David Bassett, founder of US cargo carrier Amerijet International Airlines, has passed away.
The following comes from an obituary penned by Christine Richard, former director of marketing at Amerijet and a board member and director of the Miami Air Cargo Association.
Bassett founded Amerijet in 1974 and led the company for more than 40 years, changing what began as a small, single-aircraft air taxi operation into an international cargo carrier serving the Caribbean, Central and South American markets.
He built Amerijet to serve regional markets that were often under-served.
What began as Professional Charter Services, operating a leased Cessna 401 between South Florida and the Bahamas, had become by 1976 a dedicated freight carrier, supporting the rapid growth of overnight courier networks.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Amerijet expanded its operations and began flying contracts for major courier companies including Purolator, FedEx, UPS, DHL and Airborne Express.
In 1982, Bassett acquired full ownership of the company, thereafter expanding its aircraft fleet, flight operations and logistics capabilities, and eventually establishing its primary hub at Miami International Airport in 1987.
From Miami, Amerijet built a strong cargo network connecting the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and South America – routes and markets that remain core to the airline’s network today.
Bassett was at Amerijet’s helm for more than 40 years. He is survived by his wife, Kandee, and his three daughters.
