Southern Air Pilot Hat Badge

Norwalk, CT & Florence, KY 1999-Current

The airline was established on 5 March 1999, out of the assets of Southern Air Transport and started operations in November 1999. On September 7, 2007, Oak Hill Capital Partners acquired majority ownership of Southern Air and merged Cargo 360 into the airline. In February and March 2010, Southern Air took delivery of two B-777 freighters. At the same time, reflecting the change in direction provided by fresh corporate leadership, Southern Air introduced new aircraft livery as well as new corporate branding. In early 2011, Southern Air entered into a multiple year contract with DHL Aviation. The same year Southern Air announced plans to gradually retire the fleet of B- 747-200 and 747-300 with the B-747BDSF models. In addition to DHL, Southern Air flies charter contracts for other airlines as well as the U.S. Department of Defence. On September 28th, 2012 Southern Air voluntary filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection with the support of a majority of their key financial stakeholders. Southern emerged from bankruptcy in early 2013. On April 7, 2016, Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings purchased Southern Air for $110 million in an all-cash deal. The transaction included Worldwide Air Logistics Group, Inc. and its two operating subsidiaries, Southern Air, Inc. and Florida West International Airways, Inc. Southern Air will continue to operate in Florence, Kentucky and Florida West will continue to operate in Miami.