Trans-Colorado Airlines
Encyclopedia
Trans-Colorado Airlines, based in Colorado Springs
, Colorado
, United States
operated from August 1980 until July 1988. The airline operated flights for Continental Airlines
under the Continental Express
banner beginning in 1986.
. It served and was based in Gunnison, CO, with scheduled flights to and from Stapleton International Airport
in Denver.
The company inaugurated service to Montrose, CO in May 1981 and acquired a second aircraft, a Metro III, in November 1981. On February 1, 1982, the airline acquired its second Metro III and, 1 month later, inaugurated service to Cortez, CO.
On May 11, 1982, the company changed its name to Trans-Colorado Airlines, Inc.
In 1983, the company began service to Durango, CO and Albuquerque, NM, on June 15 and December 16, respectively. A third Metro III was acquired on May 2, 1983.
In 1984, Trans-Colorado began service to Colorado Springs, where it eventually moved its corporate headquarters and performed all maintenance activities.
At the end of 1984, the company operated on Metro II and four Metro III aircraft. One year later, the company operated one Metro II and five Metro III airplanes.
carrier, serving Continental Airlines
flights at Denver. Under the terms of the agreement, Trans-Colorado flights were listed under the CO designation in airlines' computer reservation systems. In addition, Continental provided Trans-Colorado with ticketing, baggage handling and passenger boarding at Denver and Colorado Springs and with all passenger reservations through its own reservation system. Trans-Colorado was responsible for all aspects of the operations and all maintenance on the airplanes.
Trans-Colorado revised its schedule to provide feed to Continental at Denver, Colorado Springs and, as planned, eventually at Albuquerque.
Trans-Colorado records indicate that its load factor increased as a result of the arrangement, from 36.6% during the first 6 months of 1986, to 55.6% in August of the same year.
, a regional operator considerably larger than Trans-Colorado, and was also based at Denver Stapleton. On May 13, 1987, Trans-Colorado entered into an agreement with Rocky Mountain Airways to provide it with flights under the Continental Express designation.
Under the terms of the contract, which was in effect through February 28, 1988, Trans-Colorado provided Rocky Mountain with airplanes and crews for $400/block hour for flights operated from May 15, 1987 through December 31, 1987, and $357/block hour for flights operated from December 31, 1987 through February 28, 1988. A minimum of 245 block hours per aircraft per month was guaranteed, averaged over the period of the contract. In addition, Rocky Mountain paid Trans-Colorado a fee for its aircraft that were not leased and for aircraft that were not flown due to weather, air traffic control, and related factors. Rocky Mountain provided the flight schedules, ground handling, and support services for the flights. Flights were to be operated in accordance with Trans-Colorado policies and procedures. The contract specified that Trans-Colorado could not be sold or control of the voting stock transferred without the approval of Rocky Mountain. However, the contract stated that "Continental's withholding of consent will not be unreasonable...”
On December 3, 1987, Trans-Colorado's chief executive, William Mueller, wrote employees that "We have begun working on our long term restructure plan, which deals with both creditors and revenue sources. Please hang in with us, as great strides have been taken the last few weeks to stabilize the Company, but we still have a lot of work to do."
After the contract with Rocky Mountain expired, Trans-Colorado then moved its operations and maintenance facilities to Houston, TX, in anticipation of a contract to operate as a feeder to Continental Airlines though another wholly owned Continental subsidiary, Britt Airways
.
For several months, Trans-Colorado operated flights for Britt; however, no long-term contract materialized. In April 1988, Trans-Colorado filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection from its creditors. In July 1988, it ceased operations and voluntarily surrendered its operating certificate to the FAA. According to Trans-Colorado, the ending of operations were "as a direct result of economic hardship imposed by Continental Airlines (Britt Airways, Continental Express) when the prematurely terminated our contract with them."
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Colorado Springs is located in South-Central Colorado, in the southern portion of the state. It is situated on Fountain Creek and is located south of the Colorado...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
operated from August 1980 until July 1988. The airline operated flights for Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines was a major American airline now merged with United Airlines. On May 3, 2010, Continental Airlines, Inc. and UAL, Inc. announced a merger via a stock swap, and on October 1, 2010, the merger closed and UAL changed its name to United Continental Holdings, Inc...
under the Continental Express
Continental Express
Continental Express is the operating brand name used by a number of independently owned regional airlines providing regional jet feeder service under agreement with Continental Airlines...
banner beginning in 1986.
