Lakeland Aviation is an airline based in the central Florida city of Lakeland. The airline was founded in 1970 by a group of local businessmen looking to capitalize on the growing tourism industry in the area. The original fleet consisted of a single Piper Cherokee and the airline operated mostly private charter flights.

In 1975, the airline expanded its fleet to include a Cessna Citation, allowing the company to offer more commercial flights. This marked an important milestone in the company’s history, as it was the first time they were able to provide services to the general public. The airline continued to expand its fleet and routes over the next decade, eventually becoming a major player in the Florida aviation industry.

In 1985, the airline made headlines when it was the first airline in the state to offer flights to Cuba. The airline received permission from the Cuban government to operate flights from Miami International Airport to Havana. This marked a major milestone in the company’s history and opened up a new market for the airline.

In 1988, the airline was the first in the state to offer international flights to the Caribbean. The airline operated flights from Tampa International Airport to the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and the Bahamas. This move allowed the airline to increase its market share and provide services to more destinations.

In 1992, the airline was involved in a tragic incident when one of its planes crashed in the Dominican Republic. The crash killed all 12 passengers and crew aboard the plane. The incident sparked a federal investigation into the airline, which ultimately found that the crash was caused by pilot error. The incident had a major impact on the airline and its reputation, but the airline was able to recover and continue operations.

In the following years, the airline continued to expand its fleet and services. In 2000, the airline was the first in the state to offer flights to the Bahamas, which allowed the airline to increase its presence in the Caribbean. The following year, the airline began offering flights to the Cayman Islands, further expanding its international operations.

In 2018, the airline was the first in the state to offer flights to Europe. The airline operates flights from Tampa International Airport to London and Paris, allowing passengers to travel to the continent with ease. This marked a major milestone for the airline, as it allowed them to reach a new market and increase their market share.

Since its founding in 1970, Lakeland Aviation has become one of the leading airlines in the state of Florida. With its fleet of over 30 aircraft, the airline is able to provide services to a variety of destinations in the Caribbean, Europe, and the United States. The airline has also been involved in a number of important milestones throughout its history, including the first flight to Cuba, the first international flights to the Caribbean, and the first flights to Europe. The airline has also had its share of tragedies, but has been able to weather the storms and continue operations.