Father/Son Team Led Airline Through Early Growth To The Regional Jet Era

Raymond Mueller and David Mueller, founders of Delta Connection carrier Comair, were inducted into the Kentucky Aviation Hall of Fame during ceremonies in Lexington (KY) Saturday night.
 
The father/son team started the regional airline in 1977 with three Piper Navajo aircraft and three destinations. Today, Comair operates a fleet of 162 Bombardier regional jets and serves more than 110 cities. The airline helped change the face of commercial aviation in the United States when it introduced the CRJ to North America in 1993.

"Comair"s tradition of innovation and dedication to safety and excellence in serving customers come from our people implementing the entrepreneurial vision of the Muellers," said Randy Rademacher, Comair president. "Their leadership set the stage for service and operational standards that remain regional airline industry benchmarks to this day."

Raymond Mueller, who retired as Chairman of the Board in 1990, was a multi-engine, instrument-rated pilot. He actively flew until age 65.

As past Chairman of Comair and former president and CEO of the airline, David Mueller was Regional Airline World's Airline Executive of the Year in 1999. With 31 years of aviation experience, he has flown as a corporate pilot, certified flight instructor, a helicopter pilot and for Comair. Mueller currently flies small aerobatic aircraft from a private strip in Northern Kentucky.

"My father and I are honored to be inducted, but we're especially proud of what this says about Comair and its people," David Mueller said. "We've always had a good team at Comair and because of this the airline has been very successful. Even with today's significant industry challenges, it's gratifying to see Comair people working so hard to carry on that tradition."

The Kentucky Aviation Hall of Fame, located in Lexington (KY) is part of the Aviation Museum of Kentucky. It has honored Kentucky natives for their aviation and aerospace achievements since 1996.

According to the Hall of Fame, "the Muellers" vision to build a regional airline made a dramatic impact on aviation in America and on the economic growth of Northern Kentucky."

FMI: www.comair.com