Early history
Trans-Colorado Airlines was incorporated on August 25, 1980, as Commuter Airlines of Colorado. Operations began on December 23, 1980 with one Swearingen Metro IIFairchild Swearingen Metroliner
The Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner or the Fairchild Aerospace Metro is a 19-seat, pressurised, twin turboprop airliner first produced by Swearingen Aircraft and later by Fairchild at a plant in San Antonio, Texas, United States....
. It served and was based in Gunnison, CO, with scheduled flights to and from Stapleton International Airport
Stapleton International Airport
Stapleton International Airport was Denver, Colorado's primary airport from 1929 to 1995. At different times it served as a hub for TWA, People Express, Frontier Airlines and Western Airlines as well as a hub for Continental Airlines and United Airlines at the time of its closure.In 1995 Stapleton...
in Denver.
The company inaugurated service to Montrose, CO in May 1981 and acquired a second aircraft, a Metro III, in November 1981. On February 1, 1982, the airline acquired its second Metro III and, 1 month later, inaugurated service to Cortez, CO.
On May 11, 1982, the company changed its name to Trans-Colorado Airlines, Inc.
In 1983, the company began service to Durango, CO and Albuquerque, NM, on June 15 and December 16, respectively. A third Metro III was acquired on May 2, 1983.
In 1984, Trans-Colorado began service to Colorado Springs, where it eventually moved its corporate headquarters and performed all maintenance activities.
At the end of 1984, the company operated on Metro II and four Metro III aircraft. One year later, the company operated one Metro II and five Metro III airplanes.
Continental Express Carrier
On July 15, 1986, Trans-Colorado became a Continental ExpressContinental Express
Continental Express is the operating brand name used by a number of independently owned regional airlines providing regional jet feeder service under agreement with Continental Airlines...
carrier, serving Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines was a major American airline now merged with United Airlines. On May 3, 2010, Continental Airlines, Inc. and UAL, Inc. announced a merger via a stock swap, and on October 1, 2010, the merger closed and UAL changed its name to United Continental Holdings, Inc...
flights at Denver. Under the terms of the agreement, Trans-Colorado flights were listed under the CO designation in airlines' computer reservation systems. In addition, Continental provided Trans-Colorado with ticketing, baggage handling and passenger boarding at Denver and Colorado Springs and with all passenger reservations through its own reservation system. Trans-Colorado was responsible for all aspects of the operations and all maintenance on the airplanes.
Trans-Colorado revised its schedule to provide feed to Continental at Denver, Colorado Springs and, as planned, eventually at Albuquerque.
Trans-Colorado records indicate that its load factor increased as a result of the arrangement, from 36.6% during the first 6 months of 1986, to 55.6% in August of the same year.
Agreement with Rocky Mountain Airways
Continental Airlines later purchased Rocky Mountain AirwaysRocky Mountain Airways
Rocky Mountain Airways was an American commuter airline headquartered in Hangar No. 6 of Stapleton International Airport in Denver, Colorado. It was sold to Texas Air Corporation/Continental Airlines in 1986....
, a regional operator considerably larger than Trans-Colorado, and was also based at Denver Stapleton. On May 13, 1987, Trans-Colorado entered into an agreement with Rocky Mountain Airways to provide it with flights under the Continental Express designation.
Under the terms of the contract, which was in effect through February 28, 1988, Trans-Colorado provided Rocky Mountain with airplanes and crews for $400/block hour for flights operated from May 15, 1987 through December 31, 1987, and $357/block hour for flights operated from December 31, 1987 through February 28, 1988. A minimum of 245 block hours per aircraft per month was guaranteed, averaged over the period of the contract. In addition, Rocky Mountain paid Trans-Colorado a fee for its aircraft that were not leased and for aircraft that were not flown due to weather, air traffic control, and related factors. Rocky Mountain provided the flight schedules, ground handling, and support services for the flights. Flights were to be operated in accordance with Trans-Colorado policies and procedures. The contract specified that Trans-Colorado could not be sold or control of the voting stock transferred without the approval of Rocky Mountain. However, the contract stated that "Continental's withholding of consent will not be unreasonable...”
Financial Troubles
In the early summer of 1987, Trans-Colorado began to experience serious financial difficulties. In a September 30 letter to a financial organization, a company official stated that "...the only cash that is paid out will be only that which is essential to fulfilling the requirements of the Continental contracts."On December 3, 1987, Trans-Colorado's chief executive, William Mueller, wrote employees that "We have begun working on our long term restructure plan, which deals with both creditors and revenue sources. Please hang in with us, as great strides have been taken the last few weeks to stabilize the Company, but we still have a lot of work to do."
