1998 Empire starts flying and maintaining Shorts SD360 aircraft. Empire enters into partnership agreement to begin Express Air serving FedEx in Europe. | 1999 Empire begins doing heavy maintenance checks on F27s. | 2000 In March Tim Komberec joins Empire as CEO. Dec 31 Express Air begins flying independently.
| 2001 Empire receives Repair Station certificate. | 2002 Empire purchases Reliant Logistics as a wholly owned subsidiary. | 2003 The first ATR42 arrives in Spokane for cargo conversion. BOD accept Idaho's proposal for new hangar and office at the Coeur d'Alene Airport. | 2004 The first ATR42 put on Empire's certificate makes the first ATR FedEx revenue flight. Empire moves into new hangar and office building. |