Idaho Airline Bought Out

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) — Virginia-based start-up airline PEOPLExpress Airlines Inc. has acquired XTRA Airways of Boise, Idaho. The purchase was announced Wednesday by PEOPLExpress and TEM Enterprises, operator of XTRA Airways.

The agreement gives PEOPLExpress the ability to operate aircraft under the FAA certificate issued to XTRA. Terms of the purchase were not released. XTRA was established in 1987 and operates in the U.S., the Caribbean, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America. PEOPLExpress is based in Newport News.

President Mike Morisi says the purchase of XTRA Airways is consistent with PEOPLExpress' long-term business model. The airline companies will retain their current brands.