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→History: Adder the flight operations using Piper Aztec aircraft. I work for Tag and managed the Cleveland maintenance base and will add additional details.
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{{short description|Flew between Detroit & Cleveland (1957-1970)}}
{{distinguish|Transportes Aéreos Guatemaltecos}}
{{distinguish|Transportes Aéreos Guatemaltecos}}
{{Infobox airline
| airline = TAG Airlines
| image =
| image_size =
| IATA =
| ICAO =
| callsign =
| founded = 1955 <br> <small>(as Taxi Air Group)</small>
| commenced =
| ceased = 7 August 1970
| hubs =
| secondary_hubs =
| focus_cities =
| frequent_flyer =
| lounge =
| alliance =
| subsidiaries =
| fleet_size =
| destinations =
| parent = {{nowrap|Miller Oil <small>(1957-1968)</small>}}
| company_slogan =
⚫
| headquarters = [[Detroit City Airport]]
| key_people = Ross Miller
| website =
}}
[[Image:TAGAirlines.jpg|frame|right]]
[[Image:TAGAirlines.jpg|frame|right]]

'''TAG Airlines''' was a small airline serving primarily Downtown Cleveland, Ohio with [[Downtown Detroit]], [[Michigan]] from 1957 until 1970.
'''TAG Airlines''' was a small airline serving primarily [[Burke Lakefront Airport]] in [[Cleveland, Ohio]] with [[Detroit City Airport]], [[Detroit, Michigan]] from 1957. Achieved [[Civil Aeronautics Board]] airline certification in October 1969 in order to fly larger aircraft, only to suffer a crash in January 1970 and cease operations later that year. TAG's certification was picked up by competitor [[Wright Air Lines]] in 1972.


==History==
==History==
⚫
[[File:TAG Airlines Dove.jpg|thumb|left|Dove at Detroit City Airport 1969]]
⚫
It was founded by William Knight in [[Cleveland, Ohio]] as '''Taxi Air Group''' in {{start date and age|1955|p=y}}, was then sold to Ross Miller, merged with '''Illini Airlines''' in 1957 and definitely renamed.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.stanwing.com/TAG%20Airlines%20Pilot%20Hat%20Badge| title = TAG Airlines | publisher = Stanwing | accessdate = 7 April 2020}}</ref>
⚫
[[File:TAG Airlines de Havilland Dove Aircraft.jpg |thumb|left|Dove in Detroit City Airport hangar]]
Its slogan was "The World's Busiest Airline", and it served airports that were 5–15 minutes from the downtown areas, mainly in [[Detroit]], [[Michigan]], and [[Cleveland, Ohio]]. The business closed not long after one of its [[de Havilland Dove]]s crashed into frozen [[Lake Erie]] in {{end date and age|1970|01|p=y}}, killing all nine people aboard. The cause of the crash was found to be a fatigue crack in a fitting in the wing root resulting in failure of the right wing.<ref name="disaster"> [https://www.gendisasters.com/ohio/4801/cleveland,-oh-plane-plunges-lake-erie,-jan-1970 "Searchers continue hunt for 9 victims, Lake Erie plane crash"], ''Lima Daily News'' (January 29, 1970). Retrieved 2018-07-09.</ref>
⚫
TAG was founded by William Knight in [[Cleveland, Ohio]] as '''Taxi Air Group''' in 1955, was then sold to Ross Miller, merged with '''Illini Airlines''' in 1957 and definitely renamed.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.stanwing.com/TAG%20Airlines%20Pilot%20Wing.html| title = TAG Airlines | publisher = Stanwing | accessdate = 7 April 2020}}</ref>
Tag started operations with single pilot Piper Aztec aircraft in 1964 to Columbus, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Huntington WV.
Its slogan was "The World's Busiest Airline". TAG was best known for was its high frequency service from Burke Lakefront airport in Cleveland and Detroit City Airport. An October 1969 schedule showed 22 weekday flights per day each way, six on Saturday and ten on Sunday.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/tag/tag6910/tag6910i.jpg|title=October 26, 1969 TAG timetable, pg 2|publisher=Airline Timetable Images|website=timetableimages.com|language=en|access-date=14 May 2024}}</ref> The volume of passengers flown between these airports challenged the total passengers flown by [[trunk carrier]]s and [[local service carrier]] between [[Cleveland Hopkins Airport]] and [[Detroit Metro Airport]], despite the use by TAG of small [[de Havilland Dove]] aircraft (augmented by [[Piper Aztec]]s). From 1957 through 1968, Ross Miller and his wife owned TAG through their oil company, Miller Oil. Thereafter, they owned it separately from the oil company<ref name="cert"/> and incorporated it in Michigan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_mi/800459576|title=TAG Airlines Michigan incorporation, 27 June 1968|publisher=Open Corporates|website=opencorporates.com|access-date=14 May 2024}}</ref>


