USA 3000 Airlines
Encyclopedia
Brendan Airways, LLC, doing business as
USA3000 Airlines, is a U.S.
airline
, headquartered in Newtown Township
, Delaware County
, Pennsylvania
. It operates both scheduled and charter service with a fleet of five Airbus A320
aircraft. As resported in November, 2011, USA 3000 will cease operations on January 8, 2012.
.
USA 3000 Airlines began operations with one Airbus A320
. The inaugural flight on December 28, 2001, flew from Philadelphia to Cancun. By early 2002, USA 3000 Airlines exclusively operated charter flights, from Philadelphia, Newark, Hartford and Columbus, with two aircraft. A third aircraft was added to the fleet in May 2002 and based in Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
In 2003, additional scheduled service was launched from northeastern U.S. cities to Florida, Bermuda, and throughout the Caribbeann. Scheduled domestic destinations eventually included Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, St. Petersburg/Clearwater
, Orlando
, Melbourne, Florida
, and Sarasota. Northern cities or "Gateway cities" included Newark
, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Baltimore
, Cleveland, Columbus
, Cincinnati, Detroit, Chicago (O'Hare)
, and St. Louis. Additionally, USA 3000 offered seasonal service from Hartford, Boston
, and Milwaukee.
By late 2004, USA 3000 Airlines operated 12 permanent A320 aircraft, plus 2 additional seasonal aircraft leased from Thomas Cook Airlines
.
By Summer 2008, USA3000 Airlines began a major drawback of its Florida
service, closing all stations except Fort Myers
. USA3000 has cited record-high fuel prices as reason for the service cuts. According to former USA 3000 COO
Angus Kinnear, "Florida has some of the lowest domestic air fares in the country and only Fort Myers fetches ticket prices high enough to make money with oil at $125 a barrel." In the same announcement, the airline confirmed the continuation of its remaining scheduled service, with a strong focus on maintaining the more profitable international routes. However seasonal service was restored in late 2008 to St. Petersburg/Clearwater Airport from Chicago (O'Hare)
due to a decrease in oil prices, reduction in flights by competitors, and a demonstration of customer support.
In November 2008, Steven Harfst was named CEO.
In January 2009, USA 3000 submitted a Statement of Intent to the United States Transportation Command
(USTRANSCOM) based at Scott Air Force Base
to be certified into the country’s Civil Reserve Air Fleet
(CRAF). USA 3000 is now a certified CRAF air carrier, and is able to bid on the military’s domestic and short-range international charters. USA 3000 also currently seeks “Ad Hoc” charter opportunities to improve aircraft utilization and has enhanced the website to improve sales, customer service, and ancillary revenue opportunities.
USA 3000 ended all of its services from Detroit and Milwaukee in April 2009. citing poor demand and the current economic downturn. USA 3000 also ended service from Baltimore
and Pittsburgh later that summer for the same reasons. However these services have since been offered seasonally.
The Fort Myers
crew base was closed in March 2010. However, flight schedules from Southwest Florida International Airport
would not be impacted, according to the USA 3000 CEO.
As of 2011, USA 3000 operated a fleet of 5 Airbus A320
aircraft.
In November 2011, Apple Vacations decided to dissolve USA 3000 Airlines. Apple Vacations will now use other carriers such as Frontier Airlines
and AirTran
to transport their customers to the Caribbean.
All USA 3000 operations are expected to cease on January 8, 2012.
USA3000 Airlines flies a fleet composed of solely Airbus A320 jet aircraft that are configured with 168 seats in a single-class configuration.
Most planes were new, delivered from Airbus
.
Doing business as
The phrase "doing business as" is a legal term used in the United States, meaning that the trade name, or fictitious business name, under which the business or operation is conducted and presented to the world is not the legal name of the legal person who actually own it and are responsible for it...
USA3000 Airlines, is a U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
airline
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
, headquartered in Newtown Township
Newtown Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Newtown Township is a township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States . Newtown Township is the oldest township in Delaware County. The population was 11,700 as of the 2000 census.-History:...
, Delaware County
Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Delaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 558,979, making it Pennsylvania's fifth most populous county, behind Philadelphia, Allegheny, Montgomery, and Bucks counties....
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. It operates both scheduled and charter service with a fleet of five Airbus A320
Airbus A320 family
The Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001...
aircraft. As resported in November, 2011, USA 3000 will cease operations on January 8, 2012.
