Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
CHEROKEE AIRLINES
CHEROKEE AIRLINES. Beginning on March 4, 1991 Dubuque residents were able to fly to Des Moines without first flying to Chicago. Cherokee Airlines, a new division of Vasi Charter Air based in Waterloo, began providing twice weekly flights from Dubuque to Des Moines. (1) When a survey of interest showed there was interest in a regular flight to Des Moines, Vasi agreed to charge passengers a flat $150 round trip. (2)
Cherokee was the Dubuque airport's third airline providing regular flights. AMERICAN EAGLE AIRLINES flew to Chicago and NORTHWEST AIRLINK flew to Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Problems for the new carrier appeared by May, 1991. Initially a twice weekly schedule was announced. To boost participation, the carrier announced it would make the flight any four days of the week and a two-for-one ticket promotion was offered. Despite efforts of the Chamber of Commerce and airport officials, flights were leaving with only one or two passengers when a minimum of three were needed. (3)
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Source:
1. Gilson, Donna. "Cherokee Will Offer Flights Twice Weekly to Des Moines," Telegraph Herald, February 9, 1991, p. 3A.
2. Gilson, Donna. "Dubuque-to Des Moines Air Service Flounders," Telegraph Herald, May 22, 1991, p. 1
3. Ibid.
