View source for National Airlines (N8)

{{short description|American freight and charter airline}}
{{About|Orlando-based National Air Cargo a.k.a. National Airlines (est. 1985)|other uses of the name|National Airlines (disambiguation){{!}}National Airlines|'national airlines'|Flag carrier}}
{{Infobox airline
| airline = National Airlines
| image = National Airlines logo.svg
| image_size =
| fleet_size = 10
| IATA = N8
| ICAO = NCR
| callsign = NATIONAL CARGO
| parent =
| founded = {{start date and age|1985||}}
| commenced = {{start date and age|1986|12|}}
| ceased =
| aoc = U2RA944L<ref name="FAA">{{Cite web|url=https://av-info.faa.gov/detail.asp?DSGN_CODE=U2RA&OPER_FAR=121&OPER_NAME=NATIONAL+AIR+CARGO+GROUP+INC|title=Federal Aviation Administration - Airline Certificate Information - Detail View|website=av-info.faa.gov|access-date=2019-06-27}}</ref>
| num_employees =
| headquarters = [[Orlando, Florida]], U.S.
| key_people =
| hubs = [[Orlando Sanford International Airport]]
| frequent_flyer =
| alliance =
| website = {{URL|www.nationalairlines.com|nationalairlines.com}}
}}
'''National Air Cargo Group, Inc.''', also operating as '''National Airlines''', is a U.S. [[airline]] based in [[Orlando, Florida]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-national-air-cargo-hq-orlando-20130828,0,7627575.story|title=National Air Cargo chooses Orlando for new headquarters|work=Orlando Sentinel}}</ref> It operates on-demand [[cargo]] and [[passenger]] [[charter airline|charter]] services. It added scheduled passenger service on December 16, 2015, from its hub at [[Orlando Sanford International Airport]], Orlando.<ref name="FI">{{cite news|title=Directory: World Airlines|work=[[Flight International]]|page= 53|date= 2007-04-10}}</ref>
[[File:N537CA - National Airlines - Boeing 747-446F - 33749 - VGHS.jpg | thumb | 220x124px | right | alt= National Airlines Boeing 747-446F |
A National Airlines Boeing 747-446F]]
==History==
The airline was established in 1985 and started operations in December 1986. It began with [[Mitsubishi MU-2]] aircraft, which it developed for cargo use. In April 2005, Murray Air and its sister company, Murray Aviation, merged operations under '''Murray Air'''{{'}}s newly acquired Part 121 certificate.<ref>[http://www.murrayair.com/press_release.html#merger Murray Air] 1 April 2005</ref> In December 2008, after the airline was acquired by '''National Air Cargo''', Murray Air changed its name to National Airlines, and operates under the National Air Cargo Group, Inc. umbrella.
National Airlines previously operated scheduled charter passenger flights from [[Oakland County International Airport]] to [[Kokomo Municipal Airport]] in [[Kokomo, Indiana]]; [[Chicago Rockford International Airport]] in [[Rockford, Illinois]]; [[Spirit of St. Louis Airport]] in [[St. Louis, Missouri]]; and [[Toronto Pearson International Airport]] in [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]], Canada (with some flights making intermediate stops at [[Willow Run Airport]] in [[Ypsilanti, Michigan]]). Flights were focused on [[Chrysler Corporation]] employees, but the airline also sold seats on those flights to the general public. These flights were operated by [[Saab 340]] and [[Handley Page Jetstream|BAe Jetstream 31]] propjet aircraft in 30-seat and 19-seat configurations, respectively. This service is no longer operational.
On the cargo side, National Airlines operated two [[Douglas DC-8-63]]CFs (N921R/N865F) and one [[Douglas DC-8-71]]F (N872CA) on scheduled and charter operations worldwide, and later replaced one of the DC-8-63CF's with a [[DC-8-73]]F (N155CA).<ref name="FI"/> In April 2009, the carrier began cargo flights from Ypsilanti, Michigan, to [[Bagram Air Force Base]] in [[Afghanistan]]; the flights were extended to [[Kandahar International Airport]] in August of that year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/transportation/air-transportation-airlines-air-freight/12612460-1.html|title=National Air Cargo Extends Flights from Bagram Air Base to Kandahar Air Base in Afghanistan|publisher=AllBusiness|date=6 August 2010|access-date=19 September 2010}}</ref> This service was discontinued in 2010, with the last working flight for the DC-8 with National taking place in May 2012. During the summer of 2010, the airline purchased three [[Boeing 747-400#747-400 Boeing Converted Freighter|Boeing 747-400BCF]]s. These aircraft were operated for the airline by [[Air Atlanta Icelandic]] initially, before being registered in the United States in 2011.
In May 2011, National leased a [[Boeing 757-200]] in an all-passenger configuration and began operating the aircraft in an on-demand charter basis from Dubai. The airline added a second Boeing 757 during the spring of 2013 that was also used for charters in Dubai.
Originally based at [[Willow Run Airport]] in [[Ypsilanti, Michigan]], the company moved in 2012 to [[Orlando, Florida]].
In September, 2015, National announced scheduled passenger service from its hub at [[Orlando Sanford International Airport]] using their two active 757s. They announced destinations that include [[St. John's International Airport]] in [[St. John's, Newfoundland]] and [[Labrador, Canada]]; [[Windsor International Airport]] in Windsor, [[Ontario, Canada]]; [[Vancouver International Airport]] in [[Vancouver]], [[British Columbia, Canada]]; and [[Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport]] in [[San Juan, Puerto Rico]].<ref>{{cite web|title= AviationNews.net|url=http://aviationnews.net/index.html?do=headline&news_ID=248387|website= aviationnews.net|access-date= 2015-10-06|url-status= dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007225858/http://aviationnews.net/index.html?do=headline&news_ID=248387|archive-date= 2015-10-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= National Airlines to offer Windsor-Orlando flights as of Dec. 17|url= http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/national-airlines-to-offer-windsor-orlando-flights-as-of-dec-17-1.3252011|access-date= 2015-10-06|publisher= CBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= Windsor Airport to launch twice weekly flights to Florida|url= http://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/windsor-airport-to-launch-twice-weekly-flights-to-florida|access-date= 2015-10-06|newspaper= Windsor Star|last= Pearson|first= Craig|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151005032214/http://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/windsor-airport-to-launch-twice-weekly-flights-to-florida|archive-date= 2015-10-05|url-status= dead}}</ref>
In March 2016, National was slated to start 757 service from [[Long Island MacArthur Airport]] in [[Ronkonkoma, NY]] to [[Puerto Rico]]. However the service was delayed, then cancelled and never operated<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalairlines.com/news/earlier-start-date-long-island-puerto-rico|title=National Airlines - National Airlines Sets Earlier Start Date for Long Island-Puerto Rico Service|website=www.nationalairlines.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427004433/https://www.nationalairlines.com/news/earlier-start-date-long-island-puerto-rico|archive-date=2016-04-27}}</ref> due to "lack of aircraft."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalairlines.com/news/summer-flight-schedule-updates|title=National Airlines - National Airlines Updates Summer Flight Schedule|website=www.nationalairlines.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160716010054/https://www.nationalairlines.com/news/summer-flight-schedule-updates|archive-date=2016-07-16}}</ref>
==Corporate affairs==
[[File:Douglas DC-8-73(CF), National Airlines JP7091750.jpg|thumb|A [[Douglas DC-8|Douglas DC-8-73CF]] formerly operated by National Airlines]]
National Air Cargo has its headquarters in [[Orchard Park, New York]].<ref name=Locations>"[http://www.nationalaircargo.com/contactus.aspx Contact Us]." National Air Cargo. Retrieved on April 29, 2013. "Locations National Air Cargo 350 Windward Drive Orchard Park, NY 14127" and "National Airlines 5955 T G Lee Blvd. Ste 200 Orlando, FL 32822"</ref><ref name=Kellytakeoff>Kelly, Ryan. "[http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20130129/NEWS/130129834/cargo-flier-national-airlines-takes-off-from-ypsi-for-florida Cargo flier National Airlines takes off from Ypsi for Florida]." ''[[Crain's Detroit Business]]''. Originally published January 29, 2013. Modified January 30, 2013. Retrieved on April 29, 2013. "The company, with its 79 Willow Run employees — crew schedulers and purchasing and administrative staff, among others"</ref> The National Airlines division has its offices in [[Orlando, Florida]].<ref name=Locations/>
At one time the airline had its headquarters at [[Willow Run Airport]] near [[Ypsilanti, Michigan]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20091217134639/http://www.murrayair.com/ Home page]. Murray Air. December 17, 2009. Retrieved on April 29, 2013. "Murray Air, Inc. 835 Willow Run Airport Ypsilanti, MI 48198"</ref><ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20110706065414/http://www.nationalairlines.aero/ Home]." National Airlines. July 6, 2011. Retrieved on April 29, 2013. "835 Willow Run Airport Ypsilanti, MI 48198"</ref> At the airport, the headquarters were in hangar space. When it was located at Ypsilanti, National Airlines had 79 employees, including administrative staff, purchasing staff, and crew schedulers at the headquarters.<ref name=Kellytakeoff/>
