AirNet Express
Encyclopedia
AirNet is an American
Part 135 cargo airline
based in Franklin County, Ohio
, USA
, near Columbus
. It specializes in delivery of documents and small packages. Banks were once their main client, transporting checks for over 300 of the country's largest banks. With the passing of the Check 21 Act
, and the increase in the usage of electronic banking, this has been greatly reduced. Airnet is now focusing on time critical documents and packages, such as those required in the scientific and medical field. The main sort facility is located at Rickenbacker International Airport
in Columbus. In September 2008, Airnet announced that they were moving the sort facility to Chicago
, reducing the number of aircraft, and redesigning their route network. Corporate headquarters will remain in Columbus
and Data Air Courier of Chicago, Illinois.
In order to raise additional capital and further grow the company, US Check went public in 1998 to become AirNet Systems. In 2008, AirNet Systems was purchased by Bayside Capital
, which also owns Flight Express of Orlando, FL.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Part 135 cargo airline
Cargo airline
Cargo airlines are airlines dedicated to the transport of cargo. Some cargo airlines are divisions or subsidiaries of larger passenger airlines.-Logistics:...
based in Franklin County, Ohio
Franklin County, Ohio
Franklin County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. In 2010 the population was 1,163,414, making it the second largest county in Ohio and the 34th largest county in population in the United States. Franklin County is also the largest in the eight-county Columbus, Ohio...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, near Columbus
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
. It specializes in delivery of documents and small packages. Banks were once their main client, transporting checks for over 300 of the country's largest banks. With the passing of the Check 21 Act
Check 21 Act
The Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act is a United States federal law, , that was enacted on October 28, 2003 by the 108th Congress. The Check 21 Act took effect one year later on October 28, 2004...
, and the increase in the usage of electronic banking, this has been greatly reduced. Airnet is now focusing on time critical documents and packages, such as those required in the scientific and medical field. The main sort facility is located at Rickenbacker International Airport
Rickenbacker International Airport
Rickenbacker International Airport is a joint civil-military public airport located 10 miles south of the central business district of Columbus, near the village of Lockbourne in extreme southern Franklin County, Ohio, United States. The southern end of the airport extends into northern Pickaway...
in Columbus. In September 2008, Airnet announced that they were moving the sort facility to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, reducing the number of aircraft, and redesigning their route network. Corporate headquarters will remain in Columbus
History
Financial Air Express / PDQ was founded in 1974 by Gerald Mercer in Pontiac, MI. Jet Courier was founded at about the same time by Donald Wright in Cincinnati, OH. Jet Courier changed its name to Wright International Express in January 1985. In July 1988, these two companies merged to become US Check, headed by Gerald Mercer. US Check acquired Air Continental of Norwalk, OH a year later to become a dominant player in the cancelled check transportation industry. US Check later acquired Midway Aviation of Dallas, TX, Pacific Air Charter of San Diego, CA, Express Convenience Center of Southfield, MassachusettsSouthfield, Massachusetts
Southfield is a planned community located on the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station in South Weymouth, Massachusetts. It is a site that overlaps three towns in Massachusetts: Weymouth, Abington, and Rockland. Southfield will contain 2,855 housing units and up to of commercial space at full...
and Data Air Courier of Chicago, Illinois.
In order to raise additional capital and further grow the company, US Check went public in 1998 to become AirNet Systems. In 2008, AirNet Systems was purchased by Bayside Capital
H.I.G. Capital
H.I.G. Capital is an alternative investment firm that operates a family of private equity and venture capital funds as well as distressed debt and public equity hedge funds...
, which also owns Flight Express of Orlando, FL.
Fleet
The Airnet Express fleet consists of the following aircraft (Dec 2008):| Aircraft | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bombardier Learjet 35 | 6 | |
| Bombardier Learjet 35A | 18 | |
| Cessna 208 Cessna 208 The Cessna 208 Caravan is a single turboprop engine, fixed-gear short-haul regional airliner and utility aircraft built in the United States by Cessna. The airplane typically seats nine passengers, with a single person crew, although with a FAR Part 23 waiver, it can seat up to fourteen passengers... |
7 | |
| Beechcraft Baron BE-58 Beechcraft Baron |-See also:- Further reading :*Harding, Stephen. U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947. Shrewsbury, UK:Airlife Publishing, 1990. ISBN 1-85310-102-8.*Michell, Simon. Jane's Civil and Military Aircraft Upgrades 1994-95. Coulsdon, UK:Jane's Information Group, 1994. ISBN 0-7106-1208-7.*Taylor, John W. R.... |
41 | |
| Piper PA-31 Navajo Piper PA-31 Navajo The Piper PA-31 Navajo is a family of cabin-class, twin-engine aircraft designed and built by Piper Aircraft for the general aviation market, most using Lycoming engines. It was also licence-built in a number of Latin American countries. Targeted at small-scale cargo and feeder liner operations and... |
17 |