US’s Empire Holdings buys West Air

Empire Holdings, the parent of Empire Airlines (EM, Coeur d’Alene), has acquired fellow FedEx Express feeder carrier West Air (United States of America) (PCM, Fresno Yosemite) for an undisclosed amount.

“West Air is a great company with a stellar reputation in the industry. Their management philosophy and business ethics closely match those of Empire. We are excited to have them as a member of the Empire family,” Empire Airlines Chief Executive and Chairman of the Board Tim Komberec said.

West Air, which currently operates thirty-three Cessna (single turboprop) C208 Grand Caravans on behalf of FedEx under a CMI contract, will continue as a standalone company based out of Fresno Yosemite and will not be merged into Empire Airways. However, Komberec will become its new chief executive with the remainder of its existing management team remaining in place.

For its part, Empire Airlines operates thirty-seven C208s, nine ATR42-300(F)s (which are slated for retirement), and six ATR72-200(F)s owned by FedEx Express. It will soon start operating at least four ATR72-600Fs under a CMI deal with the integrator. The airline’s FedEx contract is currently its only line of business after the discontinuation of the Hawaiian Airlines regional ‘Ohana brand in June last year. Empire Airlines operated four ATR42-500s and four ATR72-200(F)s under a CMI deal with Hawaiian Airlines.

Empire Holdings also owns Empire Aerospace, an MRO company with Avions de Transport Régional conversion facilities, and drone company Empire Unmanned.