Union Airways Union Airways Union Airways of South Africa was the first South African commercial airline. It operated as an independent company for five years, from 1929 to 1934, before being taken over by the government as South African Airways. Union Airways were founded by Major Allister Miller, a World War I flying ace, who had recruited some 2000 South Africans for service in the Royal Air Force. The word "Union" referred to the official name of the country at that time: the Union of South Africa. The company was financed by the Atlantic Refining Company, and supported by a small government
XL Airways UK Airline 2004 and 2005 and UK Charter Airline Punctuality Awards for Summer 2002 - Runner Up. The XL Airways UK fleet included the following aircraft (as of June 2008): Retired Fleet: For the 2007-2008 football season, XL Airways were the sponsors of West Ham United F.C. West Ham only received £2.5 million out of the planned £7.5 million sponsorship deal, which they cancelled on 12 September 2008 when the XL Leisure Group went into administration. XL Airways UK XL Airways was a British low-cost charter and scheduled airline, which ceased operations when it went into administration on 12 September 2008.