75th Anniversary: ACW through the decades

2000

• Airbus announces plans for the A380 “Super Jumbo” freighter aircraft.

2001

• The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., spark an unprecedented focus on safety in the passenger and cargo arenas.

2002

• The Trade Act of 2002 gives U.S. Presidents the authority to negotiate trade deals with other nations without Congressional approval.

2003

• Etihad Airways is formed as the flag carriers of the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi.

2004

• Air France and KLM merge, creating the world’s third-largest air carrier.
• Volga-Dnepr launches AirBridgeCargo Airlines.
• Cathay Pacific becomes the launch customer of Boeing’s 747-400 freighter conversion program.

2005

• Lufthansa admits to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that it had conspired with other carriers to set cargo surcharges, setting off a years-long investigation.
• Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines both file for bankruptcy protection.
• Boeing debuts the 747-8F, with Cargolux and Nippon Cargo Airlines making the first orders.

2006

• The FBI and other European agencies raid air carrier offices worldwide, charging them with conspiring to fix cargo surcharges as far back as 2002, leading to billions of dollars in fines.

2007

• In August, the 9/11 Commission Act mandates 100 percent screening of all U.S.-bound air cargo.

2008

• Delta purchases Northwest for $2.8 billion in October.
• DHL decides to shutter all U.S. domestic express operations and closes 18 U.S. distribution hubs.

2009

• Air France takes delivery of the first 777F.
• Delta says it will exit the maindeck cargo business, grounding the freighter fleet inherited from the Northwest deal.
• The New Zealand Commerce Commission alleges that 13 carriers have participated in pice-fixing.