ABX Air, Inc. is an American cargo airline headquartered at Wilmington Air Park, near Wilmington, Ohio. It has established itself as a notable participant in the cargo aviation market, serving both domestic and international routes.
ABX Air was founded in 1980 under the name Airborne Express, following the acquisition of Midwest Air Charter’s cargo division by Airborne Freight. Commercial operations commenced on April 17 of that year. In 2003, after Airborne Freight merged with DHL, the cargo airline operations were spun off into a separate entity named ABX Air. In August 2003, the company went public, listing its shares on the NASDAQ stock exchange. This step secured financial independence and supported further growth. In 2007, ABX Air expanded its international presence by entering a partnership with Japan’s All Nippon Airways to operate cargo flights to Asia. That same year, the company acquired Cargo Holdings International for $350 million, which included Air Transport International and Capital Cargo International Airlines, strengthening its position in the industry. ABX also operated cargo flights on behalf of Air Jamaica, connecting Miami with two Jamaican cities: Montego Bay (Donald Sangster International Airport) and Kingston (Norman Manley International Airport). One of ABX Air’s Boeing 767-200 aircraft regularly operated these flights under the call sign “JAMAICA.”
ABX Air specializes in cargo transportation, offering a wide range of services, including scheduled and charter flights, as well as overnight express deliveries. The company’s primary operational region includes the United States, Panama, Colombia, and Puerto Rico. A key focus is providing services for DHL, which remains the airline’s primary customer. Most of ABX Air’s aircraft are painted in DHL’s red-and-yellow livery, highlighting their close partnership.
ABX Air was founded in 1980 under the name Airborne Express, following the acquisition of Midwest Air Charter’s cargo division by Airborne Freight. Commercial operations commenced on April 17 of that year. In 2003, after Airborne Freight merged with DHL, the cargo airline operations were spun off into a separate entity named ABX Air. In August 2003, the company went public, listing its shares on the NASDAQ stock exchange. This step secured financial independence and supported further growth. In 2007, ABX Air expanded its international presence by entering a partnership with Japan’s All Nippon Airways to operate cargo flights to Asia. That same year, the company acquired Cargo Holdings International for $350 million, which included Air Transport International and Capital Cargo International Airlines, strengthening its position in the industry. ABX also operated cargo flights on behalf of Air Jamaica, connecting Miami with two Jamaican cities: Montego Bay (Donald Sangster International Airport) and Kingston (Norman Manley International Airport). One of ABX Air’s Boeing 767-200 aircraft regularly operated these flights under the call sign “JAMAICA.”
ABX Air specializes in cargo transportation, offering a wide range of services, including scheduled and charter flights, as well as overnight express deliveries. The company’s primary operational region includes the United States, Panama, Colombia, and Puerto Rico. A key focus is providing services for DHL, which remains the airline’s primary customer. Most of ABX Air’s aircraft are painted in DHL’s red-and-yellow livery, highlighting their close partnership.
Additional services provided by ABX Air include professional training, technical maintenance, and engineering support, offered both in-house and on an outsourced basis. These services enhance the company’s competitiveness, enabling it to maintain its own fleet while also serving external clients. As of March 2007, ABX Air employed approximately 7,600 staff, reflecting its substantial scale.
As of February 2025, ABX Air’s fleet consists solely of 36 Boeing 767-200 and Boeing 767-300 cargo aircraft, adapted for freight transport. The company’s aircraft undergo regular maintenance, and its infrastructure supports efficient logistics and operational management.
ABX Air remains a significant player in the cargo aviation market due to its specialization and strategic partnerships. Despite challenges associated with reliance on major clients like DHL, the airline demonstrates resilience, expanding its international reach and developing supplementary services. Its history, from its founding in 1980 to the present day, reflects its ability to adapt to the dynamic conditions of the logistics industry.