- Conquest Airlines
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Conquest Airlines was an American regional airline initially headquartered in Jefferson County, Texas, and later headquartered in Austin, Texas. Conquest operated primarily on routes within Texas from its hub in Austin (at the now closed Robert Mueller Municipal Airport).
Contents
History
Rafael Rivas and Victor Rivas, two brothers from Queens, New York City, created the concept of Conquest Airlines. The airline began in April 1988 with flights from Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas to Austin and Dallas; the airline later added Corpus Christi, McAllen, and San Antonio. In the late 1980s the airline shifted its hub and operations to Austin. Rafael Rivas, who became the executive vice president of Conquest, said that the airline chose Austin as its hub since Dallas and Houston were not centrally located in Texas. Rivas added that by being located in Austin, the airline would avoid competition from regional airline carriers operating in Houston and the Dallas-Fort Worth areas. In addition the airline catered to passengers traveling within Texas instead of passengers planning to do inter-state travel.[1] Rivas added that his airline did not intend to compete with Southwest Airlines; it intended to compete with the automobile.[1] Around November 1989 the airline's aircraft carried 21,000 passengers on 2,500 trips per month.[1]
Conquest originally had its headquarters on the grounds of Southeast Texas Regional Airport in unincorporated Jefferson County, Texas.[2] Conquest planned to move its headquarters to Austin in the beginning of 1990.[3] In 1989 Conquest moved its corporate headquarters, 78 employees, and six aircraft to Austin.[4][5] The City of Austin granted its first ever tax abatement in exchange for the relocation of the corporate headquarters. The abatement relieved the airline of about $1.3 million worth of aircraft property taxes over a 7 year period. Austin politicians said that the relocation of Conquest would lead to the employment of 200 Austinites at Conquest for at least 14 years and a $47 tax base that would contribute to the stabilization of property values after the end of the abatement.[4]
In 1991, the Airline had planned operating flights into Monterrey, with Laredo, TX being the connecting point. Unfortunately the economic conditions generated by the first Gulf war prevented the airline from moving forward with the plan.
The airline expanded throughout the Southeastern United States. In 1993 the airline had 16 aircraft and 300 employees. Afterwards the airline's business declined. During a point in which the airline had about one and one half years of the abatement left, officials from the airline and the City of Austin acknowledged that the airline may fail as a company. In an attempt to survive, the airline removed 100 employees and 10 aircraft. In 1994 Conquest's tax base was appraised at $4.7 million.[4]
In 1995 Conquest Industries sold the airline subsidiary to Air L.A. Inc.[6] The new owners terminated Conquest's operations on July 28, 1997 and relocated the company to Oklahoma.[7]
The former Conquest Airlines building in Austin is now a Bahá'í Faith building.[8][9]
Fleet
Originally the airline operated 19-seat Beechcraft B-1900Cs. The aircraft were not equipped with toilets.[1] In March 1994, the airline operated a fleet of Fairchild Swearingen Metroliners, seating 19 passengers.[5]
Destinations
It served the following Texas cities: Abilene, Amarillo, Austin, Beaumont, Corpus Christi, Dallas (Love Field), Harlingen, Houston (Sugar Land Regional Airport),[10] Laredo, McAllen, Nacogdoches (TO Austin), San Antonio, San Angelo, and Tyler. Conquest also served New Orleans.[citation needed]
References
- ^ a b c d Patoski, Joe Nick. "Filling a Niche." Texas Monthly. November 1989. 82.
- ^ "SEC News Digest." Securities and Exchange Commission. March 8, 1989. 6 (6/8). Retrieved on October 26, 2009.
- ^ Reynolds, Stephanie. "These commercials aren't just for peanuts. (Conquest Airlines ads produced by Television Group)." Austin Business Journal. July 30, 1990. Retrieved on October 24, 2009.
- ^ a b c De Marban, Alex. "Let Them Eat Cake." The Austin Chronicle. May 5, 1995. Retrieved on October 26, 2009.
- ^ a b World Airline Directory. Flight International. March 22–28, 1995. 64. Retrieved on October 3, 2009.
- ^ "Article: CONQUEST INDUSTRIES SELLS AIRLINE SUBSIDIARY TO AIR L.A." PR Newswire. June 30, 1995. Retrieved on October 3, 2009.
- ^ "A fitness determination of Austin Express, Inc." U.S. Department of Transportation. September 23, 1997. 2/9. Retrieved on October 26, 2009.
- ^ "SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA." Travis County Property Information. Retrieved on October 25, 2009.
- ^ "Street Name Origins." City of Austin. Retrieved on October 15, 2009.
- ^ "Conquest Airlines to add 21 flights to Sugar Land schedule." Austin American-Statesman. October 14, 1993. F1. Retrieved on June 17, 2009.
External links
Categories:- Defunct airlines of the United States
- Defunct companies based in Texas
- Airlines established in 1988
- 1997 disestablishments
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