Empire Airlines History: Utica's Fokker F28 Airline – Airline Employee Shop

Empire Airlines History

Empire Airlines grew from a small Utica, New York aviation company into an all-jet Fokker F28 airline with a hub in Syracuse, before Piedmont bought it in 1986. Here's a short history of Empire, plus the Empire Airlines collection that celebrates them.

From Utica (1974-1979)

Paul Quackenbush founded the company in late 1974 as Oneida County Aviation, a fixed base operator at Oneida County Airport in Utica. It began flying in 1975 as a commuter carrier, with Piper Navajos and Swearingen Metros. The company took the name Empire Airlines in September 1979 and received its federal airline certificate on October 13, 1979.

The jet age (1980-1984)

Right after certification, Empire ordered two Fokker F28-4000 jets. The first went into service on September 15, 1980, between Utica and New York. The jet fleet grew steadily, helped by four used F28s from the defunct Altair Airlines at the end of 1983. Most Empire cities were tied together through a hub at Syracuse.

Peak years (1985)

By the end of 1985 Empire had 15 F28s and had retired its last Metros, making it an all-jet airline. In July 1985 it announced it would move its headquarters to Syracuse. At its peak it served 20 cities, 11 of them in New York State, plus Baltimore, Boston, Burlington, Cleveland, Hartford, Newark, Washington, Ottawa and Montreal.

Joining Piedmont (1985-1986)

Piedmont Airlines agreed to buy Empire on October 2, 1985, in a deal worth about $42 million. Piedmont completed the purchase on February 1, 1986, and Empire was merged into Piedmont on May 1, 1986. Syracuse became Piedmont's fourth hub, and Empire's F28s joined the Piedmont fleet.

A few things collectors love

  • The Fokker F28, the twin-jet that defined Empire's fleet by 1985.
  • Empire's first jet route, Utica-New York, opened in September 1980.
  • Its Syracuse hub lived on as a Piedmont hub after the merger.

Shop Empire Airlines

Browse Empire Airlines logo T-shirts, coffee mugs, coasters, tote bags and vintage designs in the Empire Airlines collection. Add an airline bag tag or key tag for a classic touch on your next trip.

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