On the week of January 29, 2013, the airline National Airlines completed its move from the Ypsilanti area to Orlando. The airline said that it planned to offer 105 jobs at Orlando, with 26 more than were available in Michigan. 44 of the 79 existing employees were having relocation plans. The airline wanted to move its staff into [[Class A office space]] as opposed to the previous hangar space. According to Garrett Matyas, the company's human resources director, the company originally considered [[Ann Arbor, Michigan]], and was in talks with the Michigan Economic Development Corp.<ref name=Kellytakeoff/> Instead, Matyas said that the airline moved to Florida due to an environment friendly towards business interests.<ref name=Kellytakeoff/>
The state offered tax incentives for the Orlando location.<ref name="Kellytakeoff" /> According to Declan Reiley, the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission vice president of business development, the airline also moved to Florida because two of the owners of the company were Florida residents.<ref name="Kellytakeoff" /> The freighter and passenger divisions are involved with contract military airlift operations. The [[New Zealand Defence Force]] (NZDF) indefinitely postponed using National Airlines for its airlift requirements after Flight 102 crashed.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.3news.co.nz/Plane-crash-stalls-Afghan-withdrawal/tabid/423/articleID/296248/Default.aspx|work=3 News NZ |title= Plane crash stalls Afghan withdrawal |date=May 2, 2013}}</ref>
==Fleet==
{{As of|2023|01}}, National Airlines operates the following aircraft:<ref name="FI"/><ref name="pi">{{cite news|url=http://blog.seattlepi.com/worldairlinenews/archives/221855.asp?source=rss|title=National Airlines puts its first Boeing 747-400 freighter into service|newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|date=18 September 2010|access-date=19 September 2010}}</ref>
[[File:Boeing 757-236, National Airlines AN2193515.jpg|thumb|A National Airlines [[Boeing 757-200]] approaching [[Dubai International Airport]] in 2012]]
{| class="toccolours" border="1" cellpadding="6" style="border-collapse:collapse;text-align:center;margin:auto;"
|+ '''National Airlines fleet'''
|- bgcolor=blue
!rowspan="2"|{{font color|white|Aircraft}}
!rowspan="2"|{{font color|white|In service}}
!rowspan="2"|{{font color|white|Orders}}
!colspan="3"|{{font color|white|Passengers}}
!rowspan="2"|{{font color|white|Notes}}
|- bgcolor=blue
!<abbr title=Premium>{{font color|white|P}}</abbr>
!<abbr title=Economy>{{font color|white|Y}}</abbr>
!{{font color|white|Total}}
|-
|[[Airbus A330-200]]
|1
|&mdash;
|46
|250
|296
|First Airbus for the airline.<br />Leased from [[Air Lease Corporation]].{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
|-
|[[Airbus A330-300]]
|1
|&mdash;
|colspan="3"|<abbr title="To Be Announced">TBA</abbr>
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/140926-uss-national-airlines-takes-delivery-of-first-a330-300|title=US’s National Airlines takes delivery of first A330-300|access-date=3 June 2024}}</ref>
|-
|[[Boeing 757-200]]
|1
|&mdash;
|16
|160
|176
|Former [[American Airlines]] aircraft.
|- bgcolor=blue
!colspan="10"|{{font color|white|Cargo fleet}}
|-
|[[Boeing 747-400BCF]]
|6
|&mdash;
|colspan="3"|<abbr title="Cargo configuration">Cargo</abbr>
|One crashed as [[National Airlines Flight 102|Flight 102]].
|-
|[[Boeing 747-400ERF]]
|1
|&mdash;
|colspan="3"|<abbr title="Cargo configuration">Cargo</abbr>
|
|-
|[[Boeing 747-400F]]
|2
|&mdash;
|colspan="3"|<abbr title="Cargo configuration">Cargo</abbr>
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-airlines-adds-the-8th-b747-400-freighter-to-its-fleet-301641521.html|title=National Airlines Adds the 8th B747-400 Freighter to its Fleet|access-date=5 October 2022}}</ref>
|-
|[[Boeing 777F]]
|&mdash;
|4
|colspan="3"|<abbr title="Cargo configuration">Cargo</abbr>
|Deliveries to commence between late 2025 and 2026.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.gonational.com/u-s-based-national-airlines-orders-four-boeing-777-freighters/|publisher=National Airlines|title=U.S. Based National Airlines Orders Four Boeing 777 Freighters|access-date=22 July 2024}}</ref>
|-
!Total
!12<!--Check this matches infobox above-->
!4
|colspan="7"|
|}
===Former fleet===
National Airlines formerly operated the following aircraft:
* [[British Aerospace Jetstream 31]]
* [[CASA C-212 Aviocar]]
* [[Douglas DC-8|Douglas DC-8-63AF]]
* [[Douglas DC-8|Douglas DC-8-71F]]
* [[Douglas DC-8|Douglas DC-8-73CF]]
* [[Lockheed L-100 Hercules]]
* [[Mitsubishi MU-2]]
* [[Saab 340A]]
* [[Tupolev Tu-204|Tupolev Tu-204-100C]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.airliners.net/photo/National-Airlines-Cargo/Tupolev-Tu-204-100S-Tu-204C/1319579|title=Tupolev Tu-204-100S (Tu-204C) - National Airlines Cargo {{!}} Aviation Photo #1319579 {{!}} Airliners.net}}</ref>
==Accidents and incidents==
[[File:Cargo Boeing 747-428(BCF) of National Airlines cropped.jpg|thumb|The National Airlines [[Boeing 747-400BCF]] (N949CA) that [[National Airlines Flight 102|crashed]] at [[Bagram Airfield]]]]
{{Main|National Airlines Flight 102}}
On April 29, 2013, at approximately 3:30&nbsp;p.m. Afghanistan time (11:00 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]), [[National Airlines Flight 102]], a [[Boeing 747-400BCF]], registration N949CA, operating a charter cargo flight for Coalition forces, crashed soon after takeoff from [[Bagram Airfield]] in Afghanistan. All seven crew members on board died in the crash.
