List of airlines by foundation date

Last updated

This is a list of airlines by foundation date of the company. The list includes airlines founded before December 31, 1930.

Rows with a light-green background indicate the earliest predecessor company of an airline that is still operating as a parent company or a subsidiary company (many modern airline holding companies operate more than one airline). Of the airlines still operating, Air France has the oldest predecessor company, which was established in 1909 and began scheduled fixed-wing passenger operations in 1913, [1] and international passenger operations in 1919. [2] [3] KLM is the oldest airline still operating under its original name, under which it was established in 1919 and began operating the following year. [4] [5]

The date of the first airline service may differ from the foundation date of the company.

AirlineCountryEstablishedCeased operations, acquired or mergedCorporate successor still operatingNotes
Compagnie générale transaérienne Flag of France.svg October 10, 1909February 1921 Air France Began weekly return flights for mail and other items in 1911 between London to Paris from April to October. [6] On March 22, 1913, GGT started the world's first scheduled passenger-carrying fixed-wing flights within France and a week later to Monte Carlo. [1] It was the first French airline. It was absorbed by Compagnie des Messageries Aériennes in 1921, [7] making it the first of the companies that would eventually merge to become Air France. [8] It is the oldest corporate predecessor of all airlines still operating.
DELAG Flag of the German Empire.svg / Flag of Germany (3-2 aspect ratio).svg November 16, 1909March 21, 1935The world’s first passenger and commercial airline, [9] [10] beginning services in June 1910. [11] Operated Zeppelin airships. Merged with Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei (DZR) in 1935, which continued transatlantic flights until the Hindenburg disaster in 1937. Company dissolved in 1940 and re-established in 2001.
Aero Rt. Flag of Hungary (1848-1849, 1867-1869).svg December 22, 19101920Merged with Magyar Aeroforgalmi Rt (MAEFORT) which in turn, merged with Magyar Legiforgalmi R.T. (MALERT) to form Maszovlet. Later Hungary acquired all the Soviet shares of Maszovlet and renamed it to Malév Hungarian Airlines.
St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg 1913May 5, 1914Fixed-wing scheduled passenger commercial aviation service, first in the United States. [2]
Aircraft Transport and Travel Flag of the United Kingdom.svg October 5, 1916February 25, 1921 British Airways British Airways' earliest predecessor company is Aircraft Transport and Travel (AT&T), [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] which began services with the world's first daily scheduled commercial aviation service on August 25, 1919, an international flight from London to Paris. [17] [3] Its assets were used to create Daimler Airway, which continued its services. [13] [18] Through numerous takeovers and mergers, it became a part of British Airways making BA the operating airline with the second oldest predecessor. British Airways merged with Iberia to form International Airlines Group (IAG) on January 21, 2011 and remains in operation as a subsidiary company. [19]
Red Arrow Flying Service Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg 19172007As Chalk's Flying Service, the company claimed to have begun a scheduled international service between Florida and the Bahamas in February 1919. [20] [21] Later renamed Chalk's Ocean Airways and then Chalk's International Airlines.
Deutsche Luft-Reederei Flag of the German Empire.svg / Flag of Germany (3-2 aspect ratio).svg December 19171923Services started February 5, 1919. Became part of Deutscher Aero Lloyd in 1923, merged into Deutsche Luft Hansa in 1926. Founding member of International Air Traffic Association in 1919.
Det Norske Luftfartsrederi Flag of Norway.svg 19181921Founding member of IATA
Det Danske Luftfartselskab Flag of Denmark.svg October 29, 19181951 SAS Services started August 7, 1920. Part of SAS since 1946. It is the third oldest operating airline through its predecessor companies. [22] [23]
Société des lignes Latécoère Flag of France.svg December 25, 1918October 7, 1933Air FranceBegan operations in 1924. [24] [25] It was rebranded as Aéropostale in 1927 and then incorporated into Air France on October 7, 1933. [26] Air France merged with KLM in 2004 to form Air France–KLM and remains in operation as a subsidiary company.
Svensk Lufttrafik Flag of Sweden.svg February 7, 19191921Services started 7 August 1920
Lignes Aériennes Farman Flag of France.svg February 8, 1919October 7, 1933Air FranceBegan a weekly service between Paris and Brussels on March 22, 1919, the world's first international commercial aviation service. [2] [3] Renamed Société Générale des Transports Aériens. Merged with four other airlines to form Air France.
Grands Express Aériens Flag of France.svg March 20, 1919January 1, 1923Air FranceMerged with Compagnie des Messageries Aériennes to form Air Union.
SNETA Flag of Belgium (civil).svg March 31, 1919May 23, 1923 Brussels Airlines Merged into Sabena; operations transferred to Delta Air Transport, which later became SN Brussels Airlines; merged with Virgin Express to form Brussels Airlines. It is the fourth oldest operating airline through its predecessor companies. [27]
Compagnie des Messageries Aériennes Flag of France.svg April 18, 1919January 1, 1923Air FranceMerged with Grands Express Aériens to form Air Union.
Compañía Colombiana de Navegación Aérea – CCNA Flag of Colombia.svg September 26, 1919 [28] July 17, 1922First airline in Colombia with mail contract with Colombian Government.
Koninklijke Luchtvaartmaatschappij [29] Flag of the Netherlands.svg October 7, 1919Still in operation KLM KLM was established under the name Koninklijke Luchtvaartmaatschappij [29] by a group of Dutch businessmen and bankers with the support of the Dutch government. The first KLM flight took place on May 17, 1920. During World War II, KLM stopped operating in Europe, but continued in the West Indies as Dutch Caribbean colonies were not occupied by Nazi Germany. [30] [31] After the war, the government took a majority stake, effectively nationalising the airline during that period. KLM merged with Air France in 2004 to form Air France–KLM and remains in operation as a subsidiary company. It is the fifth oldest airline still in operation when considering predecessor companies. It markets itself as the oldest airline still operating under its original name. [4] [5]
SCADTA Flag of Colombia.svg December 5, 1919June 14, 1940 Avianca Founded as SCADTA in 1919 by Germans and Colombians. American concern during World War II over the German shares of the airline forced SCADTA to merge in 1940 with the smaller state-owned SACO to form Avianca. [32] [33] [34] Avianca spent over a year in Chapter 11 bankruptcy during 2020–21. [35] It the sixth oldest airline still operating by date of foundation of its predecessor. In its past corporate marketing, it has claimed to be the second oldest airline in the world. [36] [37] [38]
Handley Page Transport Flag of the United Kingdom.svg 1919March 31, 1924British AirwaysMerged with three other airlines to form Imperial Airways.
Handley Page Indo-Burmese transport British Raj Red Ensign.svg 1919 [39] 1921 [a] First airline in India (then under British rule).
Instone Air Line Flag of the United Kingdom.svg 1919March 31, 1924British AirwaysMerged with three other airlines to form Imperial Airways.
A/S Aero Flag of Norway.svg January 19201921Merged with Norske Aeroplanfabrik
CFRNA Flag of France.svg / Flag of Romania.svg January 20, 1920October 7, 1933Air FranceRenamed CIDNA in 1925; the French arm was merged with four other airlines to form Air France; the Romanian arm was renamed LARES.
Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Flag of Australia (converted).svg November 16, 1920October 2, 1947 [40] Qantas Qantas was originally established as the Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited (QANTAS). During World War II, most aircraft were used by the RAAF, however limited operations continued within Australia, to/from Singapore and on the Australia-England route. [41] QANTAS was liquidated on 2 October 1947, [40] after the airline was nationalised. The current parent entity is Qantas Airways Limited, which was incorporated in 1967. [42] [43] It is the seventh oldest still-active airline by foundation date when considering predecessor companies. In its marketing, it claims to be the world's second oldest airline, [44] and has claimed to be the "oldest continuously operating airline in the world". [45]
Aeronaut Flag of Estonia.svg March 22, 1921January 11, 1927Operated the routes: Tallinn-Helsinki, Tallinn-Stockholm, Tallinn-Riga-Königsberg and Tallinn-Tartu-Viljandi-Pärnu. Stopped operations in 1927 due to financial problems.
Aerotarg Flag of Poland (1919-1928).svg May 10, 1921June 19, 1921Operated only on the route between Poznań–Warsaw and Poznań–Gdańsk, mainly in order to serve participants and visitors of the first Poznań International Fair.
Daimler Airway Flag of the United Kingdom.svg April, 1921April 1, 1924British Airways Daimler Air Hire, founded June 7, 1919, was combined with the assets of Aircraft Transport and Travel (AT&T) in 1921 to create Daimler Airway. [13] [17] Merged with three other airlines in 1924 to form Imperial Airways.
Mexicana de Aviación Flag of Mexico.svg July 12, 1921August 28, 2010Suspended operations indefinitely. MRO still operational. Brand was revived during 2023.
Deruluft Flag of Germany (3-2 aspect ratio).svg / Flag of the Soviet Union (1936 - 1955).svg November 24, 1921March 31, 1937Joint German-Soviet airline.
West Australian Airways Flag of Australia (converted).svg December 5, 1921June 12, 1936Became part of Australian National Airways.
Aeromarine West Indies Airways Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg 19211924Services started 1 November 1920; first U.S. international air service
Junkers Luftverkehr Flag of Germany (3-2 aspect ratio).svg 19211926A division of the aircraft manufacturer Junkers; became a separate company in 1924; merged into Deutsche Luft Hansa in 1926; joint-ventures with airlines in Austria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland
Beijing-Han Airlines Flag of China (1912-1928).svg March 29, 1922March 31, 1922Founded by warlord Cao Kun with a single Handley Page aircraft, likely a modified HP O/400; fatally crashed in Beijing 3 days later. [46]
Aerolloyd Flag of Poland.svg June 3, 1922December 28, 1929Name changed to Aerolot in 1925; merged with other privately owned airlines in Poland formed LOT Polish Airlines. [47]
Latvijas gaisa satiksme AS Flag of Latvia.svg July 31, 19221928Operated in 1923-1926. With hub in Spilve airport, Riga it served Tallinn-Riga-Kaunas (for some time-Klaipėda)-Koenigsberg route in cooperation with Junkers Luftverkehr AG and Aeronaut. Went bankrupt in 1926, liquidated in 1928.
Malert Flag of Hungary (1915-1918, 1919-1946).svg November 19, 19221944Fore-runner of Malev Hungarian Airlines.
Air Union Flag of France.svg January 1, 1923October 7, 1933Air FranceMerged with four other airlines to form Air France.
Dobrolyot Flag of the Soviet Union.svg / Flag of Russia.svg February 3, 1923Still in operation Aeroflot Founded as Dobrolyot, name changed to Aeroflot in 1932. The company has undergone significant changes in its corporate structure since its foundation.
SABENA Flag of Belgium (civil).svg May 23, 1923February 2002Succeeded by SN Brussels Airlines, which became Brussels Airlines. MRO still operational.
British Marine Air Navigation Co Ltd Flag of the United Kingdom.svg August 1923March 31, 1924Merged with three other airlines to form Imperial Airways.
Czech Airlines Flag of the Czech Republic.svg / Flag of the Czech Republic.svg October 6, 1923October 26, 2024Founded as Czechoslovak State Airlines, name changed to Czech Airlines in 1995.
Aero Flag of Finland.svg November 1, 1923Still in operation Finnair Founded as Aero O/Y, name changed to Finnair in 1968.
Florida Airways Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg 19231927
Ukrpovitroshliakh Flag of the Soviet Union (1924-1936).svg June 1, 19231929AeroflotMerged into Dobrolyot.
Zakavia Flag of the Soviet Union (1924-1936).svg 19231925AeroflotMerged into Ukrvozdukhput.
Condor Syndikat Flag of Germany (3-2 aspect ratio).svg / Flag of Brazil (1889-1960).svg May 5, 1924July 1, 1927German-based Brazilian airline; absorbed into Deutsche Luft Hansa
AB Aerotransport Flag of Sweden.svg June 2, 1924October 1, 1950Formed SAS.
Tajikistan division of Aeroflot Flag of the Soviet Union.svg / Flag of Tajikistan.svg September 3, 1924Still in operation Tajik Air Founded as a division of Aeroflot in Tajik ASSR, became independent in 1991.
Imperial Airways Flag of the United Kingdom.svg March 31, 1924November 24, 1939British AirwaysAmalgamated to form British Overseas Airways Corporation - itself merged to found British Airways.
Slov-Air Flag of the Czech Republic.svg / Flag of Slovakia.svg 19242001Founded as a department of Bata Shoes; name changed to Svitlet in 1948, to Agrolet in 1950 (became part of CSA, became independent in 1955), and to Slov-Air in 1969.
Aero Flag of Poland (1919-1928).svg February 1925December 28, 1929Merged with Aerolot formed LOT Polish Airlines.
Ryan Airline Company Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg April 19, 19251926Name changed to B. F. Mahoney Aircraft Corporation.
National Air Transport Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg May 21, 19251934 United Airlines Became part of United Airlines following Air Mail Act of 1934.
Western Air Express Flag of the United States.svg July 1925April 1, 1987 Delta Air Lines Founded as Western Air Express, which commenced operations April 17, 1926; merged with Transcontinental Air Transport to form Transcontinental & Western Air in 1930; severed from T & WA again in 1934; named changed to General Air Lines and back to Western Air Express in 1934, and to Western Airlines in 1941; merged with Delta Air Lines in 1987. Los Angeles-San Diego Air Line started service in 1925 with Ryan modified Davis-Douglas Cloudster.
Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano Flag of Bolivia.svg September 15, 19252010Former flag carrier of Bolivia; replaced by Boliviana de Aviación.
Unión Aérea Española Flag of Spain (1785-1873, 1875-1931).svg 19251929Merged with Concesionaria de Líneas Aéreas Subvencionadas following Wall Street Crash of 1929.
Ford Air Transport Service Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg 19251932The world's first regularly scheduled commercial cargo airline.
Società Anonima Navigazione Aerea Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg 19251934Merged with three other airlines to form Ala Littoria.
Pacific Air Transport Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg January 1926December 17, 1928Merged into Boeing Air Transport, but continued to operate as a separate division until 1934.
Deutsche Luft Hansa Flag of Germany (3-2 aspect ratio).svg / Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg January 6, 1926April 22, 1945Name styles as Deutsche Lufthansa from 1933. Operations suspended following the German defeat in World War II. There is no legal connection to Lufthansa, which was founded in 1953.
Western Canadian Airways Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg March 19261930Amalgamated with several Eastern Canadian carriers forming Canadian Airways.
Varney Air Lines Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg April 6, 1926May 1934United AirlinesBegan passenger service on April 6, 1926. Merged with three other airlines to form United Airlines following the Air Mail scandal in 1933 and the Air Mail Act of 1934. In 1934 Varney Speed Lines was established becoming Continental Airlines in 1936 when Robert Six took over control.
American Airways Flag of the United States.svg April 15, 1926Still in operation American Airlines
Eastern Air Lines Flag of the United States.svg April 19, 1926January 17, 1991Started Operations in 1926 as Pitcairn Aviation. Until 1930 changed to "Eastern Air Transport" then Eastern Air Lines until 1991. Re-established in 2015 until 2017. Brand relaunched again in 2018.
Northwest Airlines Flag of the United States.svg September 10, 1926January 31, 2010Delta Air LinesMerged with Delta Air Lines.
Colonial Air Transport Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg 19261930American AirlinesFormed American Airlines.
Pan American World Airways Flag of the United States.svg March 14, 1927December 4, 1991Founded by Juan T. Trippe and began operations in 1927 as Pan American Airways (PAA). Former de facto flag carrier of United States. [48] Bankrupted in 1991 due to: high fuel prices because of the first Gulf War and 1973 oil crisis; a series of hijackings; no US network until the 1980s; the Lockerbie bombing of flight 103.
Varig Flag of Brazil.svg May 7, 1927July 20, 2006New airline formed with the same name in 2006 and eventually sold to Gol Transportes Aéreos.
Aeroput Flag of Yugoslavia (1918-1943).svg / Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg /
Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg / Flag of Serbia.svg
June 17, 192724 December 1948 Air Serbia Formed as Aeroput in 1927, then re-formed as JAT - Jugoslovenski aerotransport in 1947, rebranded as Jat Airways in 2003, and then as Air Serbia in 2013.
Iberia Flag of Spain.svg June 28, 1927Still in operation Iberia Merged with British Airways to form International Airlines Group (IAG) in January 2011 and remains in operation as a subsidiary company.
Maddux Air Lines Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg September 22, 1927November 16, 1929Merged with TAT to form TAT-Maddux Air Lines, itself merged to form T & WA.
Scenic Airways Flag of the United States.svg October 3, 1927Still in operation Grand Canyon Airlines Founded as Scenic Airways; name changed to Grand Canyon Airlines in 1930.
Bunavad Flag of Bulgaria.svg October 25, 19271930First national airline of Bulgaria.
Cruzeiro do Sul Flag of Brazil (1889-1960).svg December 1, 1927January 1, 1993Founded as Syndicato Condor; name changed to Cruzeiro do Sul in 1943; merged with Varig in 1993.
Standard Air Lines Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg 1927March 1930Sold off to Western Air Express, itself merged to form T & WA.
National Parks Airways Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg 19271937Bought out by Western Air Express.
Wien Air Alaska Flag of the United States.svg 1927November 23, 1984First airline in Alaska.
