Tag Archives: Via Airlines

Sterling Airways acquires its Part 121 AOC, formerly Via Air

Sterling Airways (Jacksonville, FL), formerly Via Airlines, has made this announcement:

Sterling Airways, a Wexford Capital LP portfolio company, is pleased to announce that it has received its Part 121 certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and authorization to resume scheduled passenger service from the Department of Transportation (DOT).

The new airline, currently based in Jacksonville, Florida, is led by Chief Executive Officer Wayne Heller, former Chief Operating Officer of Republic Airways, along with several former members of Heller’s management team that led Republic’s initial growth of 24 to 30 airplanes a year.

“While Sterling has been certified as an ERJ 145 operator, we’re very much a blank canvas that can move quickly to meet the needs of potential partners and markets crippled in the wake of COVID-19”, said Heller.

Sterling’s platform is designed to be the most flexible in the industry, allowing for additional aircraft types to be added to its certificate and operations that can be based anywhere in the U.S. For communities affected by the pandemic this presents an option to quickly restore air service.

“Although the pandemic has challenged the airline industry, we believe that quality air services will continue to be highly desired and vital for the transportation of people and goods throughout the U.S.,” said Heller. “With a cost structure second to none, we aspire to set a new standard in aviation by delivering a culture rich in safety, customer service and professionalism to our passengers, partners and associates.”

Wexford Capital LP previously announced that it and certain affiliates received bankruptcy court approval to reorganize and acquire Via Airlines, Inc., a FAA Part 121 regional airline based in Maitland, FL. The transaction allowed Via, which was rebranded as Sterling Airways, to restart domestic operations, once approved by the DOT and recertified by the FAA.

Wexford Capital acquires Via Airlines, will be rebranded

Wexford Capital has made this announcement:

Wexford Capital LP announced that it and certain affiliates received bankruptcy court approval to reorganize and acquire Via Airlines, Inc., a FAA Part 121 regional airline based in Maitland, FL. This transaction allows Via, which will be rebranded, to restart domestic operations, once approved by the DOT and recertified by the FAA. The new airline will be supported by a highly experienced management team.

The reorganized company intends to provide regional air services in strategic markets that have been crippled in the wake of COVID-19. The Company’s new management team will be led by former COO of Republic Airways, Wayne Heller who will serve as the Company’s CEO.

“We are evaluating initial launch markets and strategic partnerships, including, but not limited to, the Southeast, Midwest and Alaskan markets,” said Heller. “Although the Pandemic has decimated and challenged the airline industry today, we believe that a quality regional air services provider will continue to be highly desired and vital for the transportation of people and goods throughout the U.S for the foreseeable future, and we intend to be part of that solution”, Heller went on to say.

“We are excited to reenter the regional airline space. Leveraging our decades of experience investing in the airline industry, we are excited about the opportunity to create the next best-in-class regional airline,” added Arthur Amron, a Partner of Wexford.

Wexford has a long track record of investing in the airline industry, such as founding and driving the transformation of Republic Airways into a regional airline with over 200+ modern regional jets.

Via Airlines on October 8, 2019 announced it was filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and ceased all operations.

Via Air aircraft photo gallery:

Via Air aircraft slide show:

https://airlinersgallery.smugmug.com/frame/slideshow?key=cSFm7g&speed=3&transition=fade&autoStart=1&captions=0&navigation=0&playButton=0&randomize=0&transitionSpeed=2

Via Airlines files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Via Airlines (Orlando) filed for Chapter 11 reorganization on October 8 according to the Orlando Business Journal.

The previously scheduled carrier had reverted to a charter airline.

Via Airlines announces a new round of expansion

Via Airlines has announced nonstop service to two new destinations from Memphis, Tenn., making Memphis International Airport (MEM) a key part of their ongoing expansion efforts throughout the mid-west and the northeastern U.S. The new destinations include nonstop service to Pittsburgh, Pa., and Austin, Texas, with the first flight taking off from Memphis June 25, 2019.

