Destinations Regional Florida Founded 1960 Ceased operations 1981 | Company slogan The Florida Connection Headquarters Tampa | |
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Florida Airlines was a commuter airline based in Florida that operated from 1960 to 1982. It is said to have had the largest Douglas DC3 fleet in the world in 1976 Airline deregulation eventually resulted in the demise of the airline.
Contents
Fleet
During the 1960s, Florida Airlines operated a fleet of aircraft described in the below table.
Florida Airlines also operated Martin 4-0-4 propliner aircraft during its existence.
Corporate history
Florida Airlines was incorporated on February 8, 1960 as Florida Air Taxi, Inc. in Tampa, Florida with William Taylor as owner. Taylor had purchased the company in the early 1950s from L. A. Stevens. The name was changed to Florida Airlines, Inc. on October 17, 1969. In 1969, the airline was sold to Lee H. Hill, Sr. and Lee H. Hill, Jr., owners of Hill-Donnelly Publishing company. In late 1973, it was sold by Hills to Arthur C. Allyn. Allyn had previously owned the Chicago White Sox and Executive Airlines. He was also the owner of Sarasota Jungle Gardens and a significant philanthropist in the Sarasota area. In 1975, the airline was purchased by Air South and Shawnee Airlines. The airline filed for bankruptcy protection and suspended services in January 1980. The airline re-commenced operations as Southern International Airlines (SIA), based at Sarasota in early 1980 (operating under the 'Air Florida Commuter' banner). On December 2, 1981 Southern International Airlines (SIA) operations were suspended. The corporation was dissolved on December 14, 1982
Destinations
The cities that Florida Airlines served in the 1970s: