COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 481112

Scheduled Freight Air Transportation

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

126companies1890–2001founding years114still active12no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedKuehne & Nagel International AG
1890
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedQantas Airways Ltd.
1920
FoundedSabena S.A./N.V.
1923
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
FoundedGrupo TACA
1931
FoundedDelta Air Lines, Inc.
1934
FoundedNippon Express Company, Ltd.
1937
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
FoundedAirborne Freight Corporation
1946
FoundedAir Pacific Ltd.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedGulf Air Company
1950
FoundedKuwait Airways Corporation
1954
FoundedPakistan International Airlines Corporation
1955
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
FoundedChina Airlines
1959
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedSouthwest Airlines Co.
1967
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
FoundedAmtran, Inc.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedMidwest Express Holdings, Inc.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedCeladon Group Inc.
1986
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
FoundedAS Estonian Air
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
FoundedPolar Air Cargo Inc.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

The Brink's Company →
Active
The Brink's Company--formerly known as The Pittston Company--is a transportation and security services firm.
The Brink's Company →
Active
The Brink's Company--formerly known as The Pittston Company--is a transportation and security services firm.
Kuehne & Nagel International AG →
Active · founded 1890 · Switzerland
Kuehne & Nagel International AG (KN) operates as a leading transport and logistics concern with more than 600 locations…
Kuehne & Nagel International AG →
Active · founded 1890 · Switzerland
Kuehne & Nagel International AG (KN) operates as a leading transport and logistics concern with more than 600 locations…
Panalpina World Transport (Holding) Ltd. →
Active · founded 1918 · Switzerland
1930s:Panalpina acquires Hans im Obersteg and expands into maritime shipping and international forwarding.
Panalpina World Transport (Holding) Ltd. →
Active · founded 1918 · Switzerland
1930s:Panalpina acquires Hans im Obersteg and expands into maritime shipping and international forwarding.
Avianca Aerov&iacute Nacionales de Colombia SA →
Active · founded 1919 · Colombia
Considered the world's second oldest operating airline after KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Avianca Aerov&iacute Nacionales…
Avianca Aerov&iacute Nacionales de Colombia SA →
Active · founded 1919 · Colombia
Considered the world's second oldest operating airline after KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Avianca Aerov&iacute Nacionales…
Qantas Airways Ltd. →
Active · founded 1920 · Australia
Qantas Airways Ltd.
Qantas Airways Ltd. →
Active · founded 1920 · Australia
Qantas Airways Ltd.
Ceské aerolinie, a.s. →
Active · founded 1923 · Czech Republic
Ceské aerolinie, a.s., also called Czech Airlines or CSA, flies to approximately 70 destinations in more than 40…
Ceské aerolinie, a.s. →
Active · founded 1923 · Czech Republic
Ceské aerolinie, a.s., also called Czech Airlines or CSA, flies to approximately 70 destinations in more than 40…
Finnair Oyj →
Active · founded 1923 · Finland
Based in Helsinki, Finnair Oyj is the national airline of Finland and the fifth oldest airline in the world.
Finnair Oyj →
Active · founded 1923 · Finland
Based in Helsinki, Finnair Oyj is the national airline of Finland and the fifth oldest airline in the world.
Sabena S.A./N.V. →
Active · founded 1923 · Belgium
Sabena S.A./N.V.
Sabena S.A./N.V. →
Active · founded 1923 · Belgium
Sabena S.A./N.V.
Deutsche Lufthansa AG →
Active · founded 1926 · Germany
Deutsche Lufthansa AG (commonly referred to as Lufthansa) is the largest airline in Germany and one of the three…
Deutsche Lufthansa AG →
Active · founded 1926 · Germany
Deutsche Lufthansa AG (commonly referred to as Lufthansa) is the largest airline in Germany and one of the three…
LOT Polish Airlines (Polskie Linie Lotnicze S.A.) →
Active · founded 1929 · Poland
Polskie Linie Lotnicze S.A., or LOT Polish Airlines, was the first airline in Eastern Europe to ditch its fleet of old…
LOT Polish Airlines (Polskie Linie Lotnicze S.A.) →
Active · founded 1929 · Poland
Polskie Linie Lotnicze S.A., or LOT Polish Airlines, was the first airline in Eastern Europe to ditch its fleet of old…
Lan Chile S.A. →
Active · founded 1929 · Chile
Four million passengers a year fly Lan Chile S.A., or LanChile as it has been styling itself since the mid-1990s.
Lan Chile S.A. →
Active · founded 1929 · Chile
Four million passengers a year fly Lan Chile S.A., or LanChile as it has been styling itself since the mid-1990s.
Grupo TACA →
Active · founded 1931 · El Salvador
Grupo TACA (Transportes Aéreas Centro-Americanos) is the third largest air carrier in Latin America.
Grupo TACA →
Active · founded 1931 · El Salvador
Grupo TACA (Transportes Aéreas Centro-Americanos) is the third largest air carrier in Latin America.
Turkish Airlines Inc. (Türk Hava Yollari A.O.) →
Active · founded 1933 · Turkey
Turkish Airlines Inc., or Türk Hava Yollari A.O.
Turkish Airlines Inc. (Türk Hava Yollari A.O.) →
Active · founded 1933 · Turkey
Turkish Airlines Inc., or Türk Hava Yollari A.O.
Continental Airlines, Inc. →
Active · founded 1934
Continental Airlines, Inc.
Continental Airlines, Inc. →
Active · founded 1934
Continental Airlines, Inc.
Delta Air Lines, Inc. →
Active · founded 1934
Delta Air Lines, Inc.
Delta Air Lines, Inc. →
Active · founded 1934
Delta Air Lines, Inc.
UAL Corporation →
Active · founded 1934
UAL Corporation is the holding company for United Airlines, Inc., the world's largest airline, which flies 240,000…
UAL Corporation →
Active · founded 1934
UAL Corporation is the holding company for United Airlines, Inc., the world's largest airline, which flies 240,000…
Air Canada →
Active · founded 1937 · Canada
Air Canada is the only national, full-service airline based in Canada.
Air Canada →
Active · founded 1937 · Canada
Air Canada is the only national, full-service airline based in Canada.
Icelandair →
Active · founded 1937 · Iceland
Icelandair (Fluglei'ir hf.), Iceland's largest publicly traded company, has played off its unique mid-Atlantic location…
Icelandair →
Active · founded 1937 · Iceland
Icelandair (Fluglei'ir hf.), Iceland's largest publicly traded company, has played off its unique mid-Atlantic location…
Nippon Express Company, Ltd. →
Active · founded 1937 · Japan
Nippon Express Company, Ltd., is one of Japan's largest transportation companies, with nearly 1,170 service centers in…
Nippon Express Company, Ltd. →
Active · founded 1937 · Japan
Nippon Express Company, Ltd., is one of Japan's largest transportation companies, with nearly 1,170 service centers in…
British Midland plc →
Active · founded 1938 · United Kingdom
British Midland plc, the second largest airline in the United Kingdom, flies more than six million passengers a year to…
British Midland plc →
Active · founded 1938 · United Kingdom
British Midland plc, the second largest airline in the United Kingdom, flies more than six million passengers a year to…
TAP →
Active · founded 1945 · Portugal
Lisbon-based TAP--Air Portugal Transportes Aéreos Portugueses S.A.
TAP →
Active · founded 1945 · Portugal
Lisbon-based TAP--Air Portugal Transportes Aéreos Portugueses S.A.
Airborne Freight Corporation →
Active · founded 1946
Airborne Freight Corporation is the third largest express delivery company in the United States.
Airborne Freight Corporation →
Active · founded 1946
Airborne Freight Corporation is the third largest express delivery company in the United States.
Braathens ASA →
Active · founded 1946 · Norway
Braathens ASA is Norway's largest airline.
Braathens ASA →
Active · founded 1946 · Norway
Braathens ASA is Norway's largest airline.
Bradley Air Services Ltd. →
Defunct · founded 1946 · Canada
Bradley Air Services Ltd.
Bradley Air Services Ltd. →
Defunct · founded 1946 · Canada
Bradley Air Services Ltd.
Cathay Pacific Airways Limited →
Active · founded 1946 · Hong Kong
After World War II, Cathay Pacific Airways Limited grew from a small regional airline to a prosperous international…
Cathay Pacific Airways Limited →
Active · founded 1946 · Hong Kong
After World War II, Cathay Pacific Airways Limited grew from a small regional airline to a prosperous international…
Air Pacific Ltd. →
Active · founded 1947 · Fiji
Air Pacific Ltd.
Air Pacific Ltd. →
Active · founded 1947 · Fiji
Air Pacific Ltd.
Société Tunisienne de l'Air-Tunisair →
Active · founded 1948 · Tunisia
Société Tunisienne de l'Air-Tunisair (Tunisair) is Tunisia's state-sponsored international airline.
Société Tunisienne de l'Air-Tunisair →
Active · founded 1948 · Tunisia
Société Tunisienne de l'Air-Tunisair (Tunisair) is Tunisia's state-sponsored international airline.
