note

Founded as Wisconsin Central Airlines in 1944 to provide air service from its base in Wausau Wisconsin using Cessna Bobcats. It was operated previsouly as part of Four Wheel Drive Company transport out of Clintonville in central Wisconsin. Since 1947 it also operated US Mail route throughout Michigan Upper Penninsula, Northeast MInnesota and Wisconsin out of Chicago. Airline service commenced on February 24 1948 with Lockheed 10A aircraft. At this time new logo, flying Duck known as Herman, was introduced which became iconic. In 1951 6 DC-3s were purchased from TWA. In 1952 company headquaters moved to Minneapolis, MN which lead to change of the name to North Central Airlines. By 1960 airline became largest local service airline with over 1 million passengers boardings per year. Convair CV-340s joined fleet in 1959. In 1963 North Central was hired by US Government to assist Lloyd Aereo Boliviano to turn into profitability. In 1967 first jet, a DC-9 was delivered. NCAs Convairs were being converted to turboprop CV-580s at this time as well. In 1969 IBM computerized information system Escort was put to service. Reservations were tracked through Escort as well. By 1976, North Central operated flights as far east as Boston, Denver in the West and Atlanta in the south. Thunder Bay, Toronto and Winnipeg were served in Canada. In July 1979 airline merged with another regional carrier Southern Airways to become Republic Airlines. Combined revenues of both carrier put Republic Airlines into major category. Republic Airlines was in 1986 acquired by Northwest Orient Airlines

founded - demised (age)

May 15 1944 - July 1 1979  (35)

headquarters

, Minneapolis, MN

web

www.hermantheduck.org

base airports

KMSP International Minneapolis - St Paul	home base 1952
KDTW Wayne County International Detroit
KCLI Municipal Clintonville	original base

related operators

Southern Airways	merged
Republic Airlines	successor