Crystal Shamrock Airlines

Crystal Shamrock Airlines
IATA ICAO Call sign
— CYT Crystal Air
Founded1959; 66 years ago (1959)
Commenced operations1972; 53 years ago (1972)
Ceased operations1991; 34 years ago (1991)
Operating basesMinneapolis Crystal Airport
Fleet size3

Crystal Shamrock Airlines was a former charter airline based at the Minneapolis Crystal Airport. It was founded in 1966, and started operation on 5th August 1975.[1] Operations ceased in 1991 and was dissolved on 4th October 1991.[2] The airline was founded by the FBO Crystal Shamrock. The airline primarily operated charter flights using Douglas DC-3 aircraft.[3] The primary summer use was Canadian fishing trips. In the winter, Crystal Shamrock used its DC3s to transport college football and basketball teams, and many rock bands.[4]

History

On August 5, 1975, the airline started service with one round trip flight between Minneapolis, Fargo, and Bismarck North Dakota during the August 1975 Northwest Airlines strike.[5][6][7]

The airline flew displaced passengers between Chicago and Omaha during a 1975 strike by United Airlines machinists.[8] The route also had stop in Des Moines, Iowa.[9]

For one week in May 1978 the airline provided service from Minneapolis, Fargo, and Jamestown North Dakota. Shamrock discontinued service when North Central Airlines inaugurated service on a route from Bismarck, Fargo, North Dakota, Minneapolis and Chicago.[10][11]

Marian Erickson was promoted from vice president to president in December 1978. She succeeded Lee Gilligan, who became Chairman of the Airline.[12]

A charter flight from Minneapolis via Sioux Falls, South Dakota to Harlingen, Texas was offered to see the October 4, 1979 Commemorative Air Force air show.[13]

In 1980 the airline transported Herb Brooks and the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team to Warroad, Minnesota, to play the local high school team.[4]

in 1982 the airline offered chartered 3 and 6 day travel packages to Wollaston Lake Lodge in Saskatchewan Canada.[14]

During a charter flight with passengers from Rochester, Minnesota, a Piper Apache collided with the front end of the company's DC-3 while on the ground in Springfield, Missouri.[15]

Fleet

  • 2 × PC12
  • 1 X C525
  • 1 X TBM850
  • 1 X P2006T
  • 1 X C162
  • 5 X C172
  • 2 X RV12
  • 1 X C182
  • 1 X S22T
  • 1 X SR20

See also

References

  1. ^ "Crystal Shamrock Airlines history from Americas, USA". Airline History. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
  2. ^ "Crystal Shamrock Airlines history from Americas, USA". Airline History. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
  3. ^ Foster, Tom (January 2015). "Airport of the Month". Minnesota Flyer.
  4. ^ a b "Midwest Flyer Magazine, October/November 2009 issue" (PDF).
  5. ^ "Airline schedule Northwest routes to North Dakota". Minneapolis Star. August 5, 1975. p. 5a.
  6. ^ Sturdevant, Lori (August 6, 1975). "8,500 NWA employees are laid off as strike by pilots continues". Minneapolis Tribune. p. 11a.
  7. ^ "Gap between pilots, NWA no narrower". Minneapolis Star. August 6, 1975. p. 6b.
  8. ^ Blumenthal, Ralph (December 12, 1975). "United Airlines' Strike Snarling Holiday Travel". New York Times. p. 25.
  9. ^ "Substitute airline gives customers chilling rides". Minneapolis Tribune. December 22, 1975. p. 8C.
  10. ^ Allen, Frank (May 9, 1978). "North Dakota climbs aboard North Central's new flights". Minneapolis Star. p. 6b.
  11. ^ "N.D. airline begins service to Minneapolis". Minneapolis Tribune. May 18, 1978. p. 9a.
  12. ^ "People". Minneapolis Star. September 21, 1979. p. 14c.
  13. ^ "Airshow". Minneapolis Tribune. February 21, 1982. p. 17D.
  14. ^ "Fish Canada's Far North". Minneapolis Tribune. February 21, 1982. p. 8e.
  15. ^ "Joking about DC3 ended after collision with other airplane". Minneapolis Star and Tribune. August 26, 1983. p. 2B.