ASL Airlines Ireland
Irish cargo airline operating scheduled freight and wet-lease services across an international network.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
ASL Airlines Ireland is an Irish cargo airline and a subsidiary of ASL Aviation Holdings. The carrier operates scheduled freight services and selected wet-lease operations for logistics companies and scheduled airlines. Its network covers more than 50 regular destinations across Europe, North America and Asia, with operations conducted under its own identity and on behalf of major parcel and express-delivery customers, including DHL Express, Amazon and FedEx Feeder. The business originated in 1972 as Air Bridge Carriers, which began operations at East Midlands Airport in the United Kingdom. The company adopted the Hunting Cargo Airlines name in 1992 after becoming part of the Hunting Group. During the 1990s, the airline progressively transferred its operational base and corporate activity to Ireland, with the transfer of all airline operations completed in 1997. In 1998, Hunting sold its aviation interests to a consortium involving CMB Compagnie Maritime Belge and Safair, then part of the Imperial Group. The airline was subsequently renamed Air Contractors. Ownership changed again in 2007 when Imperial transferred its 49 percent holding to 3P Air Freighters, associated with Petercam S.A. The company expanded its European platform in 2008 through the acquisition of France-based Europe Airpost. The transaction led the wider group to adopt the ASL Aviation Group identity, reflecting its three principal areas of activity: airlines, aviation support and aircraft leasing. Air Contractors also began passenger flying in 2010, initially using a Boeing 737-300 in cooperation with its group partner Europe Airpost, although cargo operations remained central to its business model. In June 2015, the group announced a coordinated rebranding of several airlines. Air Contractors became ASL Airlines Ireland, while Europe Airpost became ASL Airlines France and other former Farnair businesses adopted ASL Airlines branding in Hungary and Switzerland. The new identity placed the Irish carrier within a broader international airline family while retaining its Irish operating base and cargo specialization. A further expansion took place in 2016, when the group agreed to acquire TNT Airways and Pan Air, subject to completion of FedEx's acquisition of TNT. The transaction closed in May 2016. TNT Airways became ASL Airlines Belgium and Pan Air became ASL Airlines Spain. In early 2017, the parent group changed its name from ASL Aviation Group to ASL Aviation Holdings. Some sister airlines later ceased operations, including ASL Airlines Switzerland in February 2018 and ASL Airlines Spain in August 2018. ASL Airlines Ireland maintains crew bases in ten European countries and operates a maintenance hangar at Shannon Airport. Its business is closely connected to the express-parcel and e-commerce logistics sectors, where airlines provide overnight and time-sensitive air transport capacity. The carrier also undertakes wet-lease flying, supplying aircraft and crew for other airlines' scheduled operations. Fleet modernization has focused on Boeing 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters. ASL Aviation Holdings announced a program for up to 40 such aircraft, including firm orders and options, and eight of those aircraft had been delivered to ASL Airlines Ireland by January 2025 according to the cited reference material.
History
ASL Airlines Ireland traces its origins to Air Bridge Carriers, an air-cargo operator established in 1972 at East Midlands Airport. The company adopted the Hunting Cargo Airlines name in September 1992. During the 1990s, its operations moved progressively to Ireland, and the transfer of all airline operations was completed in 1997. In June 1998, the Hunting Group sold its aviation business to a consortium comprising CMB Compagnie Maritime Belge and Safair, then associated with the Imperial Group. The airline was renamed Air Contractors. Imperial later transferred its 49 percent interest to 3P Air Freighters, connected with Petercam S.A., in 2007. Air Contractors expanded its group platform by acquiring Europe Airpost on 14 March 2008. Following the acquisition, the wider organization adopted the ASL Aviation Group name, representing airline operations, aviation support and aircraft leasing. Although the company had historically concentrated on freight, it entered passenger flying in 2010 with a Boeing 737-300 operated in cooperation with Europe Airpost. On 4 June 2015, Air Contractors was rebranded ASL Airlines Ireland. The rebranding formed part of a wider group identity program that also renamed Europe Airpost as ASL Airlines France and applied ASL Airlines names to related businesses in Hungary and Switzerland. In February 2016, the group announced an agreement to acquire TNT Airways and Pan Air, conditional on FedEx's purchase of TNT. The transaction completed in May 2016; TNT Airways became ASL Airlines Belgium and Pan Air became ASL Airlines Spain. The parent organization changed its name from ASL Aviation Group to ASL Aviation Holdings in early 2017. The group subsequently rationalized parts of its airline network. ASL Airlines Switzerland stopped operating on 1 February 2018, and ASL Airlines Spain ceased operations in August 2018. ASL Airlines Ireland continued as a cargo-focused operator, maintaining crew bases in ten European countries and a maintenance hangar at Shannon in Ireland. The airline's network includes more than 50 regular destinations across Europe, North America and Asia. It operates services for major parcel and logistics customers, including DHL Express, Amazon and FedEx Feeder, while also providing wet-lease capacity to scheduled airlines. Fleet development has centered on Boeing 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters. In 2021, ASL Aviation Holdings announced a program for up to 20 such aircraft, consisting of firm orders and options. A further 20 aircraft were announced in 2022, bringing the stated program total, including options, to 40. By January 2025, eight of these aircraft had been delivered to ASL Airlines Ireland.
- 2022
Freighter program expanded
[1]A further 20 Boeing 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters are announced, taking the program to 40 aircraft including options.
- 2021
Boeing 737-800 freighter order announced
[1]ASL Aviation Holdings announces an order for up to 20 Boeing 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters.
