note

Airline can trace its roots to Southern Airways a FBO operator and flight school based in Atlanta Georgia. In 1939 Frank Hulse and Ike Jones took control of Southern Airways and in 1944 applied with Civil Aeronautical Board for airline operating license in Georgia and 7 southern states. In June 1949 first scheduled flight take off from Atlanta to Memphis via Gadsden, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and Columbus MO to Memphis operating Douglas DC-3. Flights to Jacksonville FL and Carolinas are introduced the same year. Airline grew steadily with mixture fleet of DC-3s and Martin 404s. DC-3 is retired in July 1967 while airlines first jet a Douglas DC-9 is delivered in May. Airline expands rapidly in the 1970s with network of 50 cities in 17 states and flights to Cayman Islands. Fuel crisis in early 1970s together with fallout after two tragic accidents, increased competition from the interstate highway system and other carriers after 1978 airline industry deregulation put Southern Airways in serious financial difficulties. Airline is acquired in July 1979 by another regional carrier North Central and both form new entity called Republic Airlines which becomes major airline. In October 1986 Republic is acquired by Northwest Orient.

founded - demised (age)

February 1 1944 - July 1 1979  (35)

headquarters

, Atlanta, GA

web

www.southernairways.org

base airports

KATL Hartsfield - Jackson Atlanta International Atlanta
KMEM International Memphis

related operators

North Central Airlines	merged 1979
Republic Airlines	merged 1979