Airborne Express

Airborne Express was an American express-delivery and freight-services brand associated with an integrated cargo-airline network. Its activities included package delivery, freight forwarding and air transportation, with aircraft and an air hub supporting domestic express distribution. In 2003, DHL acquired Airborne's ground-delivery business, and Airborne Express ceased to operate as an independent integrated express brand. The related air-transport operation later became associated with the separately operated airline ABX Air. Public sources differ on some details of the company's early history and corporate structure, so this entry retains only the better-established business and acquisition information.

Airborne Express was an American express-delivery and air-freight brand built around an integrated cargo-transport network. Its business combined package and freight services with aviation capacity used to support those operations, so the brand was closely associated with a related cargo-airline operation. In 2003, DHL acquired Airborne's ground-delivery business, ending Airborne Express's development as an independent integrated express brand. The air-transport operation subsequently became associated with the separately operated ABX Air. The available material is insufficient to establish a complete founding chronology, founder record or detailed sequence of legal-entity changes, so those details are omitted.

• 2003

  DHL acquires ground express business

  DHL acquired Airborne's ground express business, and Airborne Express gradually exited as an independent integrated express brand; the related air transport operations were associated with the subsequent separation arrangement with ABX Air.

U.S. domestic express delivery and freight services supported by an air transport network

• Express delivery services

  Express delivery

  One of Airborne Express's core activities was the delivery of parcels and documents in the United States and related international markets, supported by an air-transport network.

• Freight services

  Air freight

  The associated business included air-cargo transportation and freight handling. Its aircraft capacity primarily supported the express network and other freight needs rather than passenger transport.

• 2003

  Sale of ground express business and restructuring of air operationsM&A

  Background

  DHL expanded its express network in the U.S. by acquiring Airborne's ground express business.

  Action taken

  DHL acquired the ground delivery business; the air transport portion was separated from the ground express business and associated with the subsequent ABX Air operating arrangement.

  Aftermath

  Airborne Express no longer operated as an independent integrated express brand, and the air transport business continued to exist under a separate air operating model.