Air New Orleans

Despite its name, the airline's original headquarters was in Panama City, Florida with some executive offices being located in New Orleans. However, in 1986, the airline moved its headquarters to Birmingham, Alabama, and was located there until its closure in 1988.

In June 1986, Air New Orleans was operating service as a Continental Express air carrier via a code sharing agreement with Continental Airlines in order to provide passenger feed in and out of New Orleans (MSY) flown with British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 31 and Beechcraft C99 commuter turboprops. By early 1987, Air New Orleans was operating Continental Express service between New Orleans and Birmingham, AL (BHM), Gulfport, MS (GPT), Fort Walton Beach, FL (VPS), Jacksonville, FL (JAX), Mobile, AL (MOB), Orlando, FL (MCO), Panama City, FL (PFN), Pensacola, FL (PNS) and Tallahassee, FL (TLH) according to the Feb. 1, 1987 Continental Airlines system timetable.

By January 1988, the airline would file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and would subsequently cease operation on June 17, 1988.

Fleet

8 – Beechcraft C99 turboprops

5 – Piper Aircraft twin piston engine commuter

4 – British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 31 turboprops

? – GAF Nomad

Accidents and incidents

On May 26, 1987, a Continental Express flight, operated by Air New Orleans with a British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 31 commuter propjet (Registration N331CY) flying as flight 962, crash landed just after takeoff from New Orleans International Airport. The plane crashed into eight lanes of traffic on U.S. 61 adjacent to the airfield and subsequently injured two persons on the ground. Of the 11 occupants on board, there were zero fatalities. The cause of the crash was attributed to pilot error, including failing to follow checklists.