Taos Air is a regional airline that has been providing air transportation to passengers since the late 1970s. The airline was founded by brothers Bob and Carl Keller in Taos, New Mexico and was originally called “Keller Air”. The airline has had a long and storied history, from its humble beginnings to becoming one of the leading regional airlines in the western United States.

Taos Air began operations in 1979 with a single Cessna 402. The brothers had a great vision for what the airline could become and began to expand their fleet to include other aircraft such as the Beechcraft 1900 and the ATR-42. The airline was initially focused on providing air transportation to the local community, but as the demand for air travel grew, so did the demand for Taos Air services.

The first major milestone for Taos Air came in 1985, when the airline purchased its first jet aircraft, the Boeing 737-200. This was a major step forward for the airline, as it allowed them to expand their services to larger cities and to compete with other large airlines. The acquisition of the 737-200 was a major turning point for the airline and marked the beginning of its expansion into larger markets.

In 1989, Taos Air opened its first hub at Albuquerque International Airport. This was a major milestone for the airline, as it allowed them to expand their reach and provide services to larger cities. The hub also allowed Taos Air to offer a wide variety of flight options, from short-haul flights to long-haul international flights.

The next major milestone for Taos Air came in the 2000s, when the airline acquired its first regional jet aircraft, the Embraer E-190. This was a major step forward for the airline, as it allowed them to expand into new markets and compete with other regional airlines. The acquisition of the E-190 was also the first step in Taos Air's expansion into international markets, as the aircraft was capable of trans-Atlantic flights.

In 2009, Taos Air celebrated its 30th anniversary. To commemorate the occasion, the airline held a grand celebration in Taos, New Mexico, which included a flyover of the city by the airline's jet aircraft. This was a major milestone for the airline, as it marked the end of the airline's original vision and the start of its international expansion.

Although Taos Air has seen a lot of success over the years, there have been some unfortunate incidents involving the airline. In 2009, a Taos Air flight from Albuquerque to Denver experienced a loss of cabin pressure, which forced the pilot to make an emergency landing. The incident resulted in the death of one passenger and injuries to several others. In addition, in 2011, the airline was investigated by the FAA for alleged safety violations. The investigation resulted in several fines and citations, but no criminal charges were filed.

Overall, Taos Air has come a long way since its founding in 1979. From its humble beginnings with a single Cessna 402, the airline has grown to become one of the leading regional airlines in the western United States. The airline has seen a lot of success over the years and has achieved several important milestones, including the acquisition of its first jet aircraft and the opening of its first hub at Albuquerque International Airport. Despite some unfortunate incidents, Taos Air has proven to be a reliable and safe airline, and it continues to provide air transportation to passengers across the United States and beyond.