Longstanding Aviation Businesses Still Flying High
In the early days of commercial aviation, a handful of airlines emerged as trailblazers, carving out paths for the industry to follow. Today, these pioneering companies continue to thrive, showcasing resilience, adaptability, and groundbreaking achievements in air transport.
One such airline is KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, the oldest airline still flying under the same name since its inception in 1919. KLM made history by becoming the first continental European airline to start scheduled transatlantic flights, between Amsterdam and New York City, in 1946. Post-World War II, the airline expanded rapidly, pioneering flights to the Netherlands East Indies, the Americas, and Africa. KLM was also the first European airline to operate Lockheed Electra aircraft. Today, KLM remains a major international carrier, now a subsidiary in the Air France-KLM group.
Another long-standing aviation powerhouse is Czech Airlines, founded as Czechoslovak State Airlines in 1923. Despite multiple country regime changes, Czech Airlines has managed to maintain operations, carrying on the legacy of state airline services in Central Europe.
Finnair, the oldest airline in the Nordics, was established in 1923 as Aero O/Y and renamed Finnair in 1968. Finnair has leveraged Finland's geographic location to operate 24/7 flights between Europe and Asia. The airline is renowned for its safety and punctuality, ranking among the world’s safest and most punctual airlines.
Delta Air Lines, the oldest US airline with continuous operations under related entities, evolved from Huff Daland Dusters, an aerial crop dusting company, into a passenger service by 1929. Delta has become one of the world's largest airlines by passenger traffic and fleet size, demonstrating successful corporate evolution and strategic management.
Philippine Airlines, Asia’s oldest carrier with continuous operation under its name, was established in 1930. The airline set a milestone by founding the first scheduled airline route in Asia (Manila to Baguio). Despite challenges including World War II and modern airline industry shifts, Philippine Airlines has continued to operate.
Other notable airlines include Aeroflot, the flag carrier of Russia, founded in 1923, and Avianca, the national airline of Colombia, founded in 1919. Both airlines are members of global airline alliances - Aeroflot is part of the SkyTeam alliance, while Avianca belongs to the Star Alliance. Aeroflot is one of the largest airlines in the world, operating flights to over 150 destinations globally, and Avianca operates flights to over 100 destinations worldwide.
These airlines represent milestones in the development of commercial aviation globally, showcasing longevity, adaptability, and pioneering achievements in air transport. Today, they continue to serve as benchmarks for innovation and customer satisfaction in the industry.
References: [1] History of Czech Airlines: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czech_Airlines#History [2] History of Philippine Airlines: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Airlines#History [3] History of KLM: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KLM#History [4] History of Delta Air Lines: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_Air_Lines#History
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, with its history dating back to 1919, introduced scheduled transatlantic flights between Amsterdam and New York City in 1946, setting an example for other airlines in the travel industry.
Czech Airlines, established in 1923, has maintained operations despite changes in the country's regime and continues to carry on the legacy of state airline services in Central Europe, offering a diverse lifestyle for travelers by connecting various destinations.