Launch & Apple Vacation Charters: 2000-2002
In 2000, preliminary discussions began at Apple Vacations to outline the organization and launch of an airline. The airline, a sister company to Apple Vacations, would eventually become USA 3000 Airlines. Over the course of the following months, preparations escalated and on December 21, 2001, the airline was officially certified as an FAA part 121 operator. The origin of the company name is unknown and has never been publicly discussed, although it was likely derived from the now-defunct Canada 3000 AirlinesCanada 3000
Canada 3000 Inc. was a Canadian discount charter airline offering domestic and international flights. It was the largest charter airline in the world at the time of its operation, with over 90 destinations worldwide, although it changed to scheduled service in 2000 after the Canadian Airlines and...
.
USA 3000 Airlines began operations with one Airbus A320
Airbus A320
The Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001...
. The inaugural flight on December 28, 2001, flew from Philadelphia to Cancun. By early 2002, USA 3000 Airlines exclusively operated charter flights, from Philadelphia, Newark, Hartford and Columbus, with two aircraft. A third aircraft was added to the fleet in May 2002 and based in Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
Expansion & Scheduled service: 2003-2007
In order for USA 3000 to generate additional revenue, the existing charter flights were also offered as scheduled, allowing passengers to book flights without purchasing an Apple Vacation package.In 2003, additional scheduled service was launched from northeastern U.S. cities to Florida, Bermuda, and throughout the Caribbeann. Scheduled domestic destinations eventually included Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, St. Petersburg/Clearwater
St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport
St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport is a joint civil-military airport located in unincorporated Pinellas County, Florida, north of St. Petersburg, serving St...
, Orlando
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, Melbourne, Florida
Melbourne, Florida
Melbourne is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. As of 2009, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 78,323. The municipal area is the second largest by size and by population in the county. Melbourne is a principal city of the Palm Bay – Melbourne – Titusville, Florida...
, and Sarasota. Northern cities or "Gateway cities" included Newark
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, Cleveland, Columbus
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
, Cincinnati, Detroit, Chicago (O'Hare)
O'Hare International Airport
Chicago O'Hare International Airport , also known as O'Hare Airport, O'Hare Field, Chicago Airport, Chicago International Airport, or simply O'Hare, is a major airport located in the northwestern-most corner of Chicago, Illinois, United States, northwest of the Chicago Loop...
, and St. Louis. Additionally, USA 3000 offered seasonal service from Hartford, Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, and Milwaukee.
By late 2004, USA 3000 Airlines operated 12 permanent A320 aircraft, plus 2 additional seasonal aircraft leased from Thomas Cook Airlines
Thomas Cook Airlines
Thomas Cook Airlines is a British charter airline based in Manchester, England. It serves main holiday resorts worldwide, from its main bases at Manchester and Gatwick.The airline also operates services from nine other bases in the United Kingdom....
.
Cutbacks & Military Charters: 2008-Present
In early 2008, it was announced that USA 3000 Airlines would be pulling out of Newark Liberty Airport due to increased competition from discount carriers.By Summer 2008, USA3000 Airlines began a major drawback of its Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
service, closing all stations except Fort Myers
Fort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers is the county seat and commercial center of Lee County, Florida, United States. Its population was 62,298 in the 2010 census, a 29.23 percent increase over the 2000 figure....
. USA3000 has cited record-high fuel prices as reason for the service cuts. According to former USA 3000 COO
Chief operating officer
A Chief Operating Officer or Director of Operations can be one of the highest-ranking executives in an organization and comprises part of the "C-Suite"...
Angus Kinnear, "Florida has some of the lowest domestic air fares in the country and only Fort Myers fetches ticket prices high enough to make money with oil at $125 a barrel." In the same announcement, the airline confirmed the continuation of its remaining scheduled service, with a strong focus on maintaining the more profitable international routes. However seasonal service was restored in late 2008 to St. Petersburg/Clearwater Airport from Chicago (O'Hare)
O'Hare International Airport
Chicago O'Hare International Airport , also known as O'Hare Airport, O'Hare Field, Chicago Airport, Chicago International Airport, or simply O'Hare, is a major airport located in the northwestern-most corner of Chicago, Illinois, United States, northwest of the Chicago Loop...
due to a decrease in oil prices, reduction in flights by competitors, and a demonstration of customer support.
In November 2008, Steven Harfst was named CEO.
In January 2009, USA 3000 submitted a Statement of Intent to the United States Transportation Command
United States Transportation Command
The United States Transportation Command is one of nine unified commands of the United States Department of Defense. The mission of USTRANSCOM is to provide air, land and sea transportation for the Department of Defense, both in time of peace and time of war.USTRANSCOM, located at Scott Air Force...
