An ASA EMB 120 crashes in Brunswick, Georgia, killing all 23 aboard including Sen. John Tower and astronaut Sonny Carter.

Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA) was a prominent American regional carrier, headquartered at the A-Tech Center in College Park, Georgia. For many years, ASA played a crucial role in connecting passengers to larger airline networks, primarily operating as a Delta Connection carrier on behalf of Delta Air Lines. This partnership, facilitated by a code-sharing agreement, allowed ASA to serve an impressive 144 destinations, extending Delta's reach to smaller markets and offering seamless travel experiences for millions of passengers.

By February 2010, ASA expanded its operational scope by commencing service as a United Express carrier through a separate code-sharing agreement with United Airlines. This strategic move demonstrated ASA's flexibility and capability to serve multiple major airline partners. At its peak, ASA was a significant player in regional aviation, operating nearly 900 flights each day, contributing substantially to the daily flow of air traffic. Its main operational hub was strategically located at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), which is not only one of the busiest airports in the world but also a major hub for Delta Air Lines, creating a natural synergy for ASA's Delta Connection services.

ASA itself was a wholly owned subsidiary of SkyWest, Inc., a holding company with interests in several regional airlines. The landscape of regional aviation, however, is dynamic, often characterized by mergers and acquisitions designed to optimize operations and consolidate market share. Following a significant merger in 2010 with ExpressJet, another major regional carrier, Atlantic Southeast Airlines began a period of transition. By 2011, ASA officially adopted the ExpressJet name and branding, marking the end of the Atlantic Southeast Airlines identity as a standalone brand.

The integration process culminated in November 2011 when ASA and ExpressJet successfully received a single operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This critical milestone allowed for the complete unification of their operational procedures and fleets. Consequently, by December 2011, all flights previously operated under the ASA banner were then operated by the newly consolidated ExpressJet, continuing to serve its major airline code-sharing partners, including Delta and United.

Notable Incidents: Atlantic Southeast Airlines Flight 2311

Tragically, Atlantic Southeast Airlines experienced a significant accident involving Flight 2311, a regularly scheduled commuter flight on April 5, 1991. This flight departed from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, heading for Glynco Jetport in Brunswick, Georgia (an airport since renamed Brunswick Golden Isles Airport).

The aircraft operating this flight was a twin-turboprop Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia, a popular regional aircraft known for its efficiency on shorter routes. However, during its approach to the airport for landing, Flight 2311 crashed just north of Brunswick. The devastating accident resulted in the loss of all 23 people on board, including both passengers and crew. Among the passengers were two highly prominent individuals: NASA Astronaut Sonny Carter, who had flown on a Space Shuttle mission, and former United States Senator John Tower of Texas, a respected political figure. Their deaths brought national attention to the tragedy.

Adding to the airline's safety record concerns, another Embraer Brasilia operated by ASA crashed approximately four years later in the Georgia countryside. This subsequent incident occurred under remarkably similar circumstances to Flight 2311, leading to another nine fatalities. These two accidents prompted extensive investigations into the aircraft type and operational procedures within regional aviation, underscoring the critical importance of continuous safety enhancements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What was Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA)?
Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA) was an American regional airline based in College Park, Georgia. It primarily operated as a Delta Connection and later as a United Express carrier, providing feeder flights to larger airline hubs under code-sharing agreements.
When did ASA cease to exist as an independent brand?
ASA ceased to exist as an independent brand in 2011. After merging with ExpressJet in 2010, it adopted the ExpressJet name and branding in 2011, with all operations fully integrating under a single operating certificate by December of that year.
What happened to ASA after its merger with ExpressJet?
Following its merger with ExpressJet in 2010, Atlantic Southeast Airlines transitioned its identity and operations to ExpressJet. By 2011, ASA's planes and flights operated under the ExpressJet brand and its unified operating certificate, continuing to serve major airline partners like Delta and United.
What was the significance of ASA's role as a Delta Connection and United Express carrier?
ASA's role as a Delta Connection and United Express carrier meant it operated regional flights on behalf of Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, respectively. This allowed the major airlines to extend their network to smaller cities and routes that were not economically viable for their larger aircraft, providing passengers with seamless connections to their broader flight networks.
What was Atlantic Southeast Airlines Flight 2311?
Atlantic Southeast Airlines Flight 2311 was a commuter flight that crashed on April 5, 1991, while approaching Glynco Jetport in Brunswick, Georgia. All 23 people on board, including NASA Astronaut Sonny Carter and former U.S. Senator John Tower, were killed. The accident involved an Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia turboprop aircraft.
Who were Sonny Carter and John Tower?
Sonny Carter was a NASA astronaut who had completed a Space Shuttle mission (STS-33). John Tower was a prominent American politician who served as a United States Senator from Texas from 1961 to 1985. Both were passengers on the ill-fated Flight 2311.
Did ASA experience other notable accidents?
Yes, approximately four years after Flight 2311, another Atlantic Southeast Airlines Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia crashed in Georgia under similar circumstances, resulting in nine fatalities. These incidents brought heightened scrutiny to the airline's operations and the aircraft type.