Although [[Taliban]] spokesmen claimed responsibility for the destruction of the aircraft, initial reports based on communications from the crew after takeoff indicated that the crash probably resulted from a [[load shift]], causing the aircraft to experience a high-aft center of gravity, becoming unstable and eventually leading to the loss of control by the pilots. On Sep 14th 2015 the NTSB released their final report concluding the probable cause of the crash was:
"National Airlines' inadequate procedures for restraining special cargo loads, which resulted in the loadmaster’s improper restraint of the cargo, which moved aft and damaged hydraulic systems Nos. 1 and 2 and horizontal stabilizer drive mechanism components, rendering the airplane uncontrollable."<ref>{{cite news|author=Hradecky|first=Simon|date=29 April 2013|title=Crash: National Air Cargo B744 at Bagram on Apr 29th 2013, lost height shortly after takeoff|work=The Aviation Herald|url=http://avherald.com/h?article=46183bb4&opt=0|access-date=30 April 2013}}</ref>
On October 29, 2016, the [[St. John's International Airport|St. John's Airport Authority]] seized one of the aircraft of National Airlines passenger operations (N176CA, a 757), alleging non-payment for services at the airport during operations there. This was quickly followed by an announcement by the airline that they are cancelling operations into [[Newfoundland and Labrador]] as of January 6, 2017, and are also cancelling the substantial majority of flights scheduled for that route between October and the end of service. A hearing was held concerning the claim.<ref>National Airlines plane grounded at St. John's airport, application to seize filed with court [http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/national-airline-plane-seized-1.3828155  ''CBC News'' Retrieved October 30, 2016]</ref> National Airlines paid the St. John's Airport authority $182,000 for the services and the airport returned the 757 to National Airlines on October 31, 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=2016-10-31|title=St. John's Airport receives $182K, releases National Airlines jet|work=CBC News|publisher=CBC|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/national-to-pay-fees-to-st-john-s-1.3828936|access-date=2020-12-29}}</ref>
On May 1, 2022, flight NCR761, a National Airlines [[Airbus A330-200]] (registration N819CA) struck a light pole in St. Kitts' [[Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport|Robert L. Bradshaw Int'l Airport]]. During taxi, the aircraft's left wing clipped one of the airport's tall light pole, causing it to nearly fall over. The damage to the airplane was minimal, and it flew again on May 4 to Indianapolis.<ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=4 May 2022|title=National Airlines Airbus A330 hits lamp post during taxi at Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
|work=aviation24.be|url=https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/national-airlines/airbus-a330-hits-lamp-post-during-taxi-at-basseterre-saint-kitts-and-nevis/|access-date=10 June 2023}}</ref>
== See also ==
* [[List of defunct airlines of the United States]]
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
==External links==
{{commons category|National Airlines (N8)}}
*[http://www.nationalaircargo.com/ National Air Cargo]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130618121503/http://nationalairlines.aero/ National Airlines]
*[https://web.archive.org/*/http://www.murrayair.com/ National Airlines] (archive)
{{Portal bar|New York (state)|Florida|Michigan|Companies|Aviation}}
{{Airlines of the United States|state=collapsed}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:National Airlines (5m)}}
[[Category:National Airlines (N8)| ]]
[[Category:Airlines established in 1985]]
[[Category:Cargo airlines of the United States]]
[[Category:Charter airlines of the United States]]
[[Category:Companies based in Washtenaw County, Michigan]]
[[Category:Ypsilanti, Michigan]]
[[Category:Airlines based in Florida]]
[[Category:Companies based in Orlando, Florida]]
[[Category:1985 establishments in Michigan]]