NBA Phasing Out Champion Air, Has Deal In Place With Northwest

Minnesota-based charter airline company Champion Air announced it will go out of business May 31, and the NBA and MLT, a subsidiary of Northwest Airlines, are “phasing out” their business with the company, according to Liz Fedor of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. MLT and the NBA, which had a multi-year contract with the airline to transport 13 teams, “provided the vast majority of Champion’s revenue.” Meanwhile, Northwest “has secured a contract to fly NBA teams.” In a January memo to pilots, Northwest said that seven Airbus A319s would be “specially-configured for NBA flying” (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 3/31). In San Antonio, Tom Orsborn noted Champion’s contract with the NBA was set to expire after the season. The airline said in a statement it would “fulfill all outstanding service commitments.” The Spurs, Lakers and 76ers are among the teams that fly Champion (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 4/2). NBA Senior VP/Basketball Communications Brian McIntyre said that the league is “close to finalizing a deal with a charter company to fly the Spurs to road games should they remain in the playoffs in June” (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 4/2).