Air Greco, Inc. d/b/a Wings Air

OST-2008-0154 - Statement of Authorization - Commuter Air Carrier Authority (Athens/Macon-Atlanta)

May 5, 2008

Application for Commuter Air Carrier Authorization - Bookmarked

Wings Air requests authority to engage in scheduled passenger operations as a commuter air carrier and plans to operate initially between Athens and Macon, Georgia, on one hand, and Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on the other. Wings Air's fleet of passenger aircraft is ideally suited for these short-range shuttle operations that will afford residents of northern and central Georgia a convenient, speedy and cost-effective alternative to ground transportation to and from ATL. Wings Air anticipates that essentially all passengers utilizing these flights will connect to/from the broad array of domestic and foreign air transportation available at ATL, and the carrier will structure its service and schedules accordingly.

Because Athens-ATL and Macon-ATL are essential air service markets for which Wings Air proposes to be selected as the EAS provider, information responsive to section 204.4 of the Department's regulations is included.

Organized in 1996, Wings Air operated initially as a single-aircraft, Part 135 carrier operating in the South Florida area, predominantly Fort Lauderdale, and flying most of its missions to and from that area and the Bahamas. In 2005, the company was acquired by Charles Mintz and Robert Rupard and was subsequently moved to North Georgia to cater to charter customers traveling frequently between the Atlanta area and resort destinations such as Charleston/Kiawah Island, South Carolina, Destin, Florida, and St. Simons Island, Georgia. Since its relocation to the Atlanta area Wings Air's fleet has expanded to a total of five nine-passenger aircraft, with the company's business expanding commensurately. During this same time frame substantial equity investments have been received from a variety of minority shareholders.

In 2007, the company began preparations to become a DOT Commuter Air Carrier and FAA Part 135 Commuter airline, with plans to expand its scope of operations to include scheduled service between Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and Athens, Georgia, and between Atlanta and Macon, Georgia. Wings Air continues toward that objective with the filing of the present application.

Counsel: Garofalo Goerlich, Aaron Goerlich, 202-776-3974, agoerlich@ggh-airlaw.com