Several European regional airlines established in the spring of 1989 by a consortium of Esquelle Holdings, Alphalines, and AeroLeasing, AEG begins service as a medevac contractor operating a Piper Cheyenne. Operations cease in 1992.
AIR EXEL NETHERLANDS, C. V.: Netherlands (1990-1992). Organized at Maastricht Airport on May 1, 1990, Air Exel Netherlands is the last of several European regional airlines to be created by a consortium made up of Esquelle Holdings, Alphalines, and AeroLeasing. Chairman Roberto Stinga, with 49% minority shareholding, acquires an Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia, which is employed to inaugurate service between its base and Amsterdam (Schiphol) in June 1991. A second Brasilia is acquired late in the year.
Three-times-per-day flights are started to London (STN) on February 10, 1992. During the month, three more Brasilias are acquired from the assets of failed Air Exel, S. A. Later, the Maastricht-Amsterdam frequency is increased from four to six daily roundtrips. In July, the carrier is renamed Air Exel Commuter, C. V.
AIR EXEL U. K.: United Kingdom (1989-1992). AEUK is one of several European regional airlines to be formed in the spring of 1989 by a consortium made up of Esquelle Holdings, AeroLeasing, and Alphalines; Charles Bemberg is named president. Following the receipt of two Embraer EMB-120 Brasilias, more than a year will elapse before services are inaugurated as the new entrant tries—and fails—to win rights to serve Rotterdam and Antwerp.
Flights finally commence on January 17, 1991 from London (CTN) to Brussels, with Edinburgh following in February. Initially, these are charter rather than scheduled as emphasis is placed upon on-demand services. Scheduled flights commence in February with a Brasilia dry-leased from Luxair, S. A. In March, the downturn in the economy leads to the cancellation of plans for a service to Paris.
Operations cease in 1992.
AIR EXPRESS (PTY.), LTD.: Australia (1952-1980). This all-cargo airline is formed at Melbourne in 1952 as a subsidiary of Air Express (Holdings), Pty., Ltd. Services are undertaken throughout the nation, with emphasis on flights to Tasmania, employing Bristol Freighters. Repair, overhaul, and maintenance work is also provided to other small carriers.
A Bristol 170 Mk. 21E with two crew aboard crashes 6 km. off Cape Paterson (Australia) on May 10, 1975; there are no survivors.
In 1978, Chairman W. S. Astling’s fleet comprises 2 Douglas DC-4s and 2 Bristol 170 Mk. 31s. The company is unable to survive the great oil crisis of 1979 and folds in 1980.
AIR EXPRESS CORPORATION: United States (1932-1933). Philip H. Philbin establishes AEC at Denver in the fall of 1932 to offer fast, transcontinental air express service employing Lockheed Orions specially converted into freighters. Service is inaugurated in December.
The company flies through the first quarter of 1933, becoming not only a pioneer in air cargo, but among the first airlines attempting to fly live lobsters from New York to California. When the carrier folds as a victim of the depression at the end of March, its multistop daily coast-to-coast flights average some 17 hours.
AIR EXPRESS I NORRKOPING, A. B.: Sweden (1996-2000). AEIN is set up by principle shareholder Thomas Sjo at Norrkoping, Sweden in early 1996 to operate domestic third-level passenger and cargo services. Managing Director Barbro Holmquist’s initial fleet comprises 2 Beech King Air 200s, 1 King Air 300, and 2 Embraer EMB-120 Bandeirantes. Orders are placed for a pair of Beech 1900Ds during the summer and, until the new aircraft can be delivered in the fall, a leased C Model is operated. It will be retained.
The fleet is altered in 1997. All of the King Airs and Bandeirantes are withdrawn and services are provided by the three Beech 1900Ds.
Destinations visited in 1998 include Stockholm, Visby Linkoping, Goteborg, Helsingfors, and Riga. On October 2, Skyways, A. B. purchases the company from Thomas Sjo, intending to maintain the Air Express identity and expand its route network so as to more effectively feed the new parent at Stockholm. Enplanements for the year total 45,000 and operating income of SKr 55 million is generated.
Flights continue in 1999 with the Skyway acquisition process completed on May 12. Further route integration continues during the remainder of the year and into the new millennium.
One October 1, 2000, Air Express is combined with Highland Air, A. B. and Airborne of Sweden, A. B. to form Hultsfred-based Skyways Regional, A. B.
AIR EXPRESS INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES: United States (1979-1980). AEIA is founded in the spring of 1979 as a wholly owned subsidiary of the freight shipment firm Air Express International Corporation. All-cargo revenue services commence with three Canadair CL-44Ds on April 23 to such U. S. and European destinations as Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas (DFW), New York (JFK), Orlando, London (STN), and Manchester.
Freight traffic in 1983 totals 11.54 million FTKs. That amount grows by 17.9% in 1984 to 14.06 million. In 1985, cargo traffic falls 13.4% to 19.5 million FTKs.
During these years, domestic flights are handled by Lockheed L-188Fs and those to the U. K. by Canadair CL-44Ds. Weekday operations continue and the fleet is upgraded with Boeing 737-100 freighters. Unable to weather a growing recession, the company shuts its doors in 1988.
AIR FACILITIES (PTY.), LTD.: Albury Airport, P. O. Box 675, Al-bury, New South Wales, 2640, Australia; Code FZ; Year Founded 1995. Privately held Air Facilities is established at Albury in late 1995 to provide third-level service to Canberra. Operations begin and continue with a fleet that grows to include 3 Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftains and 1 Cessna 310.
AIR FAISAL, LTD.: United Kingdom (1976-1979). AF is established at London (CTN) to provide all-cargo services to the Mideast and India. Employing a single Bristol Britannia 253F previously operated by the RAF, the company undertakes flights to Bombay, Calcutta, and New Delhi prior to its closure.
World History