After the contract with Rocky Mountain expired, Trans-Colorado then moved its operations and maintenance facilities to Houston, TX, in anticipation of a contract to operate as a feeder to Continental Airlines though another wholly owned Continental subsidiary, Britt Airways
Britt Airways
Britt Airways was a United States commuter airline based in Terre Haute, Indiana.In 1985, the founder and owner of Britt Airways, Bill Britt, sold the airline to People Express. Frank Lorenzo's holding company, Texas Air Corporation, acquired People Express, following Texas Air's acquisition of...
.
For several months, Trans-Colorado operated flights for Britt; however, no long-term contract materialized. In April 1988, Trans-Colorado filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection from its creditors. In July 1988, it ceased operations and voluntarily surrendered its operating certificate to the FAA. According to Trans-Colorado, the ending of operations were "as a direct result of economic hardship imposed by Continental Airlines (Britt Airways, Continental Express) when the prematurely terminated our contract with them."
Cities Served
- Cortez, CO (Cortez Municipal AirportCortez Municipal AirportCortez Municipal Airport is a public airport located three miles southwest of the central business district of Cortez, a city in Montezuma County, Colorado, USA. The airport covers and has one runway. It is mostly used for general aviation, but is also served by one commercial airline...
) - Denver, CO (Hub) (Stapleton International AirportStapleton International AirportStapleton International Airport was Denver, Colorado's primary airport from 1929 to 1995. At different times it served as a hub for TWA, People Express, Frontier Airlines and Western Airlines as well as a hub for Continental Airlines and United Airlines at the time of its closure.In 1995 Stapleton...
) - Durango, CO (Durango-La Plata County AirportDurango-La Plata County AirportDurango-La Plata County Airport is a public airport located 10 miles southeast of the central business district of Durango, a city in La Plata County, Colorado, USA. The airport covers and has one runway.- Airlines and destinations :...
) - Gunnison, CO/Crested ButteCrested Butte, ColoradoCrested Butte is a Home Rule Municipality in Gunnison County, Colorado, United States. A former coal mining town now called "the last great Colorado ski town," Crested Butte is a destination for skiing, mountain biking, and a variety of other outdoor activities...
(Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional AirportGunnison-Crested Butte Regional AirportGunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport , also known as Gunnison County Airport, is a public airport located at the southern edge of Gunnison, Colorado...
) - Montrose, CO (Montrose Regional AirportMontrose Regional AirportMontrose Regional Airport is a non-towered public airport located at the northwest edge of Montrose in the zip code of 81401 and in the southwest corner of the U.S. state of Colorado...
) - Riverton, WY (Riverton Regional AirportRiverton Regional AirportRiverton Regional Airport is a public airport located three miles northwest of the central business district of Riverton, a city in Fremont County, Wyoming, USA. The airport covers and has two runways...
) - Rock Springs, WY (Sweetwater County AirportRock Springs - Sweetwater County AirportRock Springs-Sweetwater County Airport is a public airport located seven miles east of the central business district of Rock Springs, a city in Sweetwater County, Wyoming, USA. The airport covers and has two runways, 9/27 and 3/21...
) - Albuquerque, NM (Albuquerque International SunportAlbuquerque International SunportAlbuquerque International Sunport is a public airport located 3 miles southeast of the central business district of Albuquerque, a city in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States. It is the largest commercial airport in the state, handling 5,888,811 passengers in 2009...
)
Incidents
- Trans-Colorado Airlines Flight 2286: A Fairchild Metroliner IIIFairchild Swearingen MetrolinerThe Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner or the Fairchild Aerospace Metro is a 19-seat, pressurised, twin turboprop airliner first produced by Swearingen Aircraft and later by Fairchild at a plant in San Antonio, Texas, United States....
crashed near Bayfield, ColoradoBayfield, ColoradoBayfield is a Statutory Town in La Plata County, Colorado, United States. The population was 1,549 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Bayfield is located at , along U.S...
on approach to Durango on January 19, 1988, operated under the Continental ExpressContinental ExpressContinental Express is the operating brand name used by a number of independently owned regional airlines providing regional jet feeder service under agreement with Continental Airlines...
brand. Both crew members and 7 of 15 passengers died. Of the surviving passengers one received major injuries and 6 received minor injuries, and 1 received no injuries.