routes are flown Liverpool (Speke)-London (LHR) and from Glasgow (Renfrew)-Jersey. New inclusive-tour destinations include Barcelona, Basel, Bergen, and Santander; earlier destinations are also flown.
Liverpool-St. Mawgan via Exeter DC-4 scheduled service is inaugurated on June 13, 1959. New inclusive-tour destinations include Luxembourg, Perpignan, and Pisa. On behalf of Trans-Arabian Airlines, Ltd., a DC-4 flies pilgrims to Mecca on October 16.
Another DC-4 joins the fleet in March 1960. Scheduled DC-3 flights are, beginning on June 12, initiated from Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester, and Newcastle to Exeter and St. Mawgan and from Liver-pool-Ostend. Scheduled Liverpool-Glasgow flights commence on October 12. Weekly Manchester-Prestwick all-cargo flights start on November 20.
In February 1961, a Vickers Viscount 708 is acquired from Air France. Another DC-4 is purchased in March and one is leased for six months from Trans World Leasing. New inclusive-tour destinations added to those already served include Munich, Oporto, Malagna, Rome, Dinard, and Bordeaux. When the Viscount enters service in May, two DC-4s are leased to Sabena Belgian World Airlines, S. A. On September 17, one of the DC-4s leased to the Belgians is destroyed on the ground at Kamina Airport in the Congo by Katangan fighter aircraft. Two days later, a company Skymaster with 4 crew and 69 passengers and first flown by Pacific Southwest Airlines in California, is destroyed as the result of a hard landing at Collinstown Airport, Dublin; there are no fatalities.
Daily Liverpool (Speke)-London (LHR) via Hawarden scheduled service begins on April 2, 1962. Blackpool is added as a stop on the Liverpool-Glasgow route on May 19. Liverpool-Cork thrice-weekly scheduled flights are initiated on June 1 and direct Edinburgh-Exeter service starts the next day. In November, an ex-Tradair, Ltd. Viscount 707 is purchased.
A DC-4 is delivered in January 1963 and inclusive tours are flown as before with the addition of Nantes as a new destination. On November 19, the carrier is sold to British Eagle International Airlines, Ltd. and
Ceases operations on December 31. Enplanements for the final year total 153,209.
STARWELT AIRWAYS (PTY.), LTD.: 3 Willow St., Kempton Pak 1620, P. O. Box 783465, Johannesburg, 2146, South Africa; Phone 27 (11) 975-6452; Fax 27 (11) 975 1863; Http://www. azfreight. com/ starwelt; Code 2N; Year Founded 1989. Originally established in Burundi in 1989 by Capt. Joseph R. B. Krama, Starwelt inaugurates services with a single Boeing 707-320C, flying cargo around the world, particularly in Africa.
In the early 1990s, company headquarters are transferred to Johannesburg. As the years progress, the fleet is expanded to include not only the original Stratofreighter, but 1 each Airbus Industrie A300B4-203F, Canadair CL-44, Ilyushin Il-76, and Douglas DC-3.
In 1999-2000, the company continues to operate contracts, taking all manner of freight to remote areas, such as mining sites and construction zones. Emergency relief flights are also made on behalf of government agencies or international organizations.
STATE AIRLINES: United States (1978-1984). Established at Fort Lauderdale in 1978, State Airlines undertakes scheduled commuter services linking its base with Key West, Miami, and Sarasota plus the Bahamian destinations of Bimini, Chub Cay, Great Harbour Cay, Marsh Harbour, and Treasure Cay. The fleet employed includes de Havilland DH 114 Herons, Cessna 402s, and Piper PA-34 Senecas.
Early in the 1980s, a number of services are undertaken in conjunction with Southeast Airlines under the joint marketing title State Southeast Airlines. In 1984, State, like Southeast Airlines, ceases operations.
STATE SOUTHEAST AIRLINES. See SOUTHEAST AIRLINES
(3); STATE AIRLINES
STATELINE COMMUTER SERVICE: United States (1974-1975).
SCS is set up at Leewood, Kansas, in 1974 to provide daily scheduled passenger and cargo flights to destinations within the Kansas City metropolitan area. Piper PA-32 Cherokee Six and Aero Commander 500B roundtrips duly commence, but cannot be maintained beyond 1975.
STATESWEST AIRLINES: United States (1985-1993). StatesWest is founded by Paul Jones at Phoenix in the summer of 1985 to offer scheduled passenger flights from various communities to the gambling and resort community of Bullhead City, Arizona. The airline is incorporated in Delaware on September 26.
Revenue flights commence on October 1, 1986 with three Shorts 360s. In November, the Newport Beach, California-based small regional Golden State Airlines is acquired in exchange for 10,000 shares of Stateswest common stock.
A total of 9,876 passengers are flown during the fourth quarter and a $1.4-million net loss is suffered.
In 1987, President Jones and his officers float a $6.6-million public stock offering. The money is employed to order a pair of British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 31s, which arrive in July and August. The carrier now serves Laughlin, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Bakersfield.
In November, daily nonstop frequencies are introduced from Los Angeles (LAX) to Laughlin, Nevada, and, at year’s end, Keith Houk becomes president.
