Arizona Airways was an airline that first flew during the 1940s and into 1950. In the middle 1990s, the airline was revived for a short period.

History

1942 to 1950

Rocky Nelson , an Arizona entrepreneur, formed the airline in 1942, using DC-3 aircraft to fly passengers from Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix, to other, nearby destinations, including Prescott Airport in Prescott, Arizona, Tucson International Airport and others.

The airline was very popular among Arizonans. It was the subject of an article on the Arizona Highways magazine in 1947. But Arizona Airways faced heavy competition from other carriers, and its operating costs were high due to high demand for parts and fuel as World War II raged in Europe, two factors which negatively affected the airline's economy. Eventually, the original Arizona Airways was merged, along with two other airlines, into Frontier Airlines on June 1 of 1950. Rocky Nelson passed away in 1951.

1995 to 1996

The airline reappeared for a short period, from 1995 to 1996. The reincarnation of Arizona Airways featured Dornier and Fairchild propeller airplanes that used the flag of Arizona as livery.

Once again, the airline was headquartered at Sky Harbor International airport, flying flights across the state, to some northwestern cities of Mexico and to adyacent states from Phoenix.

Much attention was placed to advertisement detail the second time around, and the airline was featured on multiple billboard signs across Phoenix.

However, Arizona Airways was once again troubled with competition, especially by America West Airlines and Mesa Airlines. In 1996, the airline went bankrupt.