AIR BERLIN, GmbH. & CO. LUFTVERKEHRS, K. G.: Flughafen Tegel, 1000 Berlin 51, D-13406, Germany; Phone 49 (30 4101 2781; Fax 49 (30) 413 2003; Http://www. airberlin. com; Code AB; Year Founded 1978. No relation to the Air Berlin commuter acquired by Air Florida, Air Berlin USA is organized at Tegel Airport, West Berlin, on July 11, 1978 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Leico, an Oregon-based land and timber concern. Employing a U. S.-registered Boeing 707-331B first flown by Trans World Airlines (TWA), the carrier begins inclusive-tour charter flights on behalf of German tour operators in April 1979.
On October 22, 1980, company officials elect to attempt scheduled service, offering return passenger flights from Berlin to Orlando via Brussels. The experiment ceases in October 1983. At this point, the B-707-320B is traded in for a B-737-200.
During the remainder of the decade, Air Berlin performs strictly as a charter operator, flying from Berlin to holiday areas in western and southern Europe, the Canary Islands, and North Africa.
In 1990, Chairman Leonard Lundgren and President/General Manager Kim Lundgren possess a fleet comprising 1 each leased B-737-4K5 and B-737-4Y0. On October 3, Germany is reunited.
Operations continue apace in 1991 and, as the result of German reunification, Air Berlin becomes a completely German company, no longer restricted to Berlin-only departures.
In 1992, a second B-737-4Y0 is delivered under charter and orders are placed for two B-737-46Js. To help promote the city’s bid for the 2000 Summer Olympic Games, the aircraft receive “Berlin 2000” titles and a decal of the city’s smiling bear logo.
In 1993, the workforce stands at 90. The leased fleet includes 3 B-737-4Y0s and 1 each B-737-4K5 and B-737-46J. When Berlin loses its Olympic bid to Australia, the smiling bear logo on one jetliner is, before its removal, worn for a brief time with a frown.
Enplanements for the year total just under 500,000.
The fleet is increased in 1994 by 1 B-737-46J. Passenger boardings skyrocket 109.5% to 1,047,600.
Another, though less spectacular, traffic year is enjoyed in 1995 as customer bookings accelerate 9.6% to 1,147,700. The staff is increased by a whopping 125% to 190.
The workforce is increased 19.7% in 1996 to 228 in order to help the company accommodate increased growth.
Enplanements soar 20.8% to 1,450,000 and revenues climb 18.9% to $296 million.
Airline employment grows another 17.5% in 1997 to 350. Passenger boardings accelerate 17.2% to 1,650,000.
Options for two B-737-800s are converted into firm orders in June 1998, while options are taken on two more. The deal is worth $425 million and provides for initial deliveries early in 2000.
Late in the year, a shuttle service is established to transport vacationers from Berlin to Mallorca. In addition, a homepage is opened on the World Wide Web.
Customer bookings climb 21.8% to 2.01 million.
By the start of 1999, airline employment has been increased by 34.3% to 470 and the company’s results for the year are nothing less than spectacular. Customer bookings increase 50% to 3,000,000. Revenues jump 39.5% to $308 million.
The workforce during the previous 12 months has grown by 112.8% and stands at 1,000 as 2000 begins. During the first quarter, a B-737-8Q8 is subleased from Sabre Airways, Ltd.
AIR BEST DE PUERTO RICO: United States (1971-1973). Air Best de Puerto Rico is established at Isla Verde, San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1971 to provide scheduled air taxi services to St. Thomas, in the American Virgin Islands. Daily Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander round-trips are duly inaugurated and are sustained into 1973.
World History