Passenger boardings explode to 73,751 and revenues reach $3.86 million. Unfortunately, expenses exceed this income and losses are again taken: $6.06 million (operating) and $5.97 million (net).
The workforce is reduced by 14.1% in 1988 to 110. Early in the year, the small regional becomes a code-sharing affiliate of Braniff, Inc. and its repainted turboprops inaugurate services to Prescott and Fort Huachuca. Orders are placed for six Beech 1900s and in October, twice-weekday roundtrips commence from Tucson to Scottsdale.
Customer bookings increase by 44.7% to 106,685. Revenues climb by 19.7% to $5.8 million, expenses decline by 18.9%, but still total $8.83 million, and the operating loss is cut to $3.04 million. The net loss also improves to $3.51 million.
One each Shorts 360 and Jetstream 31 are acquired in 1989. Operations continue to 16 California, Colorado, and Arizona destinations, with special attention paid to the gambling town of Bullhead City in the latter state. In June, 20,000 shares of common stock (7.25% interest) is taken in the rival regional Mesa Airlines. During the summer, company officials attempt to propel this shareholding into a total takeover of Mesa, but the acquisition bid is successfully spurned.
On August 1, nonstop roundtrips are inaugurated between Scottsdale and Tucson, bringing the number of daily departures from the former point to seven. Plans are now made, with San Francisco-based Pacific Gate Corporation, to begin a joint-venture regional airline in Thailand.
Passenger boardings decline by 2.5% to 104,057 and revenues fall by 5.1% to $5.6 million. Expenses, however, shoot up 24.3% to $7.5 million and leave the company with a $1.91-million operating loss. The net loss is also cut, to $2.71 million.
Airline employment is increased by 104% in 1990 to 255 as it is announced on April 5 that the carrier will become the ninth “USAir Express” partner of USAir and the first based on the U. S. West Coast; James Lane is named president. Unable to commit the time or resources required, the airline, in May, drops its plan to create a joint venture regional airline in Thailand. In June, daily flights begin from Los Angeles to Bakersfield and Santa Barbara, along with thrice-daily flights from San Diego to Santa Barbara.
On June 15, a 1-for-6 split of outstanding common stock is offered and the company’s non-Beech fleet is withdrawn as $130 million in orders are placed for 10 additional Beech 1900s, 4 de Havilland Canada DHC-8-100s, as well as an ATC flight simulator.
Two of the Beeches arrive at the first of July and join the six already in hand to inaugurate “USAir Express” services on July 15 over the carrier’s old routes. Two additional Beech 1900s arrive at year’s end.
Customer bookings accelerate 47.3% to 161,847 and revenues balloon 51.4% to $8.47 million. Costs, led by acquisition of FAR 121 certification and the USAir contract, jump 48.5% to $11.13 million. The operating loss worsens to $2.65 million and the net loss deepens to $3.95 million.
Company employment is cut 49.8% in 1991 to 128 as Rudy Miller becomes chairman/president. He upgrades his flight equipment by adding four additional Beech 1900s, four Beech 1300s, and the four de Havilland Canada DHC-8-100s. A fourth daily “USAir Express” service is introduced in October from Los Angeles (LAX) to Ontario, California. Passenger boardings skyrocket 97.5% to 348,689 and revenues balloon 137.7% to $20.15 million. Expenses rise 127.8% to $25.37 million and guarantee an operating loss of $5.22 million. Net loss is cut slightly, down to $3.45 million.
The Dash 8s are retired in 1992 along with two Beech 1300s. Significant bad luck is encountered in the form of problems with the Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6A-65B engines of its Beech 1900Cs, losses in the California market, and a strike by USAir maintenance workers that directly costs the commuter $300,000 in lost revenues.
Customer bookings climb 7% to 339,888 and revenues ascend 16.3% to $23.4 million. Still, expenses are higher and lead to an operating loss of $1.7 million and net loss of $3.7 million.
Never having earned a profit since start-up, the carrier is forced to enter Chapter XI bankruptcy in December. The filing shows the airline with assets of $42.8 million, $270,000 in available cash, and $45.7 million in liabilities. USAir, at $688,000 the regional’s largest creditor, informs the company that it will terminate its “USAir Express” affiliation within 180 days.
In 1993, Chairman/President Rudy R. Miller oversees a workforce of 350 and operates a fleet of 11 Beech 1900s and 2 Beech 1300s. As the bankrupt Arizona-based airline struggles to hold its “USAir Express” affiliation, it receives word that it has been awarded a 1-year, $1.8-million U. S. General Services Administration contract covering air and rail passenger service to 8 California cities. In March, the bankruptcy court approves a restructuring of the aircraft-financing arrangement the company holds with Beech Acceptance Corp.
Destinations visited from the Phoenix base now include Bakersfield, Burbank, Fresno, Lake Havasu, Laughlin/Bullhead City, Los Angeles, Monterey, Orange County, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Stockton, and Tucson.
During the summer, negotiations are held, unsuccessfully, with Northwest Airlines and Continental Airlines as StatesWest seeks a new code-sharing partnership to replace the USAir affiliation that will end on January 15 next. The company is unable to attract one of these two majors, or to hang on financially; it ceases operations at midnight on October 8.
Prior to its failure, a total of 149,962 passengers are boarded, a 55.8% decline on the year.
World History