MacRobertson Miller Airlines Flag of Australia (converted).svg 19271993Absorbed into Ansett.
Paul R. Braniff, Inc. Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg May 29, 1928March 1929First Braniff brothers airline entity that operated scheduled service between Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma. Forerunner of Braniff Airways and then became Braniff Air Lines, Inc., and later Braniff Airways, Inc. in November 1930.
KNILM Flag of the Netherlands.svg / Flag of Indonesia.svg July 16, 1928August 1, 1947First operated as KNILM. KNILM dissolved and transferred to KLM Interinsulair Bedrijf (today Garuda Indonesia)
Universal Air Lines Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg July 30, 19281934American AirlinesMerged with other companies to form American Airlines.
ETA Flag of Brazil (1889-1960).svg August 10, 1928November 16, 1929Ceased operations due to administrative difficulties.
British Columbia Airways Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg August 16, 1928August 25, 1928Had a single Ford 4-AT Trimotor which crashed. [49]
Faucett Perú Flag of Peru.svg September 15, 1928December 3, 1997
Japan Air Transport Merchant flag of Japan (1870).svg October 28, 19281938Merged into Imperial Japanese Airways.
Delta Air Service Flag of the United States.svg December 3, 19281930Delta Air LinesFounded as an aircraft manufacture, Ogdensburg Aeroway Corp, in 1920, became Huff Daland Dusters for crop dusting in 1925 (not an airline). Acquired and became an airline, 'Delta Air Service' in 1928. Passenger operations began on June 17, 1929, [50] and continued until October 1930. [51] Restarted as Delta Air Lines in 1934. [52] [53] [54]
Polskie Linie Lotnicze LOT Flag of Poland.svg December 29, 1928Still in operation LOT Polish Airlines Polskie Linie Lotnicze LOT created by the Polish government; they have since absorbed airlines Aerolot (1922) and Aero (1925).
Mid-Continent Airlines Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg 1928August 26, 1952Founded as Hanford's Tri-State Airlines; name changed to Mid-Continent Airlines in 1938; merged into Braniff International Airways in 1952.
Transcontinental Air Transport Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg 19281930American AirlinesMerged with Western Air Express to form Transcontinental & Western Air (T & WA) in 1930; renamed Trans World Airlines (TWA) in 1950; merged into American Airlines in 2001.
Inter-Island Airways Flag of the United States.svg January 30, 1929Still in operation Hawaiian Airlines Incorporated January 30, 1929 as Inter-Island Airways. Began service October 6, 1929. Name changed to Hawaiian Airlines October 1, 1941. Merged with Alaska Airlines on September 18, 2024, Hawaiian Airlines still operates as a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group. [55] [56]
Línea Aeropostal Santiago-Arica Flag of Chile.svg March 5, 1929Still in operation LATAM Chile Began as Línea Aeropostal Santiago-Arica. It took the name Línea Aérea Nacional de Chile (LAN Chile) in 1932. In September 1989, the Chilean government privatized the carrier. LAN Chile became LAN Airlines in 2004 but in 2010, LAN merged with TAM Airlines and became LATAM Airlines. LAN Airlines still operates under the name LATAM Chile as a subsidiary of LATAM Airlines Group.
CLASSA  – Concesionaria de Líneas Aéreas Subvencionadas Flag of Spain (1785-1873, 1875-1931).svg May 13, 1929July 18, 1936Ceased operations due to the Spanish Civil War.
Linea Aeropostal Venezolana Flag of Venezuela.svg July 3, 1929August 1994 Aeropostal Alas de Venezuela Founded as Linea Aeropostal Venezolana LAV. Name changed to Aeropostal Alas de Venezuela in 1997 after privatization.
Pan American-Grace Airways Flag of the United States.svg September 13, 1929February 1, 1969Joint venture between Pan American Airways and W.R. Grace [b] ; merged into Braniff in 1969.
Cubana de Aviación Flag of Cuba.svg October 8, 1929Still in operation Cubana de Aviación
Panair do Brasil Flag of Brazil (1889-1960).svg October 22, 1929February 16, 1965Founded as Nyrba do Brasil. Name changed to Panair do Brasil in 1930. Bankruptcy forced by the Brazilian Militar Dictatorship Government.
Wiggins Airways Flag of the United States.svg 1929June 1, 2024Purchased by Ameriflight in 2014, it was formally made a division of Ameriflight on June 1 2024. [58]
Union Airways Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg July 24, 1929January 31, 1934First South African airline; taken over by the government and renamed South African Airways.
