Equipped with a Beech B-80 Queenaire, AEA inaugurates scheduled air taxi flights in 1968 linking its St. Louis base with small communities in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. Operations cease in 1969.
AIR EXECUTIVE NORWAY-BUSY BEE, A. S.: Norway (19721980). Oslo-based Busy Bee Air Services, A. S., the charter subsidiary of Braathens SAFE, A. S. is reorganized in 1972 and receives the upgraded title of Air Executive Norway-Busy Bee, A. S. Managing Director Hans A. Grotterad employs a small workforce of 30-35 and operates a fleet of 3 Fokker F.27s and 3 Shorts 330s.
Flights around northern Europe as well as contract service flights for the Norwegian Armed Forces are continued until 1980 when the carrier is renamed Busy Bee of Norway, A. S.
AIR EXEL, S. A.: France (1990-1992). Organized at Paris (ORY) Airport in early 1990, Air Exel, S. A. is one of several European regional airlines created by a consortium made up of Esquelle Holdings, Alphalines, and AeroLeasing. The remainder of the year is taken up with acquiring a fleet of four Embraer EMB-120 Brasilias.
As the result of a partnership agreement with the Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Drome Ardeche, the company launches thrice-weekday Brasilia roundtrips over a single Orly-Valence route in January 1991. By year’s end, a total of 25,000 passengers are flown.
Unable to achieve economic viability in a time of recession, the carrier gives up its Valence route and shuts down on January 31, 1992.
AIR EXEL BELGIUM, S. A.: Belgium (1989-1991). Esquelle Holdings, Alphalines, and AeroLeasing form a consortium in early 1989 to establish four European regional airlines. With 26% shareholding subscribed by Trans-European Airways, S. A., Air Exel (Belgium) is set up at Liege in the spring and immediately orders two SAAB 340BQCs. Paul Dewandre is appointed managing director and plans are made to inaugurate revenue services in October; these are delayed when aircraft delivery dates slip.
With the first 340BQC in hand by late June 1990, Air Excel Belgium is able to inaugurate flights to Paris in July. The second turboprop arrives later in the year. An Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia arrives in 1991, along with intensive competition from the state carrier Sabena (Belgian World Airlines, S. A.). In need of recapitalization following the collapse of Trans-European Airways, S. A. in November, the original partners reduce their stake, leaving 55% ownership uncovered. Unable to find additional investment, the regional shuts its doors in mid-December.
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