Washington Airlines is a defunct airline that was based in the United States[1] The service was the FAA's first approved instance of a STOL airline service.[2]
| Founded | 1968 |
|---|---|
| Ceased operations | 26 September 1969 |
| Destinations | Baltimore, Washington |
| Key people | Robert Richardson |
History
editWashington Airlines was founded to operate under a concept that STOL operations could enhance airport capacity without significant infrastructure costs. In 1968 Albert Scott Crossfield demonstrated the concept flying 160 operations between Boston, La Guardia and Washington National for Eastern Airlines.[3] There was worldwide interest in the concept of STOL operations within cities with limited land for expansion.[4] New York had $126 million planned for construction of STOL runways in 1970.[5]
The company was founded by Butler Aviation International and Pan Maryland Airways. Butler had franchise rights to sell Dornier Do 28 aircraft in America, and chose the aircraft for their STOL service.[6][7] After five months in service between BWI, DCA and IAD the company was losing money with load factors of 20% and a total net loss of $100,000.[8][9] Washington Airlines ceased operations on 26 September 1969[10]
Destinations
editFleet
editThe fleet consisted of the following aircraft as of 1969:
| Aircraft | Total | Routes | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dornier Do 28 | 10 | KDCA, KBWI, KIAD |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Robert A. Richardson American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Technical Information Service. Washington Airlines: The Short Haul (STOL) Experiment.
- ^ Traffic Service Corporation (1968). Transportation and Distribution Management, Volume 8.
- ^ David Lee Russell. Eastern Air Lines: A History, 1926-1991. p. 140.
- ^ Jacob Meunier. On the Fast Track: French Railway Modernization and the Origins of the TGV. p. 149.
- ^ Royal Aeronautical Society. The Future of aeronautics.
- ^ United States Congress. Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of Congress, Volume 114, Part 21. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1968.
- ^ Flying Magazine: 112. October 1967.
{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ American Aviation, Volume 32. Ziff-Davis Publishing, 1969.
- ^ National Aeronautics and Space Administration American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (1969). Astronautics and Aeronautics United States.
- ^ Nick Komos (August 1989). Air Progress: 82.
{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty|title=(help)
External links
edit
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