California-based subscription operator Surf Air (URF, Santa Monica) has announced it has acquired Texan rival, RISE (United States of America) (Dallas Love Field), for an undisclosed sum.
Rise founder Nick Kennedy will remain with the newly expanded company as president of the Texas region.
As part of the takeover, the two carriers plan to eventually link their two networks with Surf Air serving the California/Nevada market and Rise adding its extensive Texan connections.
"In addition to the current California cities and Las Vegas, Surf Air Members will be gaining access to a whole new network of Texas airports, including Austin-Bergstrom International, San Antonio International, Dallas Love Field, Houston Hobby, and Houston David Wayne Hooks in Northwest Houston," Surf Air said in a statement.
Unlike the fully certificated Surf Air, Rise is a virtual carrier which acquires capacity from established Part 135 operators. Aside from its Texan operations, it is also looking at adding flights from Houston to San Antonio, Midland, and Aspen, from Dallas to Midland International, Fayetteville Regional, Vail/Eagle, and San José Cabo, and from Austin to San José, US.
