JK SWI Commenced operations 1983 Ceased operations November 7, 1988 | SWI Sunworld Founded 1981 Fleet size 13 | |
Headquarters Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | ||
Sunworld International Airways was a small, all-jet airline that operated in the western USA from 1983 until liquidated in 1988. Towards the end of operations it was known as Sunworld Airlines.
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Company history
Sunworld International Airways (not to be confused with Sunworld International Airlines) was founded by ex-managers of Bonanza Air Lines as Jetwest International in 1981, but initiated operations on May 27, 1983, under the Sunworld name with Douglas DC-9-10 series jet aircraft. Although the word "international" appears in the airline's name, it appears that Sunworld never operated any international flights on a scheduled basis.
Sunworld was based in Las Vegas, Nevada, which served as the primary hub for the airline. At one point, Sunworld also operated a small secondary hub in Reno, Nevada.
In 1985, the airline initiated Boeing 737-300 jet service. Sunworld also operated British Aerospace BAe 146-100 jet aircraft at one point.
Destinations in 1987
According to the airline's system timetable dated September 14, 1987, Sunworld was serving the following destinations:
Besides flights to and from Las Vegas and Reno, the above referenced system timetable also lists point-to-point nonstop service between San Diego and Tucson as well as direct, no change of plane service between several other city pairs in the airline's route system via either Las Vegas or Reno.
Other cities served by Sunworld during its existence included Burbank, California (BUR), Los Angeles, California (LAX), Milwaukee, Wisconsin (MKE), Omaha, Nebraska (OMA) and San Jose, California (SJC).
End of operations
In January 1988, virtually all flights were cancelled due to financial reasons and the only scheduled route being flown was Las Vegas-Omaha. Nonscheduled charter work was also being undertaken at this time. By April 1988, Sunworld had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and with debts of over US$15 million, operations could not be sustained. On November 7, 1988, the airline was liquidated.