- 2017
Parent group adopts ASL Aviation Holdings name
[1]The former ASL Aviation Group changes its name to ASL Aviation Holdings.
- 2016
TNT Airways and Pan Air transaction completed
[1]The ASL group completes the acquisition of TNT Airways and Pan Air after the required condition linked to FedEx's TNT transaction is satisfied.
- 2015
Air Contractors becomes ASL Airlines Ireland
[1]The airline adopts its current brand as part of a coordinated ASL Airlines rebranding program.
- 2010
Passenger flying begins
[1]The airline enters passenger operations with a Boeing 737-300 in cooperation with Europe Airpost.
- 2008
Europe Airpost acquired
[1]Air Contractors acquires Europe Airpost, prompting the wider group to adopt the ASL Aviation Group identity.
- 1998
Air Contractors identity introduced
[1]Following the sale of the Hunting aviation arm, the airline is rebranded Air Contractors.
- 1997
Operations transferred to Ireland
[1]The transfer of the airline's operations to Ireland is completed.
- 1992
Hunting Cargo Airlines name adopted
[1]The airline adopts the Hunting Cargo Airlines identity in September.
Products and positioning
Cargo-focused airline providing scheduled freight, express-parcel transportation and wet-lease capacity for logistics integrators and airline partners.
Air freight · 1972
Scheduled cargo services
ASL Airlines Ireland operates scheduled freight services across a network of more than 50 regular destinations. The operation is designed for time-sensitive cargo and supports the distribution requirements of express-parcel, e-commerce and logistics customers across Europe and intercontinental markets.
Contract cargo aviation
Express-parcel airline operations
The airline provides flying capacity for major parcel integrators and logistics companies, including DHL Express, Amazon and FedEx Feeder. These services connect regional sorting hubs and support overnight or scheduled express-delivery networks.
Aircraft, crew and operational services
Wet-lease services
The carrier supplies wet-lease capacity for scheduled airlines. Such arrangements typically involve the provision of aircraft and crew for another airline's marketed or contracted operation, complementing ASL Airlines Ireland's own cargo network.
Freighter fleet · 2021
Boeing 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter operations
The airline participates in ASL Aviation Holdings' Boeing 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter fleet program. The aircraft type supports the carrier's short- and medium-haul cargo operations, with eight aircraft from the group program reported as delivered to ASL Airlines Ireland by January 2025.
Brand decisions
2022
Expansion of Boeing 737-800 freighter ordersGeneration changeBackground
Demand for express and e-commerce air freight required additional narrow-body freighter capacity across the ASL network.
Action taken
ASL Aviation Holdings announced a further 20 Boeing 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters, bringing the announced total including options to 40 aircraft.
Aftermath
The aircraft were allocated across ASL Airlines businesses and the K-Mile Asia joint venture; eight were reported as operating for ASL Airlines Ireland by January 2025.
2021
Initial Boeing 737-800 freighter programProduct launchBackground
ASL Aviation Holdings began a fleet renewal and capacity expansion program aimed at increasing the availability of modern narrow-body freighters.
Action taken
The group announced an order for up to 20 Boeing 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters, consisting of ten firm orders and ten options.
Aftermath
The program provided new freighter capacity for ASL airline subsidiaries and joint-venture operations.
2016
Acquisition of TNT Airways and Pan AirM&ABackground
ASL Aviation Group agreed to acquire the two airlines subject to completion of FedEx's purchase of TNT.
Action taken
The transaction closed in May 2016. TNT Airways became ASL Airlines Belgium and Pan Air became ASL Airlines Spain.
Aftermath
The deal materially broadened the group's European airline network and strengthened its position in contract and express cargo operations.
2015
Coordinated ASL Airlines rebrandingStrategyBackground
The group had several airline businesses operating under different historical names, including Air Contractors and Europe Airpost.
Action taken
Air Contractors was renamed ASL Airlines Ireland as part of a coordinated rebranding involving related airlines in France, Hungary and Switzerland.
Aftermath
The rebranding created a common airline identity across the group's operating companies while preserving country-specific names.
2008
Acquisition of Europe AirpostM&ABackground
Air Contractors sought to broaden its European airline platform through the acquisition of France-based Europe Airpost.
Action taken
The acquisition was completed on 14 March 2008, and the wider group subsequently adopted the ASL Aviation Group identity.
Aftermath
The transaction expanded the group's airline portfolio and supported the later coordinated ASL Airlines branding structure.
Recent events
- 2022
ASL expands Boeing 737-800 freighter program[1]
Product generation
The parent group added a further 20 Boeing 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters, bringing the announced program, including options, to 40 aircraft. Eight were reported as delivered to ASL Airlines Ireland by January 2025.
- 2021
ASL Aviation Holdings orders Boeing 737-800 converted freighters[1]
Product launch
ASL Aviation Holdings announced an order for up to 20 Boeing 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter aircraft, comprising firm orders and options, at the Paris Air Show.
- 2016
ASL Aviation Group announces acquisition of TNT Airways and Pan Air[1]
M&A
The group agreed to acquire TNT Airways and Pan Air, conditional on FedEx completing its acquisition of TNT. The transaction closed in May 2016 and expanded the ASL airline network.
- 2015
Air Contractors rebranded as ASL Airlines Ireland[1]
Other · Leadership change
ASL Aviation Group announced a coordinated rebranding under which Air Contractors adopted the ASL Airlines Ireland name.
Sources1 sources
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