STATE AIRLINES
On November 1, 1981, State Airlines began scheduled flights between Ft. Lauderdale and Sarasota. Service was soon expanded to include a Ft. Myers – Sarasota – Tallahassee – Albany, GA route, and Bimini – Ft. Lauderdale – Sarasota. As Provincetown Boston Airline grew to nearly monopolize Florida's west coast, State Airlines expanded eastward into the Bahamas. By late 1983, the airline was serving Androstown, Chub Cay, Great Harbour Cay, Marsh Harbour, North Eleuthera, San Andros, and Treasure Cay as well as Key West in addition to Ft. Lauderdale and Bimini. The airline also had a brief stint in both West Palm Beach and Marathon in 1984 but found it nearly impossible to compete against the well-established PBA. After a short two and a half years in business, State Airlines stopped flying in mid 1984.
State Airlines timetable effective April 1, 1982 shows service on a single Sarasota / Bradenton - Tallahassee route. Aircraft types flown by State Airlines included Beech Baron, Cessna 401 and Piper Navajo Chieftain equipment.
Stat Airlines route map based on the above April 1, 1982 timetable. Created with Great Circle Mapper.
Advertisement from the June 2, 1982 edition of the Fort Myers News-Press announcing new flights between Tallahassee and Fort Myers.
