TradeWinds International Airlines Pilot Hat Badge 2nd Issue

Greensboro, NC 1969-2008

The airline was established in 1969, as Wrangler Aviation and started operations in 1973. It became a Part 121 carrier in 1978 and became an all-cargo airline in 1981. The current name was adopted in 1991. On June 6, 2008, the airline reduced its staff by 70% and parked all 5 B747 and 3 A300. In December, 2008 Tradewinds Airlines was purchased by Sky Lease One of Florida. On January 2009 Sky Lease One (DBA Tradewinds Airlines) only customer indicated that effective May 14, 2009 will ceased all operations. Effective July 1, 2009 Tradewinds Airlines is operating from Miami to Lima, Peru; Barranquilla and Medellin, Colombia. Tradewinds Airlines is now Sky Lease Cargo and operates a fleet of MD-11 to South America from Miami International Airport. On July 25, 2008, Tradewinds Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the third time. The company cited rising fuel costs and low demand, but plans to continue to operate flights during reorganization. The ICAO call sign used for internatiional fliight is "TradeWinds Express".