Sky Lease Cargo (Sky Lease Cargo)

    Sky Lease Cargo

    IATA ICAO Callsign
    GG KYE SKY CUBE
    Founded 1969
    AOC # WRNA256M
    Hubs Miami International Airport
    Fleet size 2
    Destinations 13
    Headquarters Miami, Florida, United States
    Key people Marcos Montesano (CEO) Wade Johnson (COO)
    Employees 120 (2007)
    Website www.skyleasecargo.com

    Sky Lease Cargo Inc. (legally Sky Lease I Inc) is an American cargo airline based in Miami, Florida.

    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. The conclusions resulted in restructuring changes to the company to continue operating.

    Tradewinds Airlines

    Tradewinds Airlines Airbus A300B4F

    Tradewinds Airlines Airbus A300B4F

    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. 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.

    Further press releases on June 3, 2008, indicate that Tradewinds returned five Boeing 747-200F aircraft to the lessor and furloughed employees that 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 to operate flights during reorganization. In December 2008, Tradewinds Airlines was purchased by Sky Lease One, based out of Florida.

    Sky Lease Cargo

    Tradewinds Airlines was renamed Sky Lease Cargo on September 4, 2011, and also changed its IATA and ICAO codes. The company operates two 747-400s to various points in South America from Miami International Airport.

    Destinations

    Former Sky Lease Cargo McDonnell Douglas MD-11F

    Former Sky Lease Cargo McDonnell Douglas MD-11F

    As of March 2020, Sky Lease Cargo operates the following services:

    Country City Airport Notes Refs
     Argentina Buenos Aires Ministro Pistarini International Airport
     Brazil Campinas Viracopos International Airport
    Manaus Eduardo Gomes International Airport
    Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro/Gale?o International Airport
     Chile Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport
     Colombia Bogotá El Dorado International Airport
    Medellin Jose Maria Córdova International Airport
     Ecuador Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport
     Netherlands Amsterdam Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
     Paraguay Ciudad del Este Guarani International Airport
     Peru Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport
     United States Miami Miami International Airport Hub
     Uruguay Montevideo Carrasco International Airport
     Venezuela Caracas Simón Bolivar International Airport Terminated

    Fleet

    Current fleet

    As of October 2020, Sky Lease Cargo's fleet includes:

    Sky Lease Cargo fleet
    Aircraft In service Orders Notes
    Boeing 747-400ERF 2 Previously owned a further one involved in Flight 4854
    Total 2

    Former fleet

    The airline formerly operated the following aircraft:

    • Airbus A300B4F
    • Boeing 747-200F
    • Canadair CL-44
    • Lockheed Constellation
    • Lockheed L-1011 TriStar
    • McDonnell Douglas MD-11F (one involved in China Eastern Airlines Flight 583)
    • McDonnell Douglas MD-11CF

    Incidents and accidents

    • On June 7, 2006, a Boeing 747-200F by the (registered N922FT) had an engine failure on takeoff at Jose Maria Córdova International Airport. The take-off was aborted, but the plane overran the runway. None of the 6 on board were injured. However, the plane was substantially damaged.
    • On November 7, 2018, Sky Lease Cargo Flight 4854 overran Runway 14 at Halifax Stanfield International Airport. The aircraft was written off.


    Miami Airline

    Two alphabet codeGG
    Three alphabet codeKYE
    Call lettersSKY CUBE
    Country and regionUnited States
    Fleet quantity4
    Website www.skyleasecargo.com
    Phone number+1 305-871-0130
    Headquarters address4450 NW 36th St, Miami, FL 33166, USA