Compass Airlines An American Eagle Embraer E175 regional aircraft. Philip Pilosian / Shutterstock.com
Compass Airlines was a regional airline that shut down in April 2020 after ending operations with American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, according to FlightGlobal. The Minneapolis-based carrier primarily flew the Embraer E175 aircraft with bases on the West Coast in its last years.
ExpressJet Airlines A United Express Embraer ERJ145 operated by ExpressJet Airlines. Marc Seguin/Shutterstock.com
ExpressJet Airlines was a regional airline that ceased operations on September 30, 2020, after United Airlines chose rival CommutAir to fly regional services. Major airlines like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and most recently, United Airlines had contracted the airline to fly its regional hubs to smaller cities.
The pandemic devastated airlines in 2020 and forced many out of business here s the most notable that didn t make it to 2021 Thomas Pallini An aircraft sits in a boneyard in Arizona. Last year saw an influx of airlines close up shop as the pandemic forced travellers to stay home. All 11 major US airlines remained intact but smaller regional carriers were forced to close or merge due to the drop in travel demand. Not all were due to the pandemic, however, as the first two months of the year saw high-profile closures due to mounting losses.
Each year sees a small number of airlines close up shop for any number of reasons, but last year had the pandemic to speed some along.
Flights: Wizz Air were listed among the safest low-cost carriers (Image: Getty Images)
Qantas took the top spot in the “20 safest airlines” thanks to the development of new technology including real-time monitoring of its engines across its fleet, flight data recorders to monitor plane and crew performance, and the use of a Global Navigation Satellite System to aid automatic landings and precision approaches around mountainous areas.
Qantas was followed by Qatar Airways, Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, EVA Air, Etihad Airways, Alaska Airlines, and Cathay Pacific Airways.
UK flag-bearer British Airways came in 10th place.
AirlineRatings.com Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas said all of the airlines named were “standouts in the industry” whom “are at the forefront of safety, innovation, and launching of new aircraft.”