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| Founded | 1974; 51 years ago (1974) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hubs | Rickenbacker International Airport | ||||||
| Fleet size | 89 | ||||||
| Parent company | Kalitta Charters | ||||||
| Headquarters | Rickenbacker International Airport Franklin County, Ohio | ||||||
| Key people | John Dupuy, CEO | ||||||
| Website | http://www.airnet.com | ||||||
AirNet is an American Part 135cargo airline based inFranklin County, Ohio, United States, nearColumbus.[1] 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 theCheck 21 Act, and the increase in the usage ofelectronic 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 atRickenbacker International Airport in Columbus. In September 2008, AirNet announced that they were moving their sort facility toChicago, reducing the number of aircraft, and redesigning their route network. Their corporate headquarters remains in Columbus.[2][3]
Financial Air Express / PDQ was founded in 1974 by Gerald Mercer inPontiac, MI.Jet Courier was founded at about the same time by Donald Wright inCincinnati, OH. Jet Courier changed its name toWright International Express in January 1985. In July 1988, these two companies merged to becomeUS Check Airlines, headed by Gerald Mercer. US Check acquiredAir Continental ofNorwalk, OH a year later to become a dominant player in the cancelled check transportation industry. US Check later acquiredMidway Aviation ofDallas, TX,Pacific Air Charter ofSan Diego, CA,Express Convenience Center ofSouthfield, Massachusetts andData Air Courier ofChicago, Illinois.[4]
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 byBayside Capital, which had once owned the now defunctFlight Express ofOrlando, FL.In August 2015Kalitta Charters acquired AirNet.[5]
AirNet's destinations (As of January 2019[update]):[6]
The Airnet Express fleet consists of the following aircraft (As of May 2012[update]):[7]
| Aircraft | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bombardier Learjet 35 | 6 | |
| Bombardier Learjet 35A | 18 | |
| Cessna 208 | 16 | |
| Beechcraft Baron BE-58 | 39 | |
| Piper PA-31 Navajo | 16 |
An AirNetBeechcraft Baron was lost in a crash on 8 January 2022 nearDefiance, Missouri, killing the two occupants. The plane had been traveling toCentennial Airport inColorado.[8]
