AAXICO Airlines was an airline based in the United States. AAXICO is an acronym for the American Air Export and Import Company. Initially founded as a non-scheduled charter airline, the company unsuccessfully applied for an operating certificate to offer scheduled flights. After exploring different areas of business, the company transitioned to carrying passengers and cargo under contracts with the United States military.

History

The company was founded in Fall 1945 in Miami, Florida by Charles A. Carroll, who started with $14,000, one airplane, and 14 employees. ^[1] It initially operated as a non-scheduled airline offering service to Miami, New York, Atlantic City, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Charlotte, Tampa, and Norfolk. ^[1] It was the first airline to offer direct flights between New York and Havana, Cuba. ^[1] AAXICO's initial flight service consisted of five daily flights from New York to Atlantic City geared toward the horse racing industry, with the last flight scheduled to wait until after the last race. ^[2] In November 1946, the airline was grounded by the Civil Aeronautics Board for violating its non-scheduled airline charter, which only permitted it to operate ten flights per month. ^[3] The company had already petitioned the CAB for a permit to operate scheduled flights, but no date had been set for a hearing. ^[3] After meeting the head of the CAB's litigation section, Carroll announced that the airline would not be permitted to fly scheduled flights, but would be allowed to carry passengers at "irregular departure times" to destinations in the East, Southeast, and Caribbean. ^[4] In the aftermath of the CAB action, the company fired Carroll as president of the company and grounded all but three of its nine aircraft. ^{[5] [6]}

In October 1947, the CAB held a seven-week-long hearing on the airline's application for a certificate to operate all-expense and group-conducted tours by air. ^[7] With no decision reached by the CAB, the airline suspended operations in April 1948, stating that its four aircraft would be offered for sale or lease. ^[7] In August 1949, the CAB denied the airline's application. ^[8]

By 1952, AAXICO was carrying cargo and passengers on a long-term contract with the United States Air Force. ^{[9] [10]} AAXICO temporarily suspended flight operations on June 30, 1960, in negotiations with Air Line Pilots Association, International. ^[11] Prior to its merger, AAXICO had a Department of Defense contract to carry 25,000 lbs of cargo daily. ^[12] Its airline operations ceased in 1966, when they were sold to Saturn Airways. ^[13]

Incidents and accidents

• On September 2, 1959, a Curtiss C-46F Commando flying AAXICO Trip 7002 between Dyess Air Force Base and Carswell Air Force Base experienced a mechanical issue with the elevators in flight and attempted to return to Dyess Air Force Base. While attempting to land, the aircraft crashed, killing the two crew members aboard. ^[14]
• On August 14, 1963, a AAXICO Airlines Curtiss C-46F flying a cargo flight near Great Falls, Montana experienced an engine failure leading to attempted landing in a plowed field. The aircraft struck an embankment and was destroyed, killing the first officer. ^[15]
• On September 25, 1963, An AAXICO Airlines C-46F operating flight LOGAIR 14/25 experienced an engine fire and crashed at McCarran Field in Las Vegas, Nevada while attempting to perform an emergency landing. Both crew members were uninjured, but the aircraft experienced substantial structural damage. ^[16]
• On April 23, 1965, a Douglas DC-6A operated by Aaxico Airlines crashed into the west slope of Mount Rainier, Washington, destroying the aircraft and killing the five crewmembers aboard. ^[17]
• On May 18, 1965, a DC-6A operated by AAXICO Airlines crashed during an approach to a landing at Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster, Missouri, destroying the aircraft. The three crew members aboard escaped uninjured. ^[18]

See also

• List of defunct airlines of the United States

References

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