Kiwi International Air Lines

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Disambiguation: For the New Zealand airline of the same name operating between 1994-1996 on trans-Tasman routes see:Kiwi Travel International Airlines

Kiwi International Air Lines (IATA: KP, ICAO: KIA, and Callsign: Kiwi Air) was a Part 121 American airline that operated from September 21, 1992, to March 23, 1999.

Formed by former Eastern and Pan Am pilots and managers, the airline relied on Boeing 727s for their flights. Originally, the intent was to purchase the Pan American Shuttle. When that failed to materialize, it was decided to start a new airline. The former airline employees had formed a group and called themselves Kiwis because they were no longer flying, just like the flightless kiwi birds. When it came time to name the new airline, it was decided to keep the association name.

Kiwi International Air Lines was plagued with problems almost throughout the company's existence: in 1994, reorganization was needed, and in 1996, the FAA temporarily forced Kiwi International to suspend its flights. This was because of alleged airplane maintenance problems, but the airline was allowed to fly again soon after. It should be noted that Kiwi International never had any major incidents or accidents.

In 1996, Kiwi filed for bankruptcy, suspending all operations.

In 1997, the airline was acquired by a medical doctor from Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Charles Edwards tried to revive the airline by receiving a 2.2-million dollar loan from Meecorp Capital Markets. He thought of using the loan to fix the eight airplanes that still remained in Kiwi's possession; this turned out too costly, however, because he would have had to pay a 15% annual interest rate [1], and the idea of returning Kiwi International Air Lines into the air again was eventually abandoned.

In 1999, Kiwi was forced into bankruptcy again and Kiwi had to stop flying again before that year was over.

[edit] Destinations

Aguadilla (Puerto Rico), Aruba, Atlanta, Bermuda, Boston, Chicago (Midway), Las Vegas, Miami, Newark, Orlando, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa, and West Palm Beach.

Kiwi had three hubs: