EAF CHARTER: United States (1967-1988). Executive Air Fleet is established at Teterboro, New Jersey, in 1967 as an aircraft leasing concern. Late in the year, it is decided to undertake executive passenger charters and contract service flights with a division named EAF Charter.
Over the next decade, the company workforce exceeds 175 in number and the fleet is made up of business jets and executive turboprops, such as Dassault Falcons, Learjets, Fairchild-Swearingen Merlins, and Beech Super King Airs. Operations continue.
By 1988, the company is the largest aircraft management and charter company in the U. S. That year, it is taken over by the expanding Swiss-based Jet Aviation Group.
EAGLE AIR (1): United States (1976-1980). Eagle Air is established at Sitka, Alaska, in 1976 to provide scheduled passenger and cargo flights to Angoon, Baranof, Hoonah, Tenakee, and various bush destinations. Revenue flights commence with de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beavers, Cessna 185s, and a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo.
The energy crisis forces the company out of business in 1979.
EAGLE AIR (2): United States (1993-1995). The FAAPart 121 operating certificate of Viking International Airways is purchased by Gene H. Yamagata, CEO of Yamagata Holdings, in December 1992.
In early 1993, the carrier is renamed Eagle Air, doing business as Viking International Airlines and inaugurates charter passenger operations from its Minneapolis (MSP) base with its fleet of 2 Convair CV-600s, 2 CV-640s, and 1 Douglas DC-9-14. Formerly operated by Delta Air Lines, a DC-9-32 is acquired, as VIA completes its upgrade from a public charter company to a fully certified supplemental airline.
A total of 47,686 passengers are flown and revenues total $2.9 million. Expenses are high and losses are suffered: $1.29 million (operating) and $1.64 million (net).
In 1994, Chairman Yamagata oversees a workforce of 90 and expands his fleet by the addition of one leased McDonnell Douglas MD-87. The previously leased DC-9-32 is returned to its lessor.
Passenger boardings jump to 115,000, but freight traffic declines by 35.7% to 210 million FTKs. Revenues skyrocket a remarkable 354.1% to $13.18 million, but expenses leap 328.2% to $17.97 million. The resulting operating loss is $4.78 million and the net downturn reaches $4.74 million.
The MD-87 is returned in 1995 and replaced by another chartered DC-9-14. A continuing decline in financial fortune forces the company to file for Chapter XI bankruptcy by spring.
Through April, 37,000 passengers are carried.
The carrier disposes of its large jets and is reformed into Eagle Canyon Airlines.
EAGLE AIR ARNARFLUG, H. F.: Iceland (1976-1994). A group of former employees from the bankrupt charter airline Air Viking form Eagle Air at Teykjavik on April 10,1976. Viljalmur Jonsson is appointed president with Magnus Gunnarsson as managing director. Passenger and cargo charters with a Boeing 720 begin between Keflavik and Malaga on June 5.
Airline employment over the next two years grows to 50 and by late 1978 the fleet has grown by two B-720-047Bs.
Charter and contract service flights are maintained to resort areas in the Mediterranean and Southern Europe until September 1979 when the government approves the application to add scheduled domestic services to 11 points as well. These begin on September 14 and within months serve markets at Bildudalur, Blonduos, Flateyri, Gjogur, Grun-darfjordur, Holmavik, Reykholar, Reykjavik, Rif, Siglufjordur, Stykk-isholmur, and Sudureyri.
In 1980, a de Havilland Canada DHC-6-100 Twin Otter, a Cessna 402, and a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain join the fleet. In November 1981, the carrier is granted permission to inaugurate international scheduled service.
Over the next three years, flights are initiated to Amsterdam, Dussel-dorf, and Zurich. Managing Director Gudmumdun Haukssom’s fleet is altered to comprise two B-707-320s and a B-737-205C in addition to the commuter equipment.
The 707s are replaced in 1987 by a second B-737-205C. Another Cessna 402 and a second Twin Otter are obtained for the local network.
Haukssom is succeeded as managing director by Agnar Fridrinsson in 1988. The 80-employee fleet remains unchanged.
Passenger boardings, however, increase 43.5% to 51,806 and freight traffic is up by a staggering 150% to 7.21 million FTKs.
The workforce is increased by 25% in 1989 to 100 and the fleet now includes 1 B-737-205C, 2 Cessna 402s, and 1 each Twin Otter and Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain.
Customer bookings fall by 6.2% to 65,973 and freight plunges 63.4% to 2.53 million FTKs.
The world economic downturn late in the decade has a negative impact on the carrier’s traffic and finances and it must stop flying in October 1990.
Operations resume from Reykjavik Airport in 1993. Hordur Einars-son is managing director and his fleet includes 2 Cessna 402s, 1 de Havilland Canada DHC-6-300, and 1 Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain. The company again shuts down in 1994, this time for good.
EAGLE AIR SERVICES, LTD.: Box 838, Castries, St. Lucia, British West Indies; Phone (758) 452-1900; Fax (758) 452-9683; Http://www. eagleairslu. com; Year Founded 1970. EAS is established at Vigie in 1970 to offer executive and small group passenger charters throughout the West Indies. Operations begin with a single Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander.
World History
