Zantop Air Transport

US cargo airline (1956–1966) that became Universal Airlines

Not to be confused with Zantop International Airlines that operated from 1972 to 2005 or Zantop Airways, a part 298 carrier that operated 1969 to 1980

Zantop Air TransportFounded| 6 July 1956 (1956-07-06)
incorporated in Michigan

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Ceased operations| 29 December 1966 (1966-12-29)
renamed to Universal Airlines
Focus cities| Detroit, Michigan
United States
Key people| Lloyd Zantop
Howard Zantop
Duane Zantop
C-46 March 1962

Zantop Air Transport was a United States airline incorporated in 7 July 1956 from the earlier Zantop Flying Service.[1] It was a Part 45 carrier until 1962 when the Civil Aeronautics Board approved transfer of the operating certificate of Coastal Air Lines, making Zantop a supplemental air carrier.[2] As a Part 45 carrier, Zantop was not a common carrier, it flew contract work for the Big Three automakers and for the Air Force Logair air freight service. As a supplemental, Zantop was able to hold itself out to the public as a general charter carrier. The original founders of Zantop Flying Services, the Zantop brothers, all sold their stock and resigned from the company in 1966. A name change was filed with the State of Michigan effective 29 December 1966 in the name of Universal Airlines, Inc.[3]

The airline was based at Wayne County Airport, Inkster, Michigan.[2]

## Zantop Flying Service

[edit]

Zantop Flying Service was a fixed base operator (FBO) formed by brothers Duane, Lloyd and Howard Zantop as a partnership in 1946.[2] The base of operations for the new company was Jackson, Michigan. At first, the fledgling company used light aircraft, and performed cargo duties for General Motors. In 1952 the company obtained a commercial operators permit and began to service Chrysler and Ford. A year later in 1953 they moved the operations to Wayne Major Airport, now Detroit Metro Airport.

The company continued under that name until becoming Zantop Air Transport in 1956.

## Zantop International Airlines

[edit]

Main article: Universal Airlines (United States)

Main article: Zantop International Airlines

Universal collapsed on 4 May 1972. Zantop International Airlines was incorporated in 30 May 1972 by the three Zantop brothers with minority participation by two other people. By June it was in operation, once again flying auto parts.

## Fleet

[edit]

The Zantop Air Transport fleet consists of the following aircraft as of 1966:[4]

Zantop Air Transport Fleet Aircraft  | Total

|

Armstrong Whitworth Argosy | 9
Curtiss C-46 Commando | 49
Douglas DC-3 | 4
Douglas C-47 Skytrain | 4
Douglas DC-4 | 7
Douglas DC-6 | 7
Douglas DC-7 | 21

## Incidents and accidents

[edit]

* 28 July 1966 - Curtiss C-46A-45-CU N9905F
* 16 June 1966 - Curtiss C-46A-60-CK N10415 2 Fatlities
* 14 October 1965 - Armstrong Whitworth AW-650 Arg N601Z
* 13 September 1965 - Curtiss C-46D-5-CU N5132B
* 30 December 1964 - Curtiss C-46A-45-CU N608Z 4 Fatalities
* 20 November 1964 - Curtiss C-46F-1-CU N3971B
* 30 June 1964 - Douglas C-54A-5-DC N188S
* 7 December 1963 - Curtiss C-46A-20-CU N609Z 3 Fatalities
* 16 Feb 1963 - Curtiss C-46F-1-CU N616Z
* 14 November 1961 Douglas DC-4 N30061[5]

## See also

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* List of defunct airlines of the United States

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Search results for Universal Airlines, entity ID 800616155, Articles of Incorporation filing as Zantop Air Transport, 00000364.tif dated 6 July 1956". cofs.lara.state.mi.us. Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
2. ^ a b c "Zantop Air Transport, Inc., and Coastal Air Lines, Certificate Transfer". Civil Aeronautics Board Reports. 36. Washington, DC: U.S. General Printing Office: 139–168. April–September 1962. hdl:2027/uc1.b2938527.
3. ^ "Search results for Universal Airlines, entity ID 800616155, Certificate of Amendment showing name change to Universal Airlines, 00000272.tif dated 29 December 1966". cofs.lara.state.mi.us. Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
4. ^ "Zantop Air transport". rzjets. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
5. ^ "Zantop Air Transport- Accident & incidents". Retrieved 15 Mar 2011.

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