note

Express Airlines I was founded in 1985 by a former Metro Express executive (Michael Brady) under parent company Phoenix Airline Services. Flights began May 31, 1985 as Republic Express using Jetstream 31s, feeding the larger carrier at Memphis, expanding to Minneapolis by the end of the year. SAAB 340As were acquired within its first year. The airline became a Northwest Airlink in 1986 when Northwest acquired Republic; operations were suspended at Minneapolis as Northwest already had a feeder carrier in place. On April 1, 1997, Northwest acquired the carrier. In June 2000 it launched regional jet service, and service resumed at Minneapolis and began at the Detroit hub the following year. The airline changed its name to Pinnacle Airlines on May 8, 2002 as Northwest planned to sell the company. Northwest ultimately spun off the airline in November 2003 to become an independent, publicly-traded company. The airline continued to provide Northwest Airlink service to all three Northwest hubs. After Delta merged with Northwest, Pinnacle Airlines switched from Northwest Airlink to Delta Connection regional airline brand. On January 18, 2007 parent Pinnacle Airlines Corp. acquired Colgan Air which was operating feeder services for American, United and US Airways. On July 1, 2010 parent acquired Mesaba Airlines from Delta Airlines. Plans called for splitting Mesaba operations between the existing Pinnacle and Colgan operations, but that never occurred. On January 4, 2012, Mesaba operations were merged into Pinnacle operations. Then, on April 1st 2012 Pinnacle Airlines filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Airline emerged from bankruptcy on May 1st 2013 as 100% subsidiary of Delta Air Lines with no publicly traded stock. In June 2013, company changed its name to Endeavor Air and moved its headquarters to Minneapolis MN. ICAO code/callsign change 10/27/16

founded - demised (age)

May 31 1985 - present  (40years)

headquarters

7500 Airline Drive, Minneapolis, MN

web

www.endeavorair.com

base airports

KDTW Wayne County International Detroit
KMSP International Minneapolis - St Paul
KATL Hartsfield - Jackson Atlanta International Atlanta

related operators

Delta Air Lines	parent
Republic Express	contract 1985-1986
Northwest Airlink	contract 1986-2009
Delta Connection	contract 2009-
Mesaba Airlines	merged 2012