On October 28, 1969, the U.S. [[Civil Aeronautics Board]] (which at the time regulated all US airline service, other than "air taxi" operations with aircraft of less than 12,500lbs) awarded a certificate of public convenience and necessity to TAG to fly "large" aircraft between Burke and Detroit City Airport. In this case, TAG proposed acquiring two [[Fokker F27]] turboprops, with a plan to later upgrade to [[Fokker F28]] jets. In this, TAG was challenged by [[Wright Air Lines]], which had been offering competing service on that route since 1966. Wright proposed using [[Convair 240]] aircraft if it was awarded certification instead. The CAB preferred the idea of F27s. At the time, TAG's fleet comprised six Doves and four Aztecs.<ref name="cert">{{cite journal|journal=Civil Aeronautics Board Reports|volume=52|title=TAG Airlines, Cleveland-Detroit Certificate|pages=579-609|date=August-November 1969|url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/osu.32435022360226 |hdl=2027/osu.32435022360226}}</ref>
==Destinations<ref>[http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/tag.htm TAG Airlines timetables, 1961 and 1965]</ref>==
⚫
[[File:TAG Airlines Dove.jpg|thumb|TAG Airlines de Havilland Dove at Detroit City Airport in 1969]]
⚫
[[File:TAG Airlines de Havilland Dove Aircraft.jpg |thumb| Tag Airlines de Havilland Dove in the hangar at Detroit City Airport]]


Unfortunately, on 28 January 1970, TAG flight 730 from Cleveland to Detroit crashed into frozen [[Lake Erie]] killing all nine people aboard the Dove.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1970/01/29/archives/9-lost-in-lake-erie-crash.html ''9 Lost in Lake Erie Crash'', New York Times, January 29, 1970]</ref> The cause of the crash was found to be a fatigue crack in a fitting in the wing root resulting in failure of the right wing.<ref>{{cite web|title=Record DCA70AZ006 in NTSB accident data base|url=https://www.ntsb.gov/Pages/brief.aspx?ev_id=3851|publisher=National Transportation Safety Board|website=ntsb.gov|language=en|access-date=14 May 2024}}</ref> In July, TAG and Wright approve a merger between the two, in part because TAG was in dire financial shape in the wake of the crash. The CAB rejected the merger, upon which TAG stopped operating on August 7. The response of the CAB was to direct TAG to resume operations within 90 days.<ref name="cert">{{cite journal|journal=Civil Aeronautics Board Reports|volume=55|title=Dockets 22034, 22457, 22458 Wright-TAG Merger Case—order 70-9-135 adopted September 28, 1970.|pages=929-932|date=September-December 1970|url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/osu.32437011657711 |hdl=2027/osu.32437011657711}}</ref>
*[[Cincinnati, Ohio]]
⚫
*[[Cleveland, Ohio]] (Burke Lakefront Airport)<ref>Tag Airlines timetable May 1, 1961</ref>
*[[Columbus, Ohio]]
⚫
*[[Detroit]], [[Michigan]] ([[Detroit City Airport]])
*[[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]]
*[[Akron, Ohio]]<ref>"Airline to Fly Into Akron Port", ''Akron Beacon Journal'' (March 21, 1958).</ref>
⚫
*[[Chicago, Illinois]] (Meigs Field)<ref>Tag Airlines timetable May 1, 1961</ref>


==Destinations==
TAG timetables, and other sources as indicated, show the following destinations for TAG:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/tag.htm|title=TAG Airlines (USA)|publisher=Airline Timetable Images|website=timetableimages.com|language=en|access-date=14 May 2024}}</ref>
{{col div}}
⚫
*[[Chicago, Illinois]] ([[Meigs Field]])
*[[Cincinnati, Ohio]] ([[Lunken Airport]])<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/104491186 ''TAG Airlines Suspends Flights From Cincinnati'', Cincinnati Enquirer, March 3, 1966]</ref>
⚫
*[[Cleveland, Ohio]] (Burke Lakefront Airport)
*[[Columbus, Ohio]] ([[CMH Airport|Port Columbus Airport]])
*[[Detroit]], [[Michigan]] (Detroit City Airport) - headquarters
*[[Huntington, West Virginia]] ([[HTS Airport|Tri Cities Airport]])
*[[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]] ([[Allegheny County Airport]])<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/149238413 ''Air Taxi to Cleveland Service Set'', December 7, 1965]</ref>
*[[Akron, Ohio]]<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/1061364268 ''Akron-Detroit Flights to Be Stopped Oct. 1'', Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 25, 1958]</ref>
{{col div end}}
== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[List of defunct airlines of the United States]]
* [[List of defunct airlines of the United States]]
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{{Portal bar|Companies|Aviation}}
{{Portal bar|Companies|Aviation}}
{{Airlines of the United States}}
{{Airlines of the United States}}
{{US-airline-stub}}


