WASHINGTON- The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has officially revoked the final operating certificates of two long-defunct carriers — Continental Airlines (CO) and US Airways (US). This administrative move ends their legal existence in U.S. aviation records after years of dormancy.

Both airlines, once major players in the American aviation landscape, had already merged into larger carriers more than a decade ago — Continental into United Airlines (UA) and US Airways into American Airlines (AA). The recent action simply closes the last chapter of their corporate history.

DOT Finally Grounded Continental and US Airways

Continental Airlines, based in Houston (IAH), merged with United Airlines in 2010, forming one of the world’s largest carriers. The Continental name vanished from airports by 2012, but its regulatory certificates remained technically active.

Similarly, US Airways, headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, completed its merger with American Airlines in 2013, operating its final flight from Phoenix (PHX) to Philadelphia (PHL) in 2015.

For years, both Continental and US Airways existed as “zombie airlines” — inactive but still present in federal databases.

According to PYOK, the DOT initiated a data cleanup process this year, which led to the revocation of these outdated certificates. The department withdrew both the domestic (interstate) and foreign (international) authorities that had lingered since their mergers.

Long Shadow of Airline Mergers

The early 2000s marked an era of consolidation in U.S. aviation. Mergers reshaped the market, reducing competition but stabilizing several struggling airlines.

United absorbed Continental’s routes, staff, and aircraft, while adopting its recognizable “Globe” logo — a remnant of Continental’s legacy still seen on United aircraft today.

US Airways, on the other hand, left little behind apart from history. Its name disappeared completely after integrating with American Airlines, marking the end of a brand that had once connected major hubs across the U.S. and beyond.

What Remains of Their Legacy

While Continental’s brand survives symbolically through United’s logo, US Airways lives on only in memory. One notable artifact is the Airbus A320 from the 2009 “Miracle on the Hudson,” piloted by Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and First Officer Jeff Skiles.

That aircraft remains preserved at the Sullenberger Aviation Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT), where the story continues to inspire visitors.

The DOT’s move doesn’t impact current flight operations but serves as an administrative milestone — officially bringing closure to two of America’s most recognized airline brands.

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