Comair is an American regional airline that was founded in 1977. The airline is based in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines. Comair operates around 1,500 flights per day to over 100 cities in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
History
Comair was founded in 1977 as a regional air carrier operating out of Cincinnati, Ohio. The airline was initially owned by the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and operated a single aircraft, a Cessna 402. The airline's first scheduled flight was between Cincinnati and South Bend, Indiana, on August 23, 1977.
In 1983, Comair began expanding its fleet and routes, adding service to other cities in the Midwest, such as Detroit, Milwaukee, and Chicago. In 1989, the airline began operating international flights to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The following year, Comair was purchased by Delta Air Lines, giving the airline access to Delta's larger network.
Fleet
Comair's fleet is comprised of a mix of regional jets and turboprop aircraft. The airline operates a total of 120 aircraft, including Bombardier CRJ-900, CRJ-700, and Embraer E-175 regional jets, as well as Bombardier Dash 8 turboprop aircraft.
Important Milestones
1. In 1983, Comair began expanding its fleet and routes, adding service to other cities in the Midwest, such as Detroit, Milwaukee, and Chicago.
2. In 1989, the airline began operating international flights to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
3. In 1990, Comair was purchased by Delta Air Lines, giving the airline access to Delta's larger network.
4. In 2004, Comair became the first regional airline to join the SkyTeam alliance.
5. In 2006, Comair began operating its first international route, a daily flight from Cincinnati to Cancun, Mexico.
Evolution
Since its founding in 1977, Comair has grown from a single aircraft carrier to one of the largest regional airlines in the United States. The airline has steadily added new aircraft to its fleet and expanded its route network to include destinations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Comair has also joined the SkyTeam alliance, giving it access to a larger network of international destinations.
Incidents
In 2005, Comair Flight 5191 crashed shortly after takeoff from Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49 of the 50 people onboard. The crash was caused by pilot error, as the pilots attempted to take off on a runway that was too short. The crash resulted in a federal investigation and the implementation of several safety measures to reduce the risk of similar incidents in the future.
In 2010, Comair was the subject of a federal investigation due to an alleged conspiracy to defraud the federal government of millions of dollars in taxes. The airline was accused of deliberately misclassifying its employees as independent contractors to avoid paying taxes. The case was ultimately settled out of court.
Conclusion
Since its founding in 1977, Comair has grown from a single aircraft carrier to one of the largest regional airlines in the United States. The airline has steadily added new aircraft to its fleet and expanded its route network to include destinations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Comair has also been involved in several incidents, including an air crash in 2005 and a federal investigation in 2010. Despite these incidents, Comair remains a major player in the regional airline industry.
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