AIR CARG O WEEK


EUROPEAN CARGO


1920S: THE DECADE THAT REVOLUTIONISED EUROPEAN AIRFREIGHT FOREVER


THE TAIL END O


ne hundred years ago, the 1920s marked in


a aviation advances.


transformative history,


flights decade


particularly


period in


Europe, where airfreight and long- distance This


the


integration of cargo and passenger transport, pioneering


transcontinental


saw significant witnessed


flights and the


emergence of notable aviation figures who would leave lasting legacies. In the aftermath of World War I, Europe


experienced a surplus of aircraft and trained pilots, which catalysed the