COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 4522

Air Transportation, Nonscheduled

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

16companies1932–1985founding years14still active2no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironment
FoundedEgyptAirFoundedEgyptAir
1932
FoundedSociété Air FranceFoundedSociété Air France
1933
EconomyNew Deal reforms reshape banking and industry.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long postwar expansion begins.
FoundedBritish World Airlines Ltd.FoundedBritish World Airlines Ltd.FoundedEmery Worldwide Airlines, Inc.FoundedEmery Worldwide Airlines, Inc.
1946
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented at Bell Labs.
FoundedEl Al Israel Airlines Ltd.FoundedEl Al Israel Airlines Ltd.
1949
1956
EconomyThe Interstate Highway program remakes commerce.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
FoundedKorean Air Lines Co., Ltd.FoundedKorean Air Lines Co., Ltd.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedRed Apple Group, Inc.FoundedRed Apple Group, Inc.
1970
EnvironmentThe EPA is founded; environmental regulation expands.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; Nasdaq opens.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins with the Altair.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedKitty Hawk, Inc.FoundedKitty Hawk, Inc.
1985
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall 22% in a single day.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2001
EconomyThe September 11 attacks; a recession follows.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 begin to take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

EgyptAir →
Active · founded 1932 · Egypt
EgyptAir is the second largest airline on the African continent (exceeded only by South African Airways) and is the…
EgyptAir →
Active · founded 1932 · Egypt
EgyptAir is the second largest airline on the African continent (exceeded only by South African Airways) and is the…
Société Air France →
Active · founded 1933 · France
One of the world's largest airlines, Société Air France is trying to shake a somewhat troubled reputation and a…
Société Air France →
Active · founded 1933 · France
One of the world's largest airlines, Société Air France is trying to shake a somewhat troubled reputation and a…
British World Airlines Ltd. →
Defunct · founded 1946 · United Kingdom
British World Airlines Ltd.
British World Airlines Ltd. →
Defunct · founded 1946 · United Kingdom
British World Airlines Ltd.
Emery Worldwide Airlines, Inc. →
Active · founded 1946
Emery Worldwide Airlines, Inc., commonly known as Emery Worldwide, is an integrated air freight carrier that provides…
Emery Worldwide Airlines, Inc. →
Active · founded 1946
Emery Worldwide Airlines, Inc., commonly known as Emery Worldwide, is an integrated air freight carrier that provides…
El Al Israel Airlines Ltd. →
Active · founded 1949 · Israel
In its 50-year history El Al Israel Airlines Ltd.
El Al Israel Airlines Ltd. →
Active · founded 1949 · Israel
In its 50-year history El Al Israel Airlines Ltd.
Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd. →
Active · founded 1962 · Korea
Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd.
Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd. →
Active · founded 1962 · Korea
Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd.
Red Apple Group, Inc. →
Active · founded 1970
Under the names Gristede's, Sloan's, and Red Apple, Red Apple Group, Inc., wholly owned by John A.
Red Apple Group, Inc. →
Active · founded 1970
Under the names Gristede's, Sloan's, and Red Apple, Red Apple Group, Inc., wholly owned by John A.
Kitty Hawk, Inc. →
Active · founded 1985
Kitty Hawk, Inc.
Kitty Hawk, Inc. →
Active · founded 1985
Kitty Hawk, Inc.
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