Ozark Air Lines' origins date back to September 1943 when it was founded in Springfield, MO and it began operations in January 1945. Because a license by the CAB was not forthcoming, operations had to be stopped. Another airline, Parks Air Lines, got an operating license so in 1950 Ozark took over Parks Air Lines. On March 1, 1968, TWA and Ozark announce plans to merge. The U.S. Department of Transportation gave its approval on September 12, 1986. Ozark ceased to exist as an independant company on October 27, 1986.