Empire Airlines
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1977
- HeadquartersHayden, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
Empire Airlines firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Empire Airlines
- Legal name
- Empire Airlines, Inc.
- Website
- https://empireairlines.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1977
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Empire Airlines industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Regional Cargo Air Transportation
- NAICS
- Scheduled Freight Air Transportation (481112), Scheduled Air Transportation (4811)
- SIC
- Air Transportation, Scheduled (4512), Air Courier Services (4513)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Scheduled Air Cargo Airlines (All-Cargo Carriers) (THABAEAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Express / Time-Definite Air Cargo Carriers (TLADAAAB)
Keywords
Where Empire Airlines is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hayden
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices10 records
Markets served
Empire Airlines business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- FedEx Cargo Feeder Operations: Empire Airlines operates under a contractual relationship with FedEx Express, where FedEx owns the aircraft and Empire Airlines conducts all flight operations. This includes scheduled cargo feeder flights throughout the western United States and Alaska, serving as the largest regional operator for FedEx.
- Empire Aerospace MRO Services: Provides state-of-the-art aircraft maintenance services including turbine engine maintenance, propeller maintenance, heavy checks, full avionics service, composite repair, and ATR passenger-to-cargo conversions for third-party customers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | 121 ATR Captain - Year 1 |
| Other | Annual | 121 ATR Captain - Year 2 |
| Other | Annual | 121 ATR 1st Officer |
| Other | Annual | 135 C408 Captain |
| Other | Annual | 135 C208 Captain |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | ATP-CTP Certification Assistance |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Empire Airlines product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Empire Airlines operates as a dedicated regional cargo feeder airline for FedEx Express, conducting scheduled cargo operations across the western United States and Alaska using a fleet of ATR and Cessna turboprop aircraft owned by FedEx. The company also delivers aircraft maintenance, repair, and modification services through its Empire Aerospace division (including specialized ATR passenger-to-cargo STC conversions), and provides commercial unmanned aerial systems (UAS) data services through Empire Unmanned.
Product overview
Empire Airlines is a cargo feeder airline operating as the largest regional operator for FedEx Express, with a fleet of ATR 42s, ATR 72s, ATR 72-600Fs, Cessna 208 Caravans, and Cessna 408 SkyCouriers. The company operates three divisions: Empire Airlines (cargo feeder operations), Empire Aerospace (maintenance and aircraft conversion services), and Empire Unmanned (commercial UAS services). The FedEx Purple Runway program provides pilot career pathways from feeder operations to FedEx mainline. Empire Aerospace specializes in ATR aircraft conversions including the ATR 72 passenger-to-cargo modification program.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Cargo Feeder Operations Scheduled regional cargo feeder operations for FedEx Express using a fleet of ATR 42s, ATR 72s, ATR 72-600Fs, Cessna 208 Caravans, and Cessna 408 SkyCouriers across the western United States and Alaska. FedEx owns the aircraft while Empire Airlines conducts all flight operations.
- Empire Aerospace MRO Services
Companies that use Empire Airlines
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Empire Airlines technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Empire Airlines partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- IPR Conversions (ACIA Aero Group)coreEmpire Aerospace was selected by IPR Conversions in 2016 to be a conversion center for their ATR42/72 Bulk Freighter and Large Cargo Door Freighter Supplemental Type Certification. Empire completed its first 3 conversions before the end of 2017 and has completed over 10 conversions to date.
- FedEx ExpresscoreFedEx has a contractual relationship with Empire Airlines with FedEx owning the aircraft and Empire Airlines conducting all flight aspects. Empire Airlines is an independent regional airline operating on behalf of FedEx Express as their largest regional cargo feeder operator.
- Mountain Air CargominorMountain Air Cargo is another eligible feeder airline partner in the FedEx Purple Runway Pathways Program alongside Empire Airlines and IFL Group.
- IFL GroupminorIFL Group is another eligible feeder airline partner in the FedEx Purple Runway Pathways Program alongside Empire Airlines and Mountain Air Cargo.
- Mission43minorIdaho-based organization providing veterans and their spouses with resources to make a successful transition from the military to civilian employment. Empire has partnered with this veteran advocacy organization.
- Hire Heroes USAminorVeteran employment organization that helps veterans begin careers with employment partners across a broad spectrum of industries. Empire has partnered with this veteran advocacy organization.