Australian National Airways Flag of Australia (converted).svg 19291931
Trans World Airlines Flag of the United States.svg July 16, 1930December 1, 2001American AirlinesAcquired by American Airlines.
China National Aviation Corporation Flag of the Republic of China.svg / Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg August 1, 1930July 17, 1952 Air China Merged with CATC to form CAAC Airlines.
Aviaarktika Flag of the Soviet Union.svg September 1, 1930January 3, 1960AeroflotAbsorbed into Aeroflot.
Braniff International Airways Flag of the United States.svg November 13, 1930May 12/May 13, 1982
New England & Western Air Transportation Co. Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg 19301930
South West African Airways Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg 19301935First commercial air service in South West Africa (Namibia)

For airlines founded after 1930 see Category: Airlines by year of establishment

Notes

  1. Exact date unknown; known to have still been operational at this date
  2. W.R. Grace owned Grace Shipping Company, the largest shipping company in South America [57]

References

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  3. 1 2 3 Encyclopedia of the Anthropocene. Elsevier. 2017-11-27. ISBN   978-0-12-813576-1. The first, scheduled international air service commenced in Mar., 1919, linking Paris and Brussels, while a daily service connecting Paris and London by August.
  4. 1 2 Cook, Gerald N.; Billig, Bruce G. (2023). Airline Operations and Management: A Management Textbook. Taylor & Francis. ISBN   978-1-000-86999-6. KLM, founded in 1919 and claiming the title of the world oldest airline under the same name
  5. 1 2 "History of KLM - KLM United States". History of KLM - KLM United States. Archived from the original on 2025-06-29. Retrieved 2025-07-04. KLM is the oldest airline in the world still operating under its original name.
  6. Hartmann 2006, p. 2.
  7. Hartmann 2006, p. 5.
  8. L'histoire d'Air France.
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  12. Grant, Tina; Derdak, Thomas (1996). International Directory of Company Histories. St. James Press. p. 70. ISBN   978-1-55862-342-2. British Airways' earliest predecessor was Aircraft Transport & Travel, Ltd., founded in 1916.
  13. 1 2 3 Cook, Gerald N.; Billig, Bruce G. (2023). Airline Operations and Management: A Management Textbook. Taylor & Francis. p. 5. ISBN   978-1-000-86999-6.
  14. Rothacher, Albrecht (2005). Corporate Globalization: Business Cultures in Asia and Europe. Marshall Cavendish Academic. p. 90. ISBN   978-981-210-373-4. BA's earliest predecessor was Aircraft Transport & Travel
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  16. Segell, Glen (1998). The Defence Industrial Base and Foreign Policy. Glen Segell Publishers. ISBN   978-1-901414-12-7.
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  25. Johnson, Amy (2014). Sky Roads of the World. RHE Media Limited. ISBN   978-1-910226-11-7. Air France can claim the oldest air service in the world, for it was in 1918 that the beginnings of the South Atlantic air mail service were laid
  26. "The Group". www.airfranceklm.com. Retrieved 2025-07-06. Air France [was] founded on 7 October .. 1933, through the merger of five French airlines – Air Union, Air Orient, Société Générale de Transport Aérienne (SGTA), CIDNA, and Aéropostale. ... In 1924, Jean Mermoz established the route between Toulouse and Barcelona, which flies over the Pyrenees.
  27. "Brussels Airlines". www.britannica.com. 2025-07-04. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
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  29. 1 2 "The Group | AIR FRANCE KLM". www.airfranceklm.com. Retrieved 2025-07-06. under the name Koninklijke Luchtvaartmaatschappij
  30. "The history of KLM's West-Indian Operation". 6 May 2016.
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  34. Armitage, M. J.; Gunston, Bill (1992). Chronicle of Aviation. JL International Pub. ISBN   978-1-872031-30-9. Avianca founded in 1919
  35. "Avianca emerges from chapter 11". December 1, 2021.
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  38. "Avianca and Civitatis seal global strategic alliance". December 15, 2022. the world's second oldest airline
  39. Fraser-Mitchell, A. H. "Handley Page Ltd. 1909-1970. 60 years of Achievement" (PDF). aerosociety.com. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  40. 1 2 Centre for Transformative Innovation, Swinburne University of Technology. "Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited (QANTAS) - Corporate Body - Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation". www.eoas.info. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  41. "World at War". Qantas.com.au. 4 February 1942. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
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