History
From a small, fixed-base charter company in Orofino, Idaho, Empire Airlines has grown into an international air carrier and heavy maintenance repair station. Like our history? Be a part of our future!
EMPIRE AIRLINES THROUGHOUT THE YEARS
Leahann St Godard & Dawn Fehrs celebrate their 25 year anniversaries!
Lanny Unruh celebrates his 25 year anniversary!
John Engle celebrates his 25 year anniversary!
Marie Kozma celebrates her 25 year anniversary!
Empire Airlines starts passenger operations - "Ohana by Hawaiian."
Carol McCurdie celebrates her 25 year anniversary!
February FAA issues Empire Airlines passenger flying certification.
Tom Strom celebrates his 25 year anniversary!
Rodney Holberton celebrates his 25 year anniversary!
Ray Stanea celebrates his 25 year anniversary!
Katie Lammon celebrates her 25 year anniversary!
Lorena Hanson celebrates her 25 year anniversary!
Jim Adair celebrates his 25 year anniversary!
Craig Brown celebrates his 25 year anniversary!
Steve Martini celebrates his 25 year anniversary!
Dan Paulson celebrates his 25 year anniversary!
Empire Aerospace signs a contract with Horizon Air to support a line of Q-400 aircraft for reliability and performance upgrade modifications.
Empire Aerospace adds Dash 8-100, -200, -300 and Q-400 capabilities to our Ops Specs.
Empire Aerospace signs Operations Specifications to allow the performance of heavy maintenance on ATR42s, ATR72s and Fokker F27s.
Empire Aerospace performs heavy maintenance on first ATR72 imported from Germany by FedEx.
Empire Aerospace holds a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne in attendance.
Empire moves into new hangar and office building.
The first ATR42 put on Empire's certificate makes the first ATR FedEx revenue flight.
BOD accept Idaho's proposal for new hangar and office at the Coeur d'Alene Airport.
The first ATR42 arrives in Spokane for cargo conversion.
Empire purchases Reliant Logistics as a wholly owned subsidiary.
Empire receives Repair Station certificate.
In March Tim Komberec joins Empire as CEO.
Empire begins doing heavy maintenance checks on F27s.
Empire enters into partnership agreement to begin Express Air serving FedEx in Europe.
Empire starts flying and maintaining Shorts SD360 aircraft.
Empire begins sending technical reps to Conair during heavy maintenance checks on Fokker F27s.
Empire moves corporate office and ends passenger service, focusing on cargo, maintenance and airline startups.
Empire becomes a sustaining member of CASE (Coordinating Agency for Supplier Evaluation).
Partnership with Silverwing Holidays to fly BAe 146 jets for charter service out of Bellingham, WA.
Empire assists Mahalo Airlines startup.
Empire adds more cargo routes and performs first heavy maintenance check on a Fairchild F27.
Empire becomes a FAR 121 operator after the purchase of Pacific Alaska and two Fairchild F27 aircraft. In August Empire starts F27 service for FedEx.
Empire flies in Alaska for Naval Arctic Research Laboratory.
Empire signs FedEx contract to fly and maintain Caravan 208s out of Portland and Spokane; Seattle is added in September.
Empire contracts with Hughes Corporation to fly employees between three California offices.
Empire contracts with a Colorado company to run shuttle service between ski resorts.
January 25, Empire adds Metro service to meet passenger demand and adds Lewiston to the COE-BOI route.
January 3, Empire begins commuter service to Boise.
December 31, Pilots Al Hall and Dan Paulson arrive in the Caribbean for the Department of Defense Grenada contract chauffeuring military personnel and supplies.
Empire purchases Executive Aviation in Missoula, MT and leases Twin Otters for US Forest Service smoke jumping contracts.
November 1, Empire purchases West Aire, Inc. at COE and expands business to include aircraft sales and maintenance.
Business includes fire patrol, transporting outfitters into the backcountry, air ambulance, air pollution monitoring, charters and flight instruction.
May 1 Mel Spelde joins full-time as flight instructor and manager.
April 12 Nick Chenoweth and Vic Walters sign papers starting Clearwater Flying Service (CFS) in Orofino, ID.