COMMUTAIRE INTERNATIONAL AIRWAYS
Commutaire International Airways Inc. was incorporated in 1975 with the intention of providing inter-county air shuttle flights in south Florida. After months of delays, flights commenced in March 1976 between Miami, Key Largo (Port Largo Airport), Boca Raton and West Palm Beach using nine-passenger Britten Norman BN-2 Islander aircraft.
The airline was founded by Ron Infantino, a survivor of the crash of Eastern Air Lines flight 401 in the Everglades in 1972. During his recovery, Infantino became a devout Christian and decided to form the airline with like-minded investors as a way to serve the Lord. The Biblical symbol of the Holy spirit, the dove, became the company logo and God was listed as chairman of the board in the minutes of the company's business meetings. Mr. Infantino claimed it was God himself who organized the airline.
Unfortunately, sufficient demand for air travel on the short hops between Boca Raton, Key Largo, Miami and Palm Beach never materialized and the company ceased all flights in July 1976 after only four months of operation.
The airline was founded by Ron Infantino, a survivor of the crash of Eastern Air Lines flight 401 in the Everglades in 1972. During his recovery, Infantino became a devout Christian and decided to form the airline with like-minded investors as a way to serve the Lord. The Biblical symbol of the Holy spirit, the dove, became the company logo and God was listed as chairman of the board in the minutes of the company's business meetings. Mr. Infantino claimed it was God himself who organized the airline.
Unfortunately, sufficient demand for air travel on the short hops between Boca Raton, Key Largo, Miami and Palm Beach never materialized and the company ceased all flights in July 1976 after only four months of operation.
Below: Islander N856JA (msn 106) was apparently the sole aircraft operated by Commutaire. It is pictured here on the gravel ramp of the now closed Port Largo Airport.
Commutaire International Airways timetable effective April 1, 1976. Courtesy of Björn Larsson.
Another view of BN-2 Islander N856JA circa 1976. This looks like it was taken at Ft. Lauderdale.
This route map is based on Commutaire International's timetable effective June 10, 1976, which shows the addition of Ft. Lauderdale. Created with Great Circle Mapper.
RELATED PAGE: Port Largo- The Florida Keys' Forgotten Airport