[[Category:Defunct airlines of the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct airlines of the United States]]
[[Category:Airlines established in 1957]]
[[Category:Airlines established in 1955]]
[[Category:Airlines disestablished in 1970]]
[[Category:Airlines disestablished in 1970]]

Revision as of 22:48, 14 May 2024

Not to be confused with Transportes Aéreos Guatemaltecos.
TAG Airlines
Founded1955
(as Taxi Air Group)
Ceased operations7 August 1970
Parent companyMiller Oil (1957-1968)
HeadquartersDetroit City Airport
Key peopleRoss Miller

TAG Airlines was a small airline serving primarily Burke Lakefront Airport in Cleveland, Ohio with Detroit City Airport, Detroit, Michigan from 1957. Achieved Civil Aeronautics Board airline certification in October 1969 in order to fly larger aircraft, only to suffer a crash in January 1970 and cease operations later that year. TAG's certification was picked up by competitor Wright Air Lines in 1972.

History

Dove at Detroit City Airport 1969
Dove in Detroit City Airport hangar

TAG was founded by William Knight in Cleveland, Ohio as Taxi Air Group in 1955, was then sold to Ross Miller, merged with Illini Airlines in 1957 and definitely renamed.[1] Its slogan was "The World's Busiest Airline". TAG was best known for was its high frequency service from Burke Lakefront airport in Cleveland and Detroit City Airport. An October 1969 schedule showed 22 weekday flights per day each way, six on Saturday and ten on Sunday.[2] The volume of passengers flown between these airports challenged the total passengers flown by trunk carriers and local service carrier between Cleveland Hopkins Airport and Detroit Metro Airport, despite the use by TAG of small de Havilland Dove aircraft (augmented by Piper Aztecs). From 1957 through 1968, Ross Miller and his wife owned TAG through their oil company, Miller Oil. Thereafter, they owned it separately from the oil company[3] and incorporated it in Michigan.[4]

On October 28, 1969, the U.S. Civil Aeronautics Board (which at the time regulated all US airline service, other than "air taxi" operations with aircraft of less than 12,500lbs) awarded a certificate of public convenience and necessity to TAG to fly "large" aircraft between Burke and Detroit City Airport. In this case, TAG proposed acquiring two Fokker F27 turboprops, with a plan to later upgrade to Fokker F28 jets. In this, TAG was challenged by Wright Air Lines, which had been offering competing service on that route since 1966. Wright proposed using Convair 240 aircraft if it was awarded certification instead. The CAB preferred the idea of F27s. At the time, TAG's fleet comprised six Doves and four Aztecs.[3]

Unfortunately, on 28 January 1970, TAG flight 730 from Cleveland to Detroit crashed into frozen Lake Erie killing all nine people aboard the Dove.[5] The cause of the crash was found to be a fatigue crack in a fitting in the wing root resulting in failure of the right wing.[6] In July, TAG and Wright approve a merger between the two, in part because TAG was in dire financial shape in the wake of the crash. The CAB rejected the merger, upon which TAG stopped operating on August 7. The response of the CAB was to direct TAG to resume operations within 90 days.[3]

Destinations

TAG timetables, and other sources as indicated, show the following destinations for TAG:[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ "TAG Airlines". Stanwing. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  2. ^ "October 26, 1969 TAG timetable, pg 2". timetableimages.com. Airline Timetable Images. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "TAG Airlines, Cleveland-Detroit Certificate". Civil Aeronautics Board Reports. 52: 579–609. August–November 1969. hdl:2027/osu.32435022360226.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date format (link) Cite error: The named reference "cert" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  4. ^ "TAG Airlines Michigan incorporation, 27 June 1968". opencorporates.com. Open Corporates. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  5. ^ 9 Lost in Lake Erie Crash, New York Times, January 29, 1970
  6. ^ "Record DCA70AZ006 in NTSB accident data base". ntsb.gov. National Transportation Safety Board. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  7. ^ "TAG Airlines (USA)". timetableimages.com. Airline Timetable Images. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  8. ^ TAG Airlines Suspends Flights From Cincinnati, Cincinnati Enquirer, March 3, 1966
  9. ^ Air Taxi to Cleveland Service Set, December 7, 1965
  10. ^ Akron-Detroit Flights to Be Stopped Oct. 1, Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 25, 1958
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