Garuda Indonesia →
Active · founded 1949 · Indonesia
Garuda Indonesia is a major international and domestic airline that has been the flagship of Indonesia's airways for…
Garuda Indonesia →
Active · founded 1949 · Indonesia
Garuda Indonesia is a major international and domestic airline that has been the flagship of Indonesia's airways for…
Gulf Air Company →
Active · founded 1950 · Bahrain
Gulf Air Company is the national airline of Bahrain, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Gulf Air Company →
Active · founded 1950 · Bahrain
Gulf Air Company is the national airline of Bahrain, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. →
Active · founded 1950
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. →
Active · founded 1950
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.
All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. →
Active · founded 1952 · Japan
All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd.
All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd. →
Active · founded 1952 · Japan
All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd.
Japan Airlines Company, Ltd. →
Active · founded 1953 · Japan
Japan Airlines Company, Ltd.
Japan Airlines Company, Ltd. →
Active · founded 1953 · Japan
Japan Airlines Company, Ltd.
Kuwait Airways Corporation →
Active · founded 1954 · State of Kuwait
Kuwait Airways Corporation (KAC) is the flag carrier of Kuwait.
Kuwait Airways Corporation →
Active · founded 1954 · State of Kuwait
Kuwait Airways Corporation (KAC) is the flag carrier of Kuwait.
TAROM S.A. →
Active · founded 1954 · Romania
TAROM S.A.
TAROM S.A. →
Active · founded 1954 · Romania
TAROM S.A.
LTU Group Holding GmbH →
Active · founded 1955 · Germany
LTU Group Holding GmbH is Germany's third-largest leisure travel tour operator and one of Europe's leading charter…
LTU Group Holding GmbH →
Active · founded 1955 · Germany
LTU Group Holding GmbH is Germany's third-largest leisure travel tour operator and one of Europe's leading charter…
Pakistan International Airlines Corporation →
Active · founded 1955 · Pakistan
Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (PIA) is the flag carrier of Pakistan, whose government owns 85 percent of…
Pakistan International Airlines Corporation →
Active · founded 1955 · Pakistan
Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (PIA) is the flag carrier of Pakistan, whose government owns 85 percent of…
TransBrasil S/A Linhas Aéreas →
Active · founded 1955 · Brazil
TransBrasil S/A Linhas Aéreas, Brazil's third-largest airline, flies about three million passengers a year.
TransBrasil S/A Linhas Aéreas →
Active · founded 1955 · Brazil
TransBrasil S/A Linhas Aéreas, Brazil's third-largest airline, flies about three million passengers a year.
Austrian Airlines AG (Österreichische Luftverkehrs AG) →
Active · founded 1957 · Austria
Austrian Airlines AG (Österreichische Luftverkehrs AG) has traditionally been known as 'little brother' to its German…
Austrian Airlines AG (Österreichische Luftverkehrs AG) →
Active · founded 1957 · Austria
Austrian Airlines AG (Österreichische Luftverkehrs AG) has traditionally been known as 'little brother' to its German…
China Airlines →
Active · founded 1959 · Taiwan
Although China Airlines (CAL) became something of a pariah when the United Nations recognized the People's Republic of…
China Airlines →
Active · founded 1959 · Taiwan
Although China Airlines (CAL) became something of a pariah when the United Nations recognized the People's Republic of…
Evergreen International Aviation, Inc. →
Active · founded 1960
The "airline's airline," Evergreen International Airlines, Inc.
Evergreen International Aviation, Inc. →
Active · founded 1960
The "airline's airline," Evergreen International Airlines, Inc.
TAM Linhas Aéreas S.A. →
Active · founded 1961 · Brazil
TAM Linhas Aéreas S.A.
TAM Linhas Aéreas S.A. →
Active · founded 1961 · Brazil
TAM Linhas Aéreas S.A.
Air Mauritius Ltd. →
Active · founded 1967 · Mauritius
Air Mauritius Ltd.
Air Mauritius Ltd. →
Active · founded 1967 · Mauritius
Air Mauritius Ltd.
Southwest Airlines Co. →
Active · founded 1967
Southwest Airlines Co.
Southwest Airlines Co. →
Active · founded 1967
Southwest Airlines Co.
Air Jamaica Limited →
Active · founded 1968 · Jamaica
Air Jamaica Limited operates the national airline of Jamaica.
Air Jamaica Limited →
Active · founded 1968 · Jamaica
Air Jamaica Limited operates the national airline of Jamaica.
Cargolux Airlines International S.A. →
Active · founded 1970 · Luxembourg
Luxembourg's Cargolux Airlines International S.A.
