2000’s
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As a certified United States Department of Defense air carrier, NAA provided military personnel and their dependents air transportation to destinations not served by commercial airlines around the world. In 2002, we were the first airline to provide the capability of Boeing 767 aircraft to the United States Military, operating military transport flights out of Dallas/Ft.Worth Airport and other international destinations.
According to a news release on NorthAmericanAir.Com, “What makes NAA’s scheduled service operations untenable is the rising cost of fuel, with jet fuel costs increasing 60 percent since 2005. This was a difficult decision, especially in light of the continuing support we have received from the governments and the traveling public in these markets. NAA’s modern Boeing 757/767 fleet is in high demand and NAA will redeploy these aircraft profitably in the charter market”.
NAA announced the discontinuation of all scheduled services in favor of concentrating on charter operations beginning May of 2008
Our carrier maintained a long-standing wet lease relationship with Air Jamaica, providing Boeing 757 aircraft and crew for Kingston, Jamaica – New York service. In the summer of 2007, Air Jamaica increased its dependence on NAAs’ services as the Jamaican company struggled to cope with higher-than-expected demand. The 757 was affectionately referred to as “Kermit” for its unique livery of neon green and blue.
NAA discontinued service to Hawaii as of September 1, 2005. Prior to Delta Airlines establishing service between New York City and Accra, Ghana, on December 11, 2006, NAA’s New York – Accra and Baltimore – Banjul services were the only scheduled non-stop between the U.S. and West Africa operated by a U.S. airline for several years.
On April 5, 2007, new ATA Holdings, Inc., bought out NAA’s parent company World Air Holdings, Inc., and promptly changed the name of the holding company to Global Aero Logistics, Inc., to reflect the worldwide desires of the latest owners. The same firm, MatlinPatterson Global Advisors, recently divested themselves of Varig at the end of March 2006, although they still maintained financial interests at its former cargo subsidiary VarigLog (LC).
In 2012, we moved headquarters to Peachtree City, Georgia. Later on we operated domestic, international charter, and wet lease services. The main aircraft and maintenance base was Tampa International Airport (TPA).
On February 26, 2009, the company was renamed Global Aviation Holdings, Inc.
Charter operations made up the bulk of our business: resorts such as Club Med, and tour operators in Hawaii and the Caribbean, were on a regular basis. Since discontinuing service in May of 2008, NAA continued to operate until 2014, solely as a charter airline.
Earlier scheduled service included Aguadilla in Puerto Rico, Santiago and Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Each of these routes were cancelled after JetBlue Airways began competing on these routes. According to conversations with Dan McKinnon and Steve Harfst (former COO), there was no desire for the company to compete with the low fare cost structure of JetBlue.
North American Airlines, Inc. will be submitting an application for certification as a part 121 air carrier with the FAA.
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