Future uncertain about PTC's hometown airline HQ status

Tue, 04/10/2007 - 4:23pm
By: John Thompson

Will there soon be a big “vacancy” sign in Kedron?

Shock-waves rippled through the business community late last week as Peachtree City-based World Air Holdings announced that it was being acquired by Global Aero Logistics for $315 million in cash.

The Indianapolis-based company is the parent company of ATA Airlines and announced in its press release that World Air’s two subsidiaries, World Airways and North American Airlines, would operate as separate airlines underneath the Global Aero Logistics umbrella.

But with the parent company now located in indianapolis, what does the future hold for the 300 employees who currently work in the Peachtree City facility?

World Air’s corporate communications director Steve Forsyth said it’s still too early to tell.

“We don’t expect this deal to be confirmed until the third quarter, so we don’t expect to have more details until then,” he said.

The building that World Airways occupies in Peachtree City was built by former Delta Air Lines president Hollis Harris, but was sold to a large building leasing company and World Airways is currently leasing the property.

“Global did say that each airline would operate independently, so we’ll just have to see how the deal is handled,” added Forsyth.

World Airways was established in 1948. According to the company’s website, World Airways has been a global provider of long-range passenger and cargo air transportation services to the U.S. Air Force, major international airlines and freight forwarders, international leisure tour operators and cruise ship companies.

The company has been based in Peachtree City since 2001. The company has 1,400 employees and annual revenue of approximately $500 million.

Current customers include the U.S. Air Force Air Mobility Command, EVA Airways, Menlo Worldwide Forwarding, Sonair, Lufthansa Cargo Charter and China Airlines. World also provided charter passenger service in 2004 for the National Football League’s Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars and the U.S. Paralympics team.

Global Aero Logistics Inc. is the parent company of ATA Airlines, Inc. and has been in business for 34 years.

ATA now serves customers in more than 60 markets through a code-sharing agreement with Southwest Airlines. According to the company’s website, the company is also a leading passenger charter airline serving the U.S. military and many other government and commercial customers. ATA operates a fleet of 29 aircraft and has approximately 2,500 employees.

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