Many lay observers broadly equate bankruptcy with going out of business. However, the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure are complex, affording companies different means of addressing their financial plights. The most common path, Chapter 11 (reorganization), “ordinarily is used by commercial enterprises that desire to continue operating…and repay creditors concurrently through a court-approved plan of reorganization.” Under more extreme circumstances, companies engage in Chapter 7 (liquidation) proceedings, which entail “an orderly, court-supervised procedure by which a trustee collects the assets of the debtor’s estate, reduces them to cash, and makes distributions to creditors, subject to the debtor’s right to retain certain exempt property and the rights of secured creditors.” For more information on federal bankruptcy law, proceedings and terminology, please consult Bankruptcy Basics, published by the Bankruptcy Judges Division of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts. Other sources of bankruptcy research include BankruptcyData.com, the American Bankruptcy Institute, and the Cornell University Legal Information Institute. Pre-1978, bankruptcies were extremely rare in the unduly regulated environment. [Some exceptions existed for intra-state carriers, which were not regulated by the Civil Aeronautics Board.] The CAB typically arranged marriages between failing carriers (i.e., Northeast) and survivors (i.e., Delta), transferring routes and assets to the surviving carrier. Since 1978, there have been well over 100 bankruptcy filings, although not all of these have resulted in liquidation. The early years of deregulation saw numerous filings amongst startup carriers that lacked viable business plans or sufficient capitalization. However, recession, fierce competition, rising costs, the Gulf War, and the September 11, 2001 tragedy prompted bankruptcy filings amongst several larger carriers. The table below is a loose, unofficial compilation of research conducted by various individuals. Neither DOT nor A4A maintains official records of airline bankruptcy filings and/or service cessations. As such, we cannot verify the accuracy of each individual entry. The table is provided as a service rather than an authoritative source. It is the only known source that is publicly available, free, and centralized.
Date | Carrier | Chapter |
8/7/2023 | Western Global Airlines | 11 |
8/22/2022 | ExpressJet, with intent to liquidate (aha! Brand ceased operations) | 11 |
4/5/2020 | RavnAir Group (RavnAir Alaska/PenAir/RavnAir Connect) ceased operations | 11 |
4/5/2020 | Compass Airlines (announced Mar. 19) | 7 |
4/1/2020 | Trans States Airlines (announced Feb. 24) | 7 |
3/24/2020 | Miami Air International (shut down May 8) | 11 |
10/8/2019 | Via Airlines | 11 |
1/19/2019 | California Pacific Airlines | 11 |
11/2018 | OneJet | 7 |
1/08/2018 | Seaborne Airlines | 11 |
10/16/2017 | Island Air | 11 |
8/7/2017 | PenAir | 11 |
7/19/2017 | Dynamic International Airways | 11 |
9/20/2016 | SeaPort Airlines | 11 |
2/25/2016 | Republic Airways Holdings | 11 |
2/5/2016 | SeaPort Airlines | 11 |
9/28/2012 | Southern Air | 11 |
9/12/2012 | Comair (began ops in April 1977; ceased ops 9/29/2012) | 7 |
4/12/2012 | Direct Air (began ops March 7, 2007; ceased ops March 12, 2012) | 7 |
4/1/2012 | Pinnacle Airlines | 11 |
3/6/2012 | Ryan International Airlines | 11 |
2/6/2012 | Global Aviation Holdings (World Airways/North American Airlines) | 11 |
11/29/2011 | American Airlines (AMR Corp.) | 11 |
11/4/2010 | Gulfstream International Airlines | 11 |