(USTRANSCOM) based at Scott Air Force Base
Scott Air Force Base
Scott Air Force Base is a base of the United States Air Force in St. Clair County, Illinois, near Belleville.-Overview:The base is named after Corporal Frank S. Scott, the first enlisted person to be killed in an aviation crash...
to be certified into the country’s Civil Reserve Air Fleet
Civil Reserve Air Fleet
The Civil Reserve Air Fleet is part of the United States's mobility resources. Selected aircraft from U.S. airlines, contractually committed to Civil Reserve Air Fleet, support United States Department of Defense airlift requirements in emergencies when the need for airlift exceeds the capability...
(CRAF). USA 3000 is now a certified CRAF air carrier, and is able to bid on the military’s domestic and short-range international charters. USA 3000 also currently seeks “Ad Hoc” charter opportunities to improve aircraft utilization and has enhanced the website to improve sales, customer service, and ancillary revenue opportunities.
USA 3000 ended all of its services from Detroit and Milwaukee in April 2009. citing poor demand and the current economic downturn. USA 3000 also ended service from Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
and Pittsburgh later that summer for the same reasons. However these services have since been offered seasonally.
The Fort Myers
Fort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers is the county seat and commercial center of Lee County, Florida, United States. Its population was 62,298 in the 2010 census, a 29.23 percent increase over the 2000 figure....
crew base was closed in March 2010. However, flight schedules from Southwest Florida International Airport
Southwest Florida International Airport
-Statistics:-Accidents and incidents:* November 28, 2007 - A single-engine fixed wing aircraft crashed about 9:20 a.m. one mile west of Runway 6. The crash killed the pilot...
would not be impacted, according to the USA 3000 CEO.
As of 2011, USA 3000 operated a fleet of 5 Airbus A320
Airbus A320
The Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001...
aircraft.
In November 2011, Apple Vacations decided to dissolve USA 3000 Airlines. Apple Vacations will now use other carriers such as Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines, Inc., is an American airline headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The carrier, which is a subsidiary and operating brand of Republic Airways Holdings, operates flights to 83 destinations throughout the United States, Mexico, and Costa Rica and maintains hubs at...
and AirTran
AirTran
AirTran may refer to:* AirTran Airways, a low cost airline* AirTran Holdings, an airline holding company* AirTran JetConnect, an outsourced and defunct brand operated by Air Wisconsin* Airtrans APM, an automated people mover system...
to transport their customers to the Caribbean.
All USA 3000 operations are expected to cease on January 8, 2012.
Destinations
Mexico
- Baja California SurBaja California SurBaja California Sur , is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. Before becoming a state on October 8, 1974, the area was known as the South Territory of Baja California. It has an area of , or 3.57% of the land mass of Mexico and comprises...
- San José del CaboSan José del CaboThe city of San José del Cabo is located in Baja California Sur Mexico and is the seat of the municipality of Los Cabos at the south end of the Baja California peninsula. In the 2010 census it had a population of 69,788. Together with neighboring Cabo San Lucas it forms a major tourist destination...
(Los Cabos International AirportLos Cabos International AirportLos Cabos International Airport is the seventh busiest airport in Mexico, located at San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico. The airport serves Los Cabos area: San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. This airport has three terminals with 4 concourses...
)
- San José del Cabo
- JaliscoJaliscoJalisco officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Jalisco is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is located in Western Mexico and divided in 125 municipalities and its capital city is Guadalajara.It is one of the more important states...
- Puerto VallartaPuerto VallartaPuerto Vallarta is a Mexican balneario resort city situated on the Pacific Ocean's Bahía de Banderas.The 2010 census reported Puerto Vallarta's population as 255,725 making it the sixth-largest city in the state of Jalisco...
(Lic. Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International AirportLic. Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International AirportLicenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport is an international airport located at Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco in Mexico. Located at the Pacific Ocean coast, it receives thousands of tourists all year. It handled 2,645,300 passengers in 2009 and 2,735,300 in 2010...
)
- Puerto Vallarta
- OaxacaOaxacaOaxaca , , officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Oaxaca is one of the 31 states which, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided into 571 municipalities; of which 418 are governed by the system of customs and traditions...
- HuatulcoHuatulcoHuatulco , centered on the town of La Crucecita, is a tourist development in Mexico. It is located on the Pacific coast in the state of Oaxaca. Huatulco's tourism industry is centered on its nine bays thus the name Bahias de Huatulco but has since been unofficially shortened to simply Huatulco...