- DoD SkillBridge ProgramminorThe DoD SkillBridge Program helps transitioning service members gain valuable civilian work experience through industry training, apprenticeships or internships. Empire participates as an employment partner.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Empire Airlines competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Mountain Air Cargo: Mountain Air Cargo is a FedEx feeder airline operating a similar turboprop fleet in the eastern and southeastern United States. It is one of only a few eligible feeder partners in the FedEx Purple Runway program alongside Empire, making it the closest direct comparator for Empire's cargo feeder business.
- IFL Group: IFL Group operates contracted cargo feeder services for FedEx and is another eligible partner in the FedEx Purple Runway program. Its feeder operations, freight-focused fleet, and FedEx-dedicated model closely mirror Empire's core business.
- CSA Air: CSA Air is a regional cargo carrier providing FedEx feeder services across the upper Midwest and other regions. It shares Empire's model of operating dedicated FedEx feeder routes with small turboprop aircraft, serving smaller communities in regional networks.
- Ameriflight: Ameriflight is one of the largest U.S. regional cargo carriers, operating a feeder network for multiple integrators including FedEx, UPS, and DHL. It is directly comparable to Empire in cargo feeder operations, regional turboprop fleet, and express integrator relationships.
- Air Transport Services Group (ATSG): ATSG provides leased cargo aircraft and operates express/contract cargo flying for integrators including Amazon and DHL. It is comparable to Empire in the contracted express cargo model and in operating dedicated freight aircraft on behalf of a single large customer.
- Mesa Air Group: Mesa Air Group operates regional passenger flights under contract for major airlines. While Empire is cargo-focused, both are regional Part 121 operators with similar fleet sizes, contract-based revenue models, and exposure to pilot labor dynamics in the U.S. regional aviation market.
- Precision Aircraft Solutions: Precision Aircraft Solutions specializes in aircraft passenger-to-freighter conversions, including ATR 72 conversions. It directly competes with Empire Aerospace's ATR conversion STC program and is a key peer for Empire's MRO and conversion business.
Broad incumbents
- FedEx Express: FedEx Express is Empire's primary customer and the broader integrator that owns the aircraft Empire flies. As the largest U.S. express integrator, FedEx sits above Empire in the value chain and is the principal counterparty whose strategic decisions drive Empire's business.
- UPS Airlines: UPS Airlines is a major U.S. express integrator with its own regional feeder network. While not a direct customer or competitor for the same cargo, UPS is the closest analog to FedEx in the integrator space and a reference point for the broader market in which Empire operates.
- DHL Aviation: DHL Aviation is a global integrator with extensive cargo feeder operations. While not directly competing with Empire in the U.S. FedEx feeder network, DHL is a comparable global integrator whose feeder operating model and reliance on regional partners is structurally similar.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Empire Airlines social profiles
Digital presenceEmpire Airlines financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Empire Airlines leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Empire Airlines subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Empire Airlines funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Empire Airlines M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Empire Airlines
What does Empire Airlines do?
Empire Airlines operates as a dedicated regional cargo feeder airline for FedEx Express, conducting scheduled cargo operations across the western United States and Alaska using a fleet of ATR and Cessna turboprop aircraft owned by FedEx. The company also delivers aircraft maintenance, repair, and modification services through its Empire Aerospace division (including specialized ATR passenger-to-cargo STC conversions), and provides commercial unmanned aerial systems (UAS) data services through Empire Unmanned.
Is Empire Airlines a public or private company?
Empire Airlines is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Empire Airlines founded?
Empire Airlines was founded in 1977. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Empire Airlines based?
Empire Airlines is headquartered in Hayden, United States, in the North America region.
How does Empire Airlines make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. FedEx Cargo Feeder Operations are the primary driver. The others are empire Aerospace MRO Services.
Who are Empire Airlines's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Mountain Air Cargo, IFL Group, CSA Air, Ameriflight, Air Transport Services Group (ATSG), Mesa Air Group and Precision Aircraft Solutions. Broad incumbents are FedEx Express, UPS Airlines and DHL Aviation.
Does Empire Airlines have an API?
No public API is recorded for Empire Airlines.
What industry is Empire Airlines in?
Empire Airlines's product category is Regional Cargo Air Transportation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THABAEAA, Scheduled Air Cargo Airlines (All-Cargo Carriers), with a secondary code of TLADAAAB, Express / Time-Definite Air Cargo Carriers. Its NAICS code is 481112 and its SIC code is 4512.