Zantop Air Transport
Encyclopedia
Zantop Air Transport was formed from Zantop Flying Service
in 1962. The Civil Aeronautics Board approved transfer of the operating certificate of Coastal Airlines to Zantop Air Transport, which had incorporated and become a supplemental air carrier. The former company had been a hauler for the Big Three
automakers. With the new arrangement Zantop could provide individually waybilled services. The original founders of Zantop Flying Services, the Zantop brothers, all sold their stock and resigned from the company in 1966, at which time it became Universal Airlines
, Inc.
The airline was based at Wayne County Airport, Inster, Michigan.
Zantop International Airlines
was incorporated in May, 1972 with 100% of the stock being owned by the Zantop family.
Zantop Flying Service
Zantop Flying Service was formed by brothers Duane, Lloyd, Howard and Elroy Zantop as a partnership in 1946. The base of operations for the new company was Jackson, Michigan. At first, the fledgling company used light aircraft, and performed cargo duties for General Motors. In 1952 the company...
in 1962. The Civil Aeronautics Board approved transfer of the operating certificate of Coastal Airlines to Zantop Air Transport, which had incorporated and become a supplemental air carrier. The former company had been a hauler for the Big Three
Big Three automobile manufacturers
The Big Three, when used in relation to the automotive industry, most generally refers to the three major American automotive companies:Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler...
automakers. With the new arrangement Zantop could provide individually waybilled services. The original founders of Zantop Flying Services, the Zantop brothers, all sold their stock and resigned from the company in 1966, at which time it became Universal Airlines
Universal Airlines (US)
Universal Airlines was a United States airline that operated from 1966 to 1972, based at Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti, Michigan. It initially grew out of Zantop Air Transport, starting with a small fleet of Lockheed L-188 Electra. In April 1968 Universal took delivery of two Douglas DC-8...
, Inc.
The airline was based at Wayne County Airport, Inster, Michigan.
Zantop International Airlines
Zantop International Airlines
Zantop International Airlines, Inc., was incorporated in May, 1972 as a Michigan corporation, the stock of which was 100% owned by the Zantop family. The same persons had formerly operated Zantop Flying Service and Zantop Air Transport.-History:...
was incorporated in May, 1972 with 100% of the stock being owned by the Zantop family.
Fleet
The Zantop Air Transport fleet consists of the following aircraft as of :1966| Aircraft | Total | Routes | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARMSTRONG WHITWORTH ARGOSY | 7 | |||
| CURTISS WRIGHT C-46 COMMANDO | 51 | |||
| DC-3/C-47 | 11 | |||
| DC-4 / C-54 | 6 | |||
| DC-6 | 5 | |||
| DC-7BF | 17 | Detroit-Willow Run |
Incidents and accidents
- 28 July 1966 Curtiss C-46A-45-CU N9905F
- 16 June 1966 Curtiss C-46A-60-CK N10415 2 Fatlities
- 14 October 1965 Armstrong Whitworth AW-650 Arg N601Z
- 13 September 1965 Curtiss C-46D-5-CU N5132B
- 30 December 1964 Curtiss C-46A-45-CU N608Z 4 Fatalities
- 20 November 1964 Curtiss C-46F-1-CU N3971B
- 30 June 1964 Douglas C-54A-5-DC N188S
- 7 December 1963 Curtiss C-46A-20-CU N609Z 3 Fatalities
- 16 Feb 1963 Curtiss C-46F-1-CU N616Z
- 14 November 1961 Douglas DC-4 N30061