|
Over the years, our town has had two companies called Pittsburgh Airways, one beginning in 1929 and the other (shown here) in 1962. Each these companies lasted only one year, but they both left their mark on the history of aviation in the Steel City. The first Pittsburgh Airways company was a passenger service financed by Oliver M. Kaufmann and operated by ex-Navy pilot James G. Condon and Theodore Taney. With two six-seat monoplanes, the company offered flights from Pittsburgh's Bettis Field to New York City, with a stop in Philadelphia. It was the first passenger liner spanning the Allegheny Mountains. The company gained in popularity, and by 1930 was making daily flights to the Big Apple. Unfortunately, the company could not turn a profit and attempts to gain airmail contracts and a larger market share failed. Pittsburgh Airways was dissolved later that year.
In 1962, a group of investors began another version of Pittsburgh Airways, this time involving helicopter passenger service from downtown Pittsburgh to either Greater Pittsburgh Airport (eight-minute flight) or the Allegheny County Airport (five-minute flight). The fares were competitive with a taxi, which at the time could run upwards of $4.00 per ride. Pittsburgh Airways obtained lease of 160 feet of the Monongahela Wharf, at the foot of Wood Street next to the Gateway Clipper Fleet mooring. Operating a seven-passenger helicopter, the company began offering regular flights on July 30, 1962, amid much fanfare. The Pittsburgh heliport was the first of its kind in the country.
Despite plans for up to forty flights per week and increased service during peak times, low ridership, high operating costs and the inability of the company to attract additional investment capital spelled the end for Pittsburgh Airways. In November 1963, the company was dissolved.
|
