Sky Lease Cargo
Airline of the United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sky Lease Cargo Inc. (legally Sky Lease I Inc) is an American cargo airline based in Miami, Florida, that provides transpacific and Latin American cargo services.
History
The airline was established in 1969, as Wrangler Aviation and started operations in 1973, using Lockheed Constellation aircraft under FAA Part 91. It became a Part 121 carrier in 1978 and became an all-cargo airline in 1981.
Between 1991 and 1992, issues of citizenship, ownership, and compliance with federal airline laws resulted in the conclusion and finding that through the unregulated use of "Delaware Company Law" and the practice of subsidiaries being parts of other subsidiaries," Wrangler Aviation did not meet the fitness requirements of a certificated airline of the United States.[2] The conclusions resulted in restructuring changes to the company to continue operating.
In 1991, the airline was renamed to Tradewinds Airlines. On February 28, 1994, Tradewinds was acquired by Florida West Airlines, although it was sold off a year later after filing for bankruptcy.[3] In December 2007, Donald Watkins, a lawyer from Alabama, bought part of the company. On June 6, 2008, the airline reduced its staff by 70% and parked all their fleet.
During 2006, explorative attempts were made by Valiant Airways to contract Tradewinds Airlines for "start-up" operations, but these attempts failed to result in services coming to fruition.[4]
Further press releases on June 3, 2008, indicate that Tradewinds returned five Boeing 747-200F aircraft to the lessor and furloughed employees who operated the lines. 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 operating flights during the reorganization.[5] In December 2008, Tradewinds Airlines was purchased by Sky Lease One, an affiliate of Centurion Air Cargo, based out of Florida.[6]
Tradewinds Airlines was renamed Sky Lease Cargo on September 4, 2011, and also changed its IATA and ICAO codes.
On February 7, 2025, Sky Lease Cargo announced it would close down its facilities at Miami International Airport and had laid off 129 employees.[7][8]
Destinations
As of March 2020, Sky Lease Cargo operates the following services:[9][needs update]
Fleet
Current
As of August 2025[update], Sky Lease Cargo operates the following aircraft:[12]
| Aircraft | In service | Orders | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 747-400ERF | 2 | — | |
| Total | 2 | — |
Former
The airline formerly operated the following aircraft:
| Aircraft | Total | Introduced | Retired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A300B4F | 10 | 1999 | 2012 | |
| Boeing 747-200F | 6 | 2004 | 2008 | |
| Canadair CL-44 | 8 | 1973 | 1999 | |
| Lockheed L-1011 TriStar | 7 | 1991 | 2004 | |
| McDonnell Douglas MD-11F | 9 | 2009 | 2019 | |
Photo gallery
Canadair CL-44
Airbus A300B4F
Boeing 747-230B(SF)
McDonnell Douglas MD-11F
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_Skylease_Cargo_N955AR,_HHN_Hahn,_Germany_PP1304333914.jpg)
Accidents and incidents
- On June 7, 2006, a Boeing 747-200F by the (registered N922FT) had an engine failure on takeoff at José María Córdova International Airport. The take-off was aborted, but the plane overran the runway. None of the 6 on board were injured. However, the aircraft was written off.[13][14]
- On November 7, 2018, Sky Lease Cargo Flight 4854 overran Runway 14 at Halifax Stanfield International Airport, Canada. The aircraft was written off.[15]