6/30/2010 | Arrow Air | 11 |
1/5/2010 | Mesa Air (founded in 1982) | 11 |
10/15/2008 | Primaris Airlines (established in 2002, ops. in 2004; charter) | 11 |
10/6/2008 | Sun Country (began 1982 [scheduled service eff. 6/1/99]) | 11 |
8/12/2008 | Gemini Air Cargo (10/24/96 through 8/12/08) | 7 |
7/18/2008 | Vintage Props & Jets (began 1991) | 11 |
6/18/2008 | Gemini Air Cargo | 11 |
5/14/2008 | Air Midwest (5/15/65 through 6/30/08) | 7 |
4/26/2008 | Eos Airlines (10/18/05 through 4/27/08) | 11 |
4/11/2008 | Frontier Airlines (began 7/5/94) | 11 |
4/7/2008 | Skybus Airlines (5/22/07 through 4/5/08) | 11 |
4/2/2008 | ATA Airlines (8/73 [scheduled service eff. 1986] through 4/2/08) | 11 |
3/31/2008 | Champion Air (originally MGM Grand Air; 9/87 through 5/31/08) | 11 |
3/31/2008 | Aloha Airlines (7/26/46 through 3/31/08) | 7 |
1/7/2008 | Big Sky (9/15/78 through 1/7/08) | 7 |
12/24/2007 | MAXjet Airways (11/1/05 through 12/24/07) | 11 |
10/15/2007 | Kitty Hawk Aircargo | 11 |
2/21/2006 | Florida Coastal Airlines | 11 |
1/6/2006 | Independence Air (6/16/04 through 1/5/06) | 7 |
12/28/2005 | Era Aviation (scheduled service eff. 5/83) | 11 |
11/7/2005 | Independence Air (originally Atlantic Coast Airlines eff. 12/15/89) | 11 |
10/13/2005 | Mesaba Airlines (founded 1944; scheduled service eff. 2/4/73) | 11 |
9/29/2005 | TransMeridian Airlines (founded 1995) | 7 |
9/14/2005 | Delta Air Lines | 11 |
9/14/2005 | Comair | 11 |
9/14/2005 | Northwest Airlines | 11 |
12/30/2004 | Aloha Airlines | 11 |
12/1/2004 | Southeast Airlines | 7 |
10/26/2004 | ATA Airlines | 11 |
9/12/2004 | US Airways | 11 |
1/30/2004 | Atlas Air/Polar Air Cargo | 11 |
1/23/2004 | Great Plains Airlines | 11 |
12/31/2003 | Evergreen International Airlines | 7 |
10/30/2003 | Midway Airlines | 7 |
3/21/2003 | Hawaiian Airlines | 11 |
12/9/2002 | United Airlines | 11 |
8/11/2002 | US Airways | 11 |
7/30/2002 | Vanguard Airlines | 11 |
1/2/2002 | Sun Country Airlines | 7 |
8/13/2001 | Midway Airlines | 11 |
1/10/2001 | Trans World Airlines | 11 |
12/13/2000 | Allegiant Air | 11 |
12/6/2000 | National Airlines | 11 |
12/3/2000 | Legend Airlines | 11 |
9/27/2000 | Fine Air Services | 11 |
9/19/2000 | Pro Air | 11 |
5/1/2000 | Kitty Hawk | 11 |
2/29/2000 | Tower Air | 11 |
11/29/1999 | Access Air | 11 |
9/30/1999 | Eastwind Airlines | 7 |
6/25/1999 | Sunjet International/Myrtle Beach Jet Express | 11 |
3/23/1999 | Kiwi International Airlines | 11 |
7/29/1998 | Euram Flight Centre | 11 |
2/26/1998 | Pan American World Airways | 11 |
11/6/1997 | Mountain Air Express | 11 |
10/5/1997 | Western Pacific Airlines | 11 |
8/28/1997 | Air South | 11 |
7/25/1997 | Mahalo | 11 |
9/30/1996 | Kiwi International Airlines | 11 |
1/23/1996 | Conquest Airlines | 11 |
1/22/1996 | Business Express | 11 |
1/10/1996 | GP Express | 11 |
12/15/1995 | The Krystal Company | 11 |
11/28/1995 | Grand Airways | 11 |
6/30/1995 | Trans World Airlines | 11 |
4/14/1995 | Markair | 11 |
2/3/1995 | Crescent Airways | 11 |
10/11/1994 | Florida West Airlines | 11 |
3/21/1994 | Resorts International | 11 |
9/21/1993 | Hawaiian Airlines | 11 |
9/20/1993 | Evergreen International Aviation | 11 |
5/1/1993 | Key Airlines | 11 |
12/15/1992 | States West Airlines | 11 |
6/8/1992 | Markair | 11 |
6/8/1992 | Hermans/Markair Express | 11 |
2/28/1992 | L’Express | 7 |
1/31/1992 | Trans World Airlines | 11 |
12/31/1991 | Flagship Express | 11 |
11/27/1991 | Midway Airlines | 7 |
8/12/1991 | Mohawk Airlines | 11 |
6/27/1991 | America West Airlines | 11 |
5/30/1991 | Metro Airlines Northeast | 11 |
5/20/1991 | Jet Express | 11 |
4/1/1991 | Metro Airlines | 11 |
3/26/1991 | Grand Airways | 11 |
3/25/1991 | Midway Airlines | 11 |
1/29/1991 | Northcoast Executive | 7 |
1/22/1991 | Virgin Island Seaplane | 11 |
1/20/1991 | Bar Harbor Airlines | 11 |
1/18/1991 | Eastern Air Lines | 7 |
1/9/1991 | L’Express | 11 |
1/8/1991 | Pan Am World Airways | 11 |
1/8/1991 | Pan Am Express | 11 |
12/3/1990 | Continental Airlines | 11 |
12/3/1990 | Britt Airways | 11 |
12/3/1990 | Rocky Mountain Airways | 11 |
7/5/1990 | CCAir | 11 |
5/10/1990 | SMB Stage Lines | 11 |
1/23/1990 | Pocono Airlines | 11 |
11/17/1989 | Resort Commuter | 11 |
11/12/1989 | Resorts International | 11 |
10/26/1989 | Presidential Airways | 11 |
9/28/1989 | Braniff International | 11 |
7/19/1989 | Air Kentucky | 7 |
3/14/1989 | Big Sky Airlines | 11 |
3/9/1989 | Eastern Air Lines | 11 |
9/27/1988 | Southern Jersey Airways | 11 |
9/14/1988 | Qwest Air | 11 |
8/11/1988 | Princeton Air Link | 7 |
6/20/1988 | Virgin Island Seaplane | 11 |
5/25/1988 | Pocono Airlines | 11 |
5/6/1988 | Caribbean Express | 11 |
3/4/1988 | Exec Express | 11 |
1/20/1988 | Mid Pacific Airlines | 11 |
1/15/1988 | Air Virginia | 11 |
1/14/1988 | Air New Orleans | 11 |
1/5/1988 | Sun Coast Airlines | 11 |
9/9/1987 | Royale Airlines | 11 |
6/17/1987 | Air South | 11 |
4/3/1987 | Air Atlanta | 11 |
3/12/1987 | Royal West Airlines | 11 |
3/10/1987 | Gull Air | 11 |
3/6/1987 | Air Puerto Rico | 11 |
2/27/1987 | Rio Airways | 11 |
2/23/1987 | McClain Airlines | 11 |
2/19/1987 | Chicago Airlines | 11 |
8/28/1986 | Frontier Airlines | 11 |
8/19/1986 | Trans Air | 11 |
4/9/1986 | Sea Airmotive | 11 |
2/11/1986 | Arrow Airways | 11 |
1/30/1986 | Imperial Airlines | 11 |
1/21/1986 | Southern Express | 11 |
12/2/1985 | Pride Air | 11 |
10/7/1985 | Wheeler Airlines | 11 |
8/19/1985 | Cascade Airways | 11 |
5/1/1985 | Wise Airlines | 11 |
3/19/1985 | Sun West Airlines | 11 |
3/13/1985 | Provincetown Boston | 11 |
3/8/1985 | American Central | 11 |
2/22/1985 | Far West Airlines | 11 |
1/22/1985 | Pompano Airways | 11 |
1/8/1985 | Northeastern International | 11 |
11/28/1984 | Wien Air Alaska | 11 |
11/23/1984 | Capitol Air | 11 |
10/26/1984 | Air One | 11 |
10/10/1984 | Atlantic Gulf | 11 |
10/10/1984 | Connectaire | 7 |
10/2/1984 | Oceanaire Lines | 7 |
9/27/1984 | Wright Air Lines | 11 |
9/4/1984 | Air North | 11 |
8/29/1984 | Hammonds Commuter | 11 |
8/21/1984 | Emerald | 11 |
7/19/1984 | American International | 11 |
7/17/1984 | Excellair | 7 |
7/3/1984 | Air Florida | 11 |
4/9/1984 | Combs Airways | 11 |
2/8/1984 | Dolphin | 11 |
2/2/1984 | Pacific Express | 11 |
1/30/1984 | Air Vermont | 11 |
12/2/1983 | National Florida | 7 |
9/24/1983 | Continental Airlines | 11 |
4/22/1983 | Golden West | 11 |
2/14/1983 | State Airlines | 11 |
2/1/1983 | Inland Empire | 11 |
12/9/1982 | North American | 11 |
11/9/1982 | Altair | 11 |
10/19/1982 | Aero Virgin Islands | 11 |
10/5/1982 | Aero Sun International | 11 |
8/19/1982 | Will’s Air | 11 |
7/8/1982 | Astec Air East | 11 |
5/13/1982 | Braniff International | 11 |
4/16/1982 | Cochise Airlines | 11 |
4/2/1982 | Air South | 11 |
3/26/1982 | Air Pennsylvania | 11 |
3/3/1982 | Silver State Airlines | 11 |
1/26/1982 | Pinehurst Airlines | 11 |
10/9/1981 | Golden Gate | 11 |
9/18/1981 | Swift Air Line | 11 |
9/11/1981 | Pacific Coast | 11 |
7/13/1981 | Coral Air | 11 |
3/16/1981 | LANICA | 11 |
3/6/1981 | Mountain West | 11 |
12/31/1980 | Tejas Airlines | 11 |
12/15/1980 | Air Bahia | 11 |
3/3/1980 | Indiana Airlines | 11 |
1/24/1980 | Florida Airlines | 11 |
11/19/1979 | Aeroamerica | 11 |
5/18/1979 | New York Airways | 11 |