The new nonstop flights in and out of Memphis will operate four times each week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays through the Memphis International Airport (MEM) on ViaAirlines’ 50-seat Embraer ERJ 145 jets.

Via Airlines also announced nonstop service from Raleigh, N.C. to Birmingham, Ala., making Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) a key part of their ongoing expansion efforts throughout the southeastern U.S. The first flight on this new nonstop route between Raleigh and Birmingham, Ala., takes off April 11, 2019.

The new nonstop flight in and out of Raleigh/Durham will operate four times each week on Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays through the Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) on Via Airlines’ 50-seat Embraer ERJ 145 jet.

Finally Via Airlines announced nonstop service to four new destinations from Pittsburgh, Pa., making Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) key to their ongoing expansion efforts throughout the northeast. The new destinations include nonstop service to Birmingham, Ala.; Memphis, Tenn. and Hartford, Conn., with through service to Austin, Texas, from Memphis. The first flight from Pittsburgh takes off in April with other routes flying in June and July of 2019.

Now serving a total of 19 cities across the U.S., these route announcements are part of the established carrier’s largest expansion to date. Three new focus cities were announced at the same time as Memphis and Pittsburgh, including Hartford, Conn., Birmingham, Ala. and Raleigh, N.C.

Top Copyright Photo: Via Air (Via Airlines) Embraer ERJ 145LR (EMB-145LR) N841HK (msn 145382) CLT (Jay Selman). Image: 403273.

Via Air aircraft slide show:

Route Map:

Via Airlines adds nonstop service from Sanford to Columbia and Tallahassee

Via Airlines has announced further expansion of its network with new nonstop service between its headquarters at the Orlando-Sanford International Airport and the cities of Columbia, SC, and Tallahassee, FL.

These new cities are in addition to Via Airlines’ current service from the Orlando-Sanford International Airport to Baton Rouge, LA, Charlotte, NC, Jackson, MS, Mobile, AL, and Montgomery, AL.

Service to/from Columbia commences on December 3, 2018, and will operate every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; Service to/from Tallahassee commences on December 3, 2018, and will operate every Monday and Friday.

Photo Via Air.

ViaAir to offer seasonal flights between Charlotte and St. Augustine, Florida

ViaAir (Orlando) has announced it will offer seasonal flights between Charlotte and St. Augustine, Florida starting on December 19 and operating through January 20, 2015 with 30-seat Embraer EMB-120 Brasilias. The company on December 3 launched regular flights from Beckley, West Virginia to Charlotte.

The company describes its activities:

ViaAir LLC is an indirect Air Carrier operating under DOT Regulation 14 CFR 380 together with its subsidiary, Via Airlines , as the Direct Air Carrier on 30 passenger Embraer EMB-120.

Via Airlines as the Direct Air Carrier has been providing Air transportation service for over 15 years operating 30 passenger EMB-120. We are proud to have been providing such service with excellent dispatch rate of over 98%, excellent safety record and client oriented service and support.

In ViaAir, we still believe that Air Service is a service and not just means of transportation. Our experienced team understands that client satisfaction and community support are critical to the creation of a successful flight operation. We pride ourselves at being more than just transportation; as such we always go above and beyond as proven in our excellent client
satisfaction rate.

Via Airlines was founded in 1997 and has grown to become a prominent Air Carrier operating 30 passenger planes while maintaining an excellent safety record and an excellent dispatch rates The company has earned an ARG/US Gold rating and continuously strives and maintains best-in-class safety, quality and customer satisfaction.

The EMB-120 is ideal for the commuter air service requirements. As an airplane that was built to meet the more demanding requirements of FAR-25 it is safe, reliable and fast. Operated by over 27 operators worldwide and over 5 million flight hours, it has great positive past record.

Top Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. ViaAir’s Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia N653CT (msn 120243) arrives at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

Bottom Photo: ViaAir.