Cargolux Airlines International S.A. →
Active · founded 1970 · Luxembourg
Luxembourg's Cargolux Airlines International S.A.
Amtran, Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1973
Amtran, Inc.
Amtran, Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1973
Amtran, Inc.
Lauda Air Luftfahrt AG →
Active · founded 1979 · Austria
Lauda Air Luftfahrt AG is a unit of Austrian Airlines Group specializing in charters and Far East travel.
Lauda Air Luftfahrt AG →
Active · founded 1979 · Austria
Lauda Air Luftfahrt AG is a unit of Austrian Airlines Group specializing in charters and Far East travel.
Mesa Air Group, Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
Five million passengers a year fly Mesa Air Group, Inc., although they may not know it by name: the company operates…
Mesa Air Group, Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
Five million passengers a year fly Mesa Air Group, Inc., although they may not know it by name: the company operates…
Midway Airlines Corporation →
Defunct · founded 1983
Midway Airlines Corporation puts an old name on one of the youngest all-jet fleets in the United States.
Midway Airlines Corporation →
Defunct · founded 1983
Midway Airlines Corporation puts an old name on one of the youngest all-jet fleets in the United States.
Midwest Express Holdings, Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1984
Midwest Express Holdings, Inc.
Midwest Express Holdings, Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1984
Midwest Express Holdings, Inc.
Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Ltd. →
Defunct · founded 1985 · Hong Kong
Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Ltd., better known as Dragonair, is Hong Kong's second largest airline.
Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Ltd. →
Defunct · founded 1985 · Hong Kong
Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Ltd., better known as Dragonair, is Hong Kong's second largest airline.
The Emirates Group →
Active · founded 1985 · United Arab Emirates
The Emirates Group is composed of airport services provider DNATA (the Dubai National Air Transport Association) and…
The Emirates Group →
Active · founded 1985 · United Arab Emirates
The Emirates Group is composed of airport services provider DNATA (the Dubai National Air Transport Association) and…
Celadon Group Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
Celadon Group Inc.
Celadon Group Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
Celadon Group Inc.
China Eastern Airlines Co. Ltd. →
Active · founded 1988 · China
China Eastern Air Co.
China Eastern Airlines Co. Ltd. →
Active · founded 1988 · China
China Eastern Air Co.
China Southern Airlines Company Ltd. →
Active · founded 1988 · China
China Southern Airlines Company Ltd.
China Southern Airlines Company Ltd. →
Active · founded 1988 · China
China Southern Airlines Company Ltd.
EVA Airways Corporation →
Active · founded 1989 · Taiwan
EVA Airways Corporation, or EVA Air, is Taiwan's second largest airline.
EVA Airways Corporation →
Active · founded 1989 · Taiwan
EVA Airways Corporation, or EVA Air, is Taiwan's second largest airline.
AS Estonian Air →
Defunct · founded 1991 · Estonia
AS Estonian Air is the national airline of Estonia.
AS Estonian Air →
Defunct · founded 1991 · Estonia
AS Estonian Air is the national airline of Estonia.
Atlas Air, Inc. →
Active · founded 1992
Atlas Air, Inc.
Atlas Air, Inc. →
Active · founded 1992
Atlas Air, Inc.
Air Sahara Limited →
Active · founded 1993 · India
Air Sahara Limited is a leading private airline in India, owned by the diversified Sahara India Parivar group.
Air Sahara Limited →
Active · founded 1993 · India
Air Sahara Limited is a leading private airline in India, owned by the diversified Sahara India Parivar group.
Polar Air Cargo Inc. →
Active · founded 1993
Polar announced a code share agreement with Qantas in April 2002.
Polar Air Cargo Inc. →
Active · founded 1993
Polar announced a code share agreement with Qantas in April 2002.
Sterling European Airlines A/S →
Active · founded 1994 · Denmark
Sterling European Airlines A/S (SEA) is Scandinavia's leading low-fare airline.
Sterling European Airlines A/S →
Active · founded 1994 · Denmark
Sterling European Airlines A/S (SEA) is Scandinavia's leading low-fare airline.
WestJet Airlines Ltd. →
Active · founded 1994 · Canada
WestJet Airlines Ltd.
WestJet Airlines Ltd. →
Active · founded 1994 · Canada
WestJet Airlines Ltd.
Société d'Exploitation AOM Air Liberté SA (AirLib) →
Active · founded 2001 · France
Société d'Exploitation AOM Air Liberté SA (AirLib) is France's second largest airline.
Société d'Exploitation AOM Air Liberté SA (AirLib) →
Active · founded 2001 · France
Société d'Exploitation AOM Air Liberté SA (AirLib) is France's second largest airline.
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