Tri-9 Airlines

  1974* to 1977

  Singapore

TYPE: Airline

IATA/ICAO CODES: Nil

HEADQUARTERS: Seletar AB, Singapore

FORMER NAME: Nil

SUBSEQUENT NAME: Nil

Right: this add describes quite efficiently Tri-9's business model for its Commandos!
Photo credit: Asia Plane Magazine / Geoff Goodall

Tri-9 Airlines was a Singaporian operator with American backing, specialized in operating aircraft in the war zones of South East Asia. From early 1975, it operated several Lao & US-registered Douglas DC3s from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It leased several other aircraft to Asian businessmen who wanted to operate an airline, and also operated freight charters on its own, mainly for the oil industry. In addition to the DC3s, other types in the fleet included Convairs and Commandos.

Tri-9 essentially went bankrupt after the Khmer Rouge takeover of Cambodia forced them to stop their operations in that country. Their contracts and operations were taken over by Kris Air in August 1977.

December 1976* to July 1977*

Tri-9 purchased several Commandos from AMCO Air International in 1976-1977. It is not known if and where these aircraft were operated. They were sold back to AMCO after Tri-9's bankruptcy, and then carried over to Kris Air.

• Riddle C-46R Commando: N335CA, N336CA, N337CA