Airlines

Discover the 70-Year History of Southern Air Cargo: From Small Regional Carrier to World-Class Air Freight Provider





Southern Air Cargo has been in the aviation industry for over 70 years and has grown to become one of the world’s premier providers of air freight services. Founded in 1948, Southern Air Cargo began as a small regional carrier operating out of Miami, Florida. The airline’s original fleet consisted of a few small aircraft and a single Piper Cub. As the airline grew, they added larger aircraft to their fleet, including DC-3s, DC-6s, Beechcrafts, and Convairs.

One of the earliest milestones in the company’s history was their entry into the jet age in 1967 with the purchase of the first two Boeing 727-100s. With the addition of the 727s, Southern Air Cargo was able to expand their reach and offer international flight services. The 727s enabled the airline to service more customers, increase the number of flights, and provide faster delivery times.

In the mid-1980s, the airline experienced a period of rapid growth and expansion. Southern Air Cargo began its transition to an all-cargo airline by acquiring a fleet of C-130 Hercules aircraft. The C-130s allowed them to provide heavy lift capabilities and to transport large cargo payloads. The airline also added Boeing 727-200F and DC-8-63F aircraft to their fleet, further increasing their cargo capacity.

Another milestone in Southern Air Cargo’s history was the launch of their freight-only service in 1989. The freight-only service allowed them to provide faster and more reliable delivery of goods. The airline’s cargo operations quickly grew and the company began to focus exclusively on the transportation of freight.





In the late 1990s, the airline experienced another period of growth. Southern Air Cargo purchased two Boeing 767-200ERs and began operating international routes. The 767s gave them the ability to transport larger payloads and to fly further distances. They also added a number of other aircraft to their fleet, including Boeing 757-200s and 737-400Fs.

In 2001, Southern Air Cargo experienced a major setback when one of their DC-8s crashed in the Dominican Republic. The crash resulted in the death of all 10 people on board and was one of the worst aviation disasters in the company’s history. The airline was also the subject of a federal investigation into the crash and the safety of their operations.

In 2007, Southern Air Cargo was acquired by Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc., and the airline was renamed Southern Air Inc. The acquisition allowed the airline to expand their fleet and operations, including the addition of Boeing 747-400F aircraft to their fleet.

Today, Southern Air Inc. is one of the world’s leading cargo airlines. The company operates a fleet of over 40 aircraft and provides service to more than 200 destinations around the world. Southern Air Inc. has become a leader in the air cargo industry and continues to be a pioneer in the aviation industry.