scheduled air-carrier service to Hickory. This service was interrupted by World War II, and was suspended in May, 1942. Capital Airlines resumed scheduled service in August 1951, continuing until August 1952 when Piedmont Airlines (1948–1989) replaced it. From 1952 to 1980 Piedmont Airlines Douglas DC-3s, Martin 404s, Fokker F27s, Fairchild Hiller FH-227s, and NAMC YS-11s flew to cities such as Asheville, Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Tri-Cities Area and Atlanta. After airline deregulation in the late 1970s, smaller, commuter airline service would be offered to large hubs. Atlantis Airlines (1979–1985) was one of this type, with up to six daily flights to Charlotte and Atlanta. The period of 1978–2002 would also see Sunbird Airlines (later CCAir) operate up to 11 daily flights using Cessna 402 and Cessna 404(s), Beechcraft Model 99s, Shorts 330s and Shorts 360s, DeHavilland Canada Dash 8s, and BAE Jetstream 32s. These would operate under the marketing names of Sunbird Airlines, Piedmont Commuter, and finally US Airways Express. CCAir would be later acquired by Mesa Airlines who would end its US Airways Express flights to Charlotte-Douglas International Airport in April 2002. In 2005 Delta Connection (Atlantic Southeast Airlines) Bombardier CRJ200s flew direct to Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, before ceasing service in the fall of that year. Local officials do not believe that commercial airline service will return because of the close proximity to Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, but the airport is self-sustaining and has maintained a relatively high traffic volume. References External links Hickory Regional Airport at City of Hickory website at North Carolina DOT airport guide Airports in North Carolina Buildings and structures in Burke County, North Carolina Buildings and structures in Catawba County, North Carolina Transportation in Burke County, North Carolina Transportation in Catawba County, North Carolina