note

Air West was formed when CAB approved merger of Pacific Airlines, Bonanza Airlines, and West Coast Airlines in April 1968. New airline was named Air West and was headquartered in San Francisco with maintenance being based in Phoenix in Bonanza's former facilities. Its network was complimentary and covered most of the Western States, Western Canada and Mexico. Pacific operated Boeing 727-100s, while both Bonanza and West Coast operated Douglas DC-9s and all three Fairchild F-27s. Despite these favorable circumstances the merger did not live up to its potential. Airline lost over $20 million first year and suffered public humiliation when its new computer reservation system failed when introduced. Howard Hughes of Hughes Aircraft Co. was interested in owning another airline after having ended his involvement with TWA a decade earlier. Bleeding Air West was up to sale and to delight of its creditors Howard Hughes purchased Air West for nearly $90 million in July 1969. In April next year airline was renamed Hughes Airwest and new lively livery was introduced to better compete with emerging PSA. Hughes Air West returned to profitability and consolidated its fleet. Boeing 727-200 was introduced and flights to Mexico increased. Airline also focused on interstate service and many intrastate routes inherited from Bonanza, Pacific and West Coast were eliminated. After the airline deregulation in 1978 good times ended. Fuel crisis, increased competition, loss of government subsidies for some of its destinations and labor disputes all contributed to over $20 million loss in 1979. The same year airline expanded its service east to Houston and Milwaukee. The airline was acquired by Republic Airlines in 1980, operating until January 1982 as Republic Airlines West. The merger was complete by August 1980. Republic acquired Hughes Airwest for less than $40 million and gained foothold in the western markets making its domestic network complete.

founded - demised (age)

July 1 1968 - October 1 1980  (12)

headquarters

, San Francisco, CA

web

base airports

KSFO International San Francisco
KSEA Sea-Tac International Seattle
KPHX Sky Harbor International Phoenix

related operators

Republic Airlines	acquired by 1980
Bonanza Air Lines	predecessor
Pacific Air Lines	predecessor
West Coast Airlines	predecessor