The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has tentatively determined that Gridiron Air (RZN, Fort Worth Alliance) is fit, willing, and able to conduct interstate and foreign charter flights carrying passengers and cargo as a US-certificated air carrier using B777-200ERs.
Gridiron Air currently operates charters for NFL team the Arizona Cardinals under its Part 125 certificate, using N860DA (msn 29951). It began said operations in December 2022. Non-common flights on an aircraft with a seating configuration for 20 or more passengers (or a maximum payload capacity of 6,000 pounds or more) must be done under Part 125.
However, the company is looking for a Part 121 certificate to offer charters to sports teams and other entities within the United States, as well as Canada and Mexico, while expanding its fleet to up to four B777s. Nonetheless, it will start its Part 121 operations with B777-200ER N865DA (msn 29737), a former Delta Air Lines widebody currently stored at its base at Fort Worth Alliance airport after being ferried there from Marana on May 19, ADS-B data shows.
The Texas-based specialist carrier is reportedly “making acceptable progress in its Part 121 certification process,” said the DOT.
Gridiron Air is a wholly owned subsidiary of Delaware-based Gridiron Ventures. It is led by Paul Kirby, president and chief executive, and Michael J Bidwill, director (and former vice president for the Arizona Cardinals).
