ABX Air, formerly known as Airborne Express, is an American cargo airline based in Wilmington, Ohio. It is a subsidiary of Air Transport Services Group (ATSG) and serves as a freight feeder airline for DHL Express. Founded in 1980, ABX Air has become one of the largest cargo airlines in the United States and the world, operating over 100 aircraft and employing over 6,000 people.

The history of ABX Air can be traced back to 1980, when the company was founded by the merger of Airborne Freight Corporation and Airborne Express. The company’s first aircraft was a Boeing 727-100, which was purchased from American Airlines. This aircraft was used as a cargo aircraft and was the first of many aircraft that would be added to the ABX Air fleet.

ABX Air’s growth began in the mid-1980s when the company began to expand its fleet and operations. The company would go on to acquire several regional cargo carriers, including Southern Air Transport and Florida West Airlines. ABX Air’s fleet grew to include Boeing 727-200, Boeing 757-200, and MD-11 aircraft.

Throughout the 1990s, ABX Air continued to grow and expand its operations. The company was awarded a contract in 1996 to provide air cargo services to the United States Postal Service, a contract that would last until 2006. In 1998, ABX Air acquired its first Boeing 767-200 freighter, which would become the backbone of their cargo operations.

In 2004, ABX Air experienced one of its most significant milestones when it acquired the cargo operations of DHL Express in the United States. This acquisition would make ABX Air the largest cargo airline in the United States and the second largest cargo airline in the world. This acquisition would also make ABX Air the exclusive provider of air cargo services for DHL Express in the United States.

In 2013, ABX Air experienced one of its most significant incidents when it was named in a federal investigation of alleged price-fixing between DHL and its cargo carriers, including ABX Air. ABX Air was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing and the investigation was closed in 2014.

Today, ABX Air continues to operate a fleet of over 100 aircraft and employs over 6,000 people. The company’s fleet includes Boeing 727-200, Boeing 757-200, MD-11, and Boeing 767-200 freighters. ABX Air remains a key provider of air cargo services for DHL Express in the United States and continues to be an important part of the U.S. air cargo industry.