Songbird Airways
| Songbird Airways | |
|---|---|
|
|
| IATA code : | SK |
| ICAO code : | SGB |
| Call sign : | SONGBIRD |
| Founding: | 1990 |
| Operation stopped: | 2017 |
| Seat: |
Orlando , United States
|
| Home airport : | Miami International Airport |
| Management: |
|
| Fleet size: | 1 |
| Aims: | 7th |
| Website: | www.songbirdairways.com |
| Songbird Airways ceased operations in 2017. The information in italics refer to the last status before the end of operation. | |
Songbird Airways (formerly Sky King Inc.) was an American charter airline based in Orlando , Florida. Sky King was founded in July 1990 to fly for the Sacramento Kings ( NBA ). Sky King operated flights from Florida to Cuba on behalf of Customer Service Providers (CSPs). Sky King also flew deportees to undisclosed locations on behalf of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In the past, the airline has provided charter services to sports teams and businesses using Boeing 737 aircraft in various seat configurations. On March 9, 2010, Sky King filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 bankruptcy law after the airline was no longer able to settle claims from one of its largest creditors, fuel supplier Mercury Air Group. In 2012, Sky King again filed for bankruptcy.
After confirmation by the United States Bankruptcy Court of the Trustee's Plan of Reorganization, Sky King was able to withdraw from bankruptcy under Chapter 11 of American bankruptcy law on October 3, 2014. Sky King was acquired by Aerline Holdings LLC on October 24, 2014. After the US Department of Transportation found the airline “fit, willing and able”, operations with up to ten aircraft were resumed on December 22, 2014.
history
The airline began operations in July 1990 as a privately held company flying for the Sacramento Kings ( NBA ).
The company originally served the Kansas City Kings in a BAC 1-11 under FAR-125. In 2002, Sky King received FAR-121 certification, while 98% of the flights were for hockey teams. After a series of events in 2005 such as the NHL lockout , the destruction by Hurricane Katrina, and the soaring prices of kerosene, Sky King was forced to look for alternative ways to run their business. This led to the introduction of the ACMI (Aircraft Crew Maintenance and Insurance) model and partnerships for Gold Transport were made. Today Sky King is one of the leading passenger charter airlines offering ACMI services nationally and internationally.
In March 2010, Sky King filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 bankruptcy law. The airline was able to withdraw from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 2011. After a successful reorganization in June 2010, the airline moved its headquarters from Sacramento, California to Lakeland, Florida. With the move to Lakeland, Sky King was able to reduce maintenance costs by eliminating the transfer flights and focus more on the expansion of the market on the east coast. In October 2010, Sky King was bought by Aviation Capital Partners Group and shifted its focus away from private clients to regular services. At the end of 2010, Sky King had more than 270 employees.
In late August 2012, Sky King returned three aircraft back to their owner AerSale in Roswell, New Mexico. At the same time, Sky King again filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, firing over 20 pilots, 30 flight attendants and other staff.
In December 2013, Sky King had to take leave of almost half of the employees in all departments and returned an aircraft to the leasing company. As of December 31, 2013, Sky King had two aircraft in its fleet, one of which had been out of service for several months due to a defective engine. Also, in December, the New Jersey Department of Gambling (DGE) revealed that Sky King still owes New Jersey $ 23,424.26 in 2009 taxes. Thus, further flight charter business with the Atlantic City casinos was banned.
After confirmation by the United States Bankruptcy Court of the Trustee's Plan of Reorganization, Sky King was able to withdraw from bankruptcy under Chapter 11 of American bankruptcy law on October 3, 2014. Sky King was acquired by Aerline Holdings LLC on October 24, 2014. After the US Department of Transportation found the airline “fit, willing and able”, operations with up to ten aircraft were resumed on December 22, 2014.
In June 2015 the company name was changed to Songbird Airways . Songbird ceased operations in February 2017.
Direct Air
Sky King operated a single aircraft for Direct Air from March 2007 to May 2007. In early 2011, Sky King reunited with Direct Air and operated two aircraft for the company. Depending on the season, the flights alternated between Palm Beach (summer), Myrtle Beach (winter), Punta Gorda (autumn) and Lakeland (all year round). Direct Air abruptly ceased operations on March 13, 2012.
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Cuban charter service
Sky King provided charter aircraft for numerous travel agencies with flights to Cuba . Flights to Cuba were from Miami and Tampa . Most of the flights to Cuba had Cienfuegos, Havana, Camaguey, Holguin and Santiago de Cuba as destinations.
Fly Guam service
In spring 2011, Sky King agreed to offer ACMI services to a start-up company in Guam. The company, known as Fly Guam, operates a single Boeing 737-400 . The company originally operated flights from Guam to Saipan and then to Hong Kong. In the coming months, the company opened routes to Nagoya, Japan and Koror, Palau. In November 2011, the parent company Aviation Capital Partners Group acquired 51% of the shares. Fly Guam ceased operations in late 2011.
fleet
As of June 2015, Songbird Airways has no aircraft.
Historic fleet
In the past, Songbird Airways owned the following types of aircraft:
See also
Web links
- The song Bird Airways website (English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Bob Shallit: Ex-Kings owner Lukenbill files Chapter 11 for aircraft business . In: The Sacramento Bee , March 27, 2010. Archived from the original on March 28, 2010 Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. . Retrieved March 29, 2010.
- ↑ Sky King Airlines files for bankruptcy, Herald-Tribune, September 20, 2012.
- ↑ United States Bankruptcy Court, Order of Confirmation, Sky King, Inc., October 3, 2014
- ↑ Florida Charter Specialist, Sky King, Eyes Relaunch . CH Aviation. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
- ^ DOT Final Order of Fitness, Sky King, Inc., December 22, 2014
- ↑ Letter Order revoking Vendor Registration . In: New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement . Retrieved April 3, 2014.
- ↑ United States Bankruptcy Court, Order of Confirmation, Sky King, Inc., October 3, 2014
- ↑ Florida Charter Specialist, Sky King, Eyes Relaunch . CH Aviation. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
- ^ DOT Final Order of Fitness, Sky King, Inc., December 22, 2014
- ↑ Sky King changes name to Songbird Airways . Swiss Aviation. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
- ↑ no Titwl. In: rzjets.net. Retrieved June 25, 2020 .
- ↑ no title. In: ch-aviation.com. Retrieved June 25, 2020 .
- ↑ Sky King fleet details , accessed June 7, 2015
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