75th Anniversary: ACW through the decades

1970

• The Airbus Industrie aircraft manufacturing consortium is created by companies in the U.K.,France, Spain and West Germany.
• To answer the widebody challenge from the Boeing 747, Douglas makes its first flight of the DC-10 in August, while Lockheed launches it L-1011 Tristar in November.
• In September, Luxair, Loftleidir Icelandic and Salen Shipping combine to form all-cargo carrier Cargolux, flying a CL-44 freighter between Luxembourg and Hong Kong.
• Air Transportation expands its staff and changes its named to Cargo Airlift.

1971

• Fred Smith founds Federal Express Corp. with the initial idea of capturing contracts with the U.S. Federal Reserve to transport checks between banks. When that fails, he switches to the overnight delivery model.

1972

• Airbus flies its first aircraft, the A300, in August.

1973

• Federal Express begins first hub-and-spoke overnight delivery service in April, sending 14 Falcon jets from Memphis, carrying 186 packages to 25 U.S. cities.
• Long-time forwarder Panalpina launches Air Sea Broker unit to coordinate air charters.
• Flying Tigers spend $8 million for a 747-100 and $16 million to convert it to freighter configuration.

1974

• BOAC and British European Airways merge to form British Airways in April.

1976

• Cargo AirLift changes name to AirCargo in October to mark the magazine’s 35th anniversary.

1977

• The CAB deregulates the air cargo industry at urging of carriers, affirms the right of airfreight forwarders to charter aircraft, lifts restrictions on international forwarder charters and upholds right of forwarders to joint-load on all domestic and international flights.

1978

• President Carter signs the Airline Deregulation Act, beginning a four-year phase-out of passenger route and rate restrictions, sparking growth in new carriers and a deregulation movement worldwide.
• Cargolux orders first 747-200F.
• Editor Richard Malkin steps down from AirCargo after 35 continuous years with the magazine.