Airlift International
Operator Identification
29 November 1963 to June 1991
United States of America
TYPE: Non-scheduled cargo airline
IATA/ICAO CODES: Nil
HEADQUARTERS: Miami, FL
FORMER NAME: Riddle Airlines
SUBSEQUENT NAME: Nil
Operator History
Riddle was a charter cargo airline founded in 1945. With the advent of the jet age and the purchase of DC8 aircraft, Riddle Airlines changed its name to Airlift International on 29 November 1963.
In 1968, Airlift expanded and acquired bankrupt Slick Airways' assets. As the fleet grew, Airlift started operating Super Constellations, Canadair CL-44s, Lockheed Hercules and Boeing 707s & 727s. The freight schedule was augmented by charter flights to South America and the military but by 1981 Airlift International went into Chapter 11 Bankruptcy for reorganization. Following the reorganization, the fleet was standardized to DC8 and FH-227/F-27 aircraft only.
Due to financial problems during 1990 and 1991, Airlift International ceased operations in June 1991.
Commando Operations
November 1963 to October 1968*
Airlift inherited several Commandos from Riddle at the time of the name change. Several of Airlift's Commandos were later leased out to Zantop circa 1966, and eventually sold out to them.
Commandos Operated
Last edited: 16/05/2022