Air Cargo Management

Reliable Airlines to open new hangar in Albuquerque

Reliable Airlines ribbon cutting ceremony
photo_camera Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury, Reliable Airlines' President Tom Klassen, Director Richard McCurley and Manny Manriquez from the City of Albuquerque Aviation along with Reliable Airlines team members and other guests. Credit: reliableairlines.com/Business Wire

Albuquerque-based cargo airline, Reliable Airlines, has announced it is to open a new 10,000sq ft hangar and facility.

To mark this expansion news at Albuquerque International Sunport airport, Reliable Airlines recently hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by guests including federal, city and state officials, and airport and chamber executives.

Reliable Airlines states that the aerospace sector locally is thriving, and employs nearly 16,000 professionals, contributing $2 billion to regional GDP in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The airline operates cargo feeder routes and is actively recruiting line pilots with experience flying the Caravan to join its team.

Reliable Airlines is a Part 135 airline founded in 2004. In 2022, the company relocated its central base of operation to Albuquerque to provide air cargo services.

The airline is the first new Federal Aviation Regulations Part 135 carrier to launch cargo flights for FedEx Express in more than 25 years.

US Senator Martin Heinrich, said: “Throughout my time in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, I’ve worked hard to position New Mexico at the nation’s centre of innovation and leadership on advanced technologies.

“The important work Reliable Airlines is doing in our state to improve aviation safety and strengthen national security is crucial to helping us achieve that goal.

“I look forward to continuing our work together to connect underserved communities to new opportunities, grow our economy, and support careers New Mexicans can build their families around.”

US Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury, said: “New Mexico’s first congressional district plays a pivotal role in pioneering innovative aerospace technologies that move our nation forward.

“Encouraging and attracting young people to careers in STEM is a priority of mine, and the advanced automation technologies that will be part of the Reliable Airlines fleet represent a bright future for aviation in Albuquerque.”

Reliable Airlines operates daily cargo flights from Albuquerque Sunport to Gallup, Farmington, and Durango, Colorado with a fleet of five Cessna 208 Caravan aircraft.

The airline has a 99.9 per cent reliability rate in flight operations and 100 per cent of cargo has made service.

Reliable Airlines has brought pilots, high tech aircraft maintenance professionals and air carrier operations jobs to the local area, and expects future expansion in 2024 with additional bases around the country.

Richard McCurley, director of aviation for the City of Albuquerque, said: “We welcome Reliable Airlines to the aviation family at Albuquerque International Sunport with open arms.

“Reliable Airlines is advancing the industry through the deployment of game-changing technology, and we are excited to support them in this endeavour.”

Reliable Airlines is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reliable Robotics Corporation, which is bringing to market aviation safety-enhancing technologies, including auto-land, auto-taxi, and auto-take-off, as well as high-integrity navigation and remote piloting capabilities.

The Reliable autonomous flight system will initially be deployed on the Cessna Caravan, a popular cargo aircraft that serves regional airports, and can be adapted for use on almost any aircraft.

Tom Klassen, president and director of operations for Reliable Airlines, said: “Reliable Airlines will lead the way in operating the nation’s first Part 135 cargo airline leveraging FAA-certified advanced automation.

“The investment in infrastructure and continuous improvements we see at Sunport make this an ideal home base for our growing cargo airline and we are grateful to be part of this community.”

DID YOU KNOW…

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Aviation sector firms and companies can register to take part in this independent survey. Next year ABN will reveal the results with firms that make the grade entitled to call themselves one of the world’s Best Places To Work In Aviation.

You can find out more information at the Best Places To Work In Aviation Awards website.

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