Long Lost Airlines: Independence Air
May 7, 2008 by Airline Blogger
(A lot from wiki)
Independence Air (owned by Flyi, Inc.) was a low cost airline based in Dulles, Loudoun County, Virgina, USA (greater Washington DC Area).
Facts -
- Started on - December 15th 1989
- Start - It started as Atlantic Coast Airlines operating as feeder service for United Express for United Airlines and Delta Connection for Delta Air Lines.
- As Independence Air - After failure to renew contract with United, they reinvented themselves to Independence Air (announced on November 19 2003 and began service - June 16 2004)
- Hubs - Dulles International Airport
- Fleet - CRJ Regional Jets (50 seats), Airbus A319
- Destinations - 37 destinations (200 daily departures)
- Shutdown Date - January 5th 2006 (announced on January 2 2006)
- Great Promotions - GLiDE Summer Travel Pass for college students ($250 + taxes, etc) for unlimited flying between May1 - Aug31 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Early Problems -
- Poor fleet mix
- Expanded too quickly
- Financial Troubles early on
- Flying far below capacity
The End
- February 2005 - One aircraft repossessed due to Missed lease payment
- January 2006 - No buyer found, hence cessation of service
Tribute Videos
One with the last flight and interviews of employees -
Another tribute video (my favorite one) -
Couple of things that I think Independence Air started -
- Really low fares out of Washington DC (I remember billboards with those ridiculously low fares)
- Adding Humor to flying experience - Funny Safety Videos, etc.
