Солтүстік Америка Әуе Жолдары: 1989-2014 жылдар тарихы

Defunct airline of the United States (1989–2014)

North American Airlines, Inc., was an American airline with its headquarters at the HLH Building in Peachtree City, Georgia in Greater Atlanta, United States. Prior to May 2008, it operated scheduled international services from the U. S. to Africa and Guyana. Later it operated domestic and international charter services and wet lease services. Its main aircraft and maintenance base was Tampa International Airport.

North American Airlines was a subsidiary of Global Aviation Holdings, Inc., formerly Global Aero Logistics, Inc. Unlike the other airlines that are or were a part of Global Aviation, ATA Airlines (now defunct) and World Airways (now defunct), North American was founded after airline deregulation in the United States. North American was established in 1989 and began operations on January 20, 1990. It was founded by Dan McKinnon, former head of the then Civil Aeronautics Board. The airline was acquired by World Air Holdings in April 2005. It began by flying charter flights on Boeing 757 aircraft. The company grew during the 1990s, adding flights to San Juan, Puerto Rico, various spots in Mexico and other destinations. North American also started a scheduled flight from Los Angeles International Airport to JFK to complement El Al's existing Tel Aviv JFK LAX run and provide the Israeli airline with more passengers. North American also opened operations in Newark, New Jersey, and Oakland, California, at that time. In addition to their original 757s, North American also operated Boeing 767s for long range, high density charter flights. On April 5, 2007, New ATA Holdings, Inc., bought out North American Airlines parent company World Air Holdings, Inc. and promptly changed the name of the holding company to Global Aero Logistics, Inc. to reflect the worldwide desires of the latest owners. The same firm, MatlinPatterson had recently divested themselves of Varig at the end of March 2006, although they still maintained financial interests at its former cargo subsidiary VarigLog (LC). The company was renamed Global Aviation Holdings, Inc., on Feb. 26, 2009. North American shut down in March 2014 for bankruptcy reasons.

North American's charter operations made up the bulk of its business: resorts such as Club Med and tour operators in Hawaii and the Caribbean chartered North American's aircraft on a regular basis. Since discontinuing all scheduled service in May 2008, North American Airlines continued to operate until 2014 as solely a charter airline.

As a certified United States Department of Defense air carrier, NAA provided military personnel and their dependents air transportation to destinations not served by commercial airlines. North American was the first airline to provide the capability of the Boeing 767 aircraft to the United States Military in 2002. NAA operated military transport flights out of Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport and other locations. The carrier maintained a long standing wet lease relationship with Air Jamaica, providing wet leased 767 aircraft and crew for the airline's Kingston New York service. In the summer of 2007, Air Jamaica increased its dependence on North American Airlines' services as the Jamaican company struggled to cope with higher than expected demand. North American Airlines also operated charter cargo service to Gibraltar in co operation with the Odyssey Marine Exploration. North American Airlines also served as then Senator Barack Obama' campaign carrier, flying him, his staff and the press through Election Day. When he was named the Democratic nominee, the aircraft, a Boeing 757, underwent a major overhaul. The interior was fitted with 4 captains chairs, a table with seating for 4, as well as 16 business class seats for staff. In addition, the exterior was repainted with the campaign logo and slogan "Change We Can Believe In".