This was the first airline of a number which used the name Empire Airlines. It was founded as Zimmerly Air Lines on April 1st, 1944 with a fleet of three boing 247's. Schduled service was flown from Boise to Lewiston, Pocatello and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The name was changed to Empre Air Lines on March 1, 1946.

Empire upgraded to DC-3’s in March of 1948 with a livery of a dark green “cheat” line with the “Empire” in red. Empire Airlines was absorved by West Coast Airlines on Aug 4, 1952. Only the DC-3’s passed to WCA, by then the Boeing 247’s had been sold off.

Information about this airline is scarce. The bio presented here is a consolidation of Ed Coates write up from his web page.