Island Airways is a small passenger airline based in Charlevoix, Michigan. It provides services to Welke Airport and Charlevoix Municipal Airport. History The airline began in 1945 as McPhillips Flying Service. In 1975, Welke Aviation was started in competition with McPhillips. The two companies merged in 1983, and Paul Welke bought out his partners in 1989. In 2001, Welke was instrumental in the location and rescue of a family that had been on a charter flight that crashed on approach to Beaver Island. In 2013, the Michigan Aeronautics Commission gave Welke an award in recognition of Island Air's long history of service. Fleet Britten-Norman Islander Piper Apache PA-23-160 Piper Aztec PA-23-250 Destinations Welke Airport (Beaver Island, Michigan) Charlevoix Municipal Airport References Regional airlines of the United States Companies based in Michigan Transportation in Charlevoix County, Michigan Airlines based in Michigan Airlines established in 1945 1945 establishments in Michigan