Rich International Airways Explained

Airline:Rich International Airways
Iata:JN
Icao:RIA
Callsign:RICHAIR
Founded:1969
Ceased:1 September 1996
Bases:Miami International Airport
Fleet Size:41
Headquarters:Miami, Florida
Key People:
  • Jean Rich
  • William Meenan
  • David Sanguesa
  • David Rich
  • George E. Batchelor

Rich International Airways was primarily a United States charter and cargo airline founded by aviation pioneer Jean Rich, one of the few women in the U.S. to own and operate an airline.[1] The air carrier was based in Miami, Florida.[2] The airline ceased operations in 1996, following bankruptcy.

History

Rich International Airways was founded in 1969 as a supplemental air carrier (i.e. charter carrier) flying cargo, operating Curtiss C-46 Commando and Beechcraft Model 18 aircraft to the Caribbean. Capacity was steadily increased with the addition of Douglas DC-6 and Douglas DC-8-60 freighters.

In 1982, the carrier was granted permission to fly passenger charters, and began operations to Europe and Hawaii. However, losses from the expansion forced the company to seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1983. This was followed by scrutiny from the Federal Aviation Administration, which revoked the airline's operating license due to maintenance irregularities during the DOT “white glove inspections” directed by the Hon. Elizabeth Dole in the spring of 1984. The FAA agreed to return the operating certificate with the addition of new key personnel, Director of Operations, Chief Pilot, Director of Maintenance and Director of Training.

Following the restart and new operating approvals, Miami-based George E. Batchelor invested in the company, and by 1991, Rich had successfully exited bankruptcy protection. This period of prosperity was accompanied by more expansion, including the introduction of the wide-body Lockheed L-1011 TriStar for flights to Europe. During 1995-6, Rich International operated L-1011 charter flights for cruise lines, tour operators, vacation package companies and the U.S. Department of Defense. Routes in the summer months included San Francisco (SFO to Maui (OGG) and Honolulu, Los Angeles (LAX) to Maui and Honolulu, Sacramento to Maui and Honolulu and San Diego to Honolulu, as well. Flights for cruise operators included trips to the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Multiple charter trips operated to and from Las Vegas (LAS) from Boston, Ft.Lauderdale, Cleveland, Detroit, Minneapolis/St.Paul, Pittsburgh and South Bend, Indiana. Charter flights for the US DoD were operated to Europe, North Africa, The Middle East and the Far East. According to the Official Airline Guide (OAG), in the spring of 1996 Rich was operating scheduled passenger service with L-1011 aircraft nonstop twice a week between Anchorage (ANC) and Honolulu (HNL).[3]

In the wake of the crash of ValuJet Flight 592 in the Everglades, much media attention was given to the FAA's poor oversight of the ValuJet's rapid, unsustainable growth and multiple safety violations. The FAA then grounded Rich for alleged maintenance irregularities. Operations ceased on September 1, 1996. The US aviation authority FAA wanted to allow flight operations until February 1997, but the US Department of Transportation refused to approve and made a license dependent on numerous conditions. In February 1997, Rich International announced its bankruptcy and was dissolved. It was no longer able to meet the requirements of the Ministry of Transport economically. The aircraft and the entire inventory were auctioned in July 1997.

The following year, the FAA released findings stating that the grounding of Rich may have been an overreaction, and that minor maintenance issues may have been blown out of proportion in the public hysteria following the ValuJet crash.[4]

The company provided bi-monthly logistical support flights containing food, machinery parts, and delivery of US Mail to Coast Guard LORAN Station South Caicos, British West Indies and Coast Guard LORAN Station San Salvador, Bahamas until 1981 when those stations were decommissioned.

Fleet

The Rich International Airways fleet consisted of the following aircraft:[5]

Rich International Airways fleet
AircraftTotalIntroducedRetiredNotes
Beechcraft King Air119831983
Boeing 727-100119901991
Curtiss C-46 Commando719701984
Douglas DC-6A419731987
Douglas DC-8-33F119801986
Douglas DC-8-55CF419811984
Douglas DC-8-62619831990
Douglas DC-8-62F219901997
Douglas DC-8-63119921997
Lockheed L-1011-1 Tristar1219911997
Lockheed L-1011-200 Tristar119961997
Lockheed L-1011-500 Tristar119961997

Accidents and incidents

See also

References

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Last Flight Plan .
  2. Web site: World Airline Directory. 1994. 23–29 March. Flight International. 114. June 8, 2015.
  3. April 7, 1996 OAG North American Pocket Flight Guide, Anchorage & Honolulu flight schedules
  4. Hengi, "Airlines Remembered", Page 170
  5. Web site: Rich International. aerobernie.bplaced.net. February 20, 2021.
  6. Web site: Accident description. Aviation Safety Network. February 24, 2021.