WORLD AIRWAYS

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About WORLD AIRWAYS

History: (from Wikipedia)
Though World Airways was founded in 1948 by Benjamin Pepper, Edward Daly is thought of as World's founder. He bought the airline in 1950 for $50,000 and proceeded to acquire DC-4s.
World got its first government contract in 1951 and has had a substantial amount of government business since then.

Later, World acquired DC-6s and Lockheed Constellations. World entered the jet era in the late 1960s with Boeing 707s and 727s. In the early 1970s World acquired Douglas DC-8s.

World became a key military contractor during the Vietnam War, flying troops and equipment between the war zone and World's base at Oakland International Airport. On March 29, 1975, World operated the last airlift flight out of Da Nang, Vietnam, an event that made world news. Two 727s were flown to Da Nang, one of which landed with Daly aboard. Thousands rushed the airplane and it took off on a taxiway under heavy fire. When the airplane landed at Saigon, they estimated there were over 330 people on board. World did not return to Da Nang until April 17, 2002, then with an MD-11 aircraft to pick up a team of people resolving Missing-In-Action cases from the Vietnam War.

Also, in the early 1970s, World operated three Boeing 747 aircraft. Later, World acquired DC-10s some of which it still operates today. World experienced heavy losses in the 1980s as a result of an attempt at scheduled service. During the first Persian Gulf War, World did a substantial amount of profitable business for the military, enabling the addition of the MD-11 to the fleet.

On 5 April 2007, World Air Holdings agreed to be acquired by Global Aero Logistics Inc. owner of ATA Airlines. Thus Global Aero Logistics becomes the holding of three independent airlines: ATA Airlines, North American Airlines and World Airways. The transaction is valued at $315 million, all-cash.

Film history
A World Airways Boeing 707 (N374WA) was chartered for use in the 1972 movie Skyjacked and was also used for one Episode of Charlie's Angels. It was Season 2, Episode 4, Title: Angel Flight Original Air Date: 5 October 1977 The Aircraft wore the titles 'Global Airways'.

Incidents and accidents
On January 23, 1982, a World Airways DC-10 landing at Boston's Logan International Airport under icy conditions and limited visibility slid off the end of the runway and plunged into Boston Harbor, separating the cockpit section from the rest of the aircraft with the loss of only two lives. The accident occurred because the plane touched down about 1,000 feet from its intended touchdown point.

Fleet
As of April 2007, the World Airways fleet includes 17 aircraft with two operating DC-10's and the remainder MD-11s.

http://www.worldair.com/info/history1.html