(Bahías de Huatulco International AirportBahías de Huatulco International AirportBahías de Huatulco International Airport is an international airport located at Huatulco, in the state of Oaxaca on Mexico. The airport handles national and international air traffic for the Pacific coast south of the city of Oaxaca....
) [Seasonal]
- Huatulco
- Quintana RooQuintana RooQuintana Roo officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Quintana Roo is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 10 municipalities and its capital city is Chetumal....
- CancúnCancúnCancún is a city of international tourism development certified by the UNWTO . Located on the northeast coast of Quintana Roo in southern Mexico, more than 1,700 km from Mexico City, the Project began operations in 1974 as Integrally Planned Center, a pioneer of FONATUR Cancún is a city of...
(Cancún International AirportCancún International AirportCancún International Airport is located in Cancún, Quintana Roo, on the Caribbean coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. It is Mexico's second busiest airport, after Mexico City International Airport in Mexico City, but the biggest in Mexico and Latin America for International passengers...
) [ends January 2]
- Cancún
United States
- FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
- Fort MyersFort Myers, FloridaFort Myers is the county seat and commercial center of Lee County, Florida, United States. Its population was 62,298 in the 2010 census, a 29.23 percent increase over the 2000 figure....
(Southwest Florida International AirportSouthwest Florida International Airport-Statistics:-Accidents and incidents:* November 28, 2007 - A single-engine fixed wing aircraft crashed about 9:20 a.m. one mile west of Runway 6. The crash killed the pilot...
) [ends January 2]
- Fort Myers
- IllinoisIllinoisIllinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
- ChicagoChicagoChicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
(O'Hare International AirportO'Hare International AirportChicago O'Hare International Airport , also known as O'Hare Airport, O'Hare Field, Chicago Airport, Chicago International Airport, or simply O'Hare, is a major airport located in the northwestern-most corner of Chicago, Illinois, United States, northwest of the Chicago Loop...
) [ends January 2]
- Chicago
- MissouriMissouriMissouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
- St. LouisSt. Louis, MissouriSt. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
(Lambert-St. Louis International AirportLambert-St. Louis International AirportLambert-St. Louis International Airport is a Class B international airport serving Greater St. Louis. It is located approximately northwest of downtown St. Louis in unincorporated St. Louis County between Berkeley and Bridgeton. It is the largest and busiest airport in the state with 250 daily...
) [ends January 20]
- St. Louis
- OhioOhioOhio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
- ClevelandCleveland, OhioCleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
(Cleveland Hopkins International AirportCleveland Hopkins International AirportCleveland Hopkins International Airport is a public airport located nine miles southwest of the central business district of Cleveland, a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States. The airport lies just within the city limits of Cleveland...
) [ends December 5]
- Cleveland
- PennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaThe Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
- Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh International AirportPittsburgh International AirportPittsburgh International Airport , formerly Greater Pittsburgh Airport, Greater Pittsburgh International Airport and commonly referred to as Pittsburgh International, is a joint civil–military international airport located in the Pittsburgh suburb of Findlay Township, approximately west of...
) [ends December 5]
- Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh International Airport
Former destinations
- Aruba- OranjestadOranjestad, ArubaOranjestad is the capital and largest city of Aruba, which is in the Caribbean north of Venezuela. Oranjestad is located on the southern coast near the western end of the island country...
- Bahamas- Nassau
- Bermuda-Bermuda
- Dominican Republic- La Romana, Puerto Plata, Santo Domingo
- Mexico- Acapulco, Cozumel, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo
- St. Lucia- Vieux Fort
- United States– Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Columbus (OH), Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Hartford, Lansing, Melbourne (FL), Milwaukee, New York City (JFK), Newark, Orlando, Philadelphia, Richmond, Sarasota, St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Washington D.C. (Dulles)
Fleet
As of April 2010, USA3000 Airlines has 5 aircraft in its fleet consisting of:| Aircraft | Total | Orders | Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A320-200 Airbus A320 family The Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001... |
5 | 0 | 168 |
- As of February 2011, USA3000's average fleet age was 8.7 years old.
USA3000 Airlines flies a fleet composed of solely Airbus A320 jet aircraft that are configured with 168 seats in a single-class configuration.
Most planes were new, delivered from Airbus
Airbus
Airbus SAS is an aircraft manufacturing subsidiary of EADS, a European aerospace company. Based in Blagnac, France, surburb of Toulouse, and with significant activity across Europe, the company produces around half of the world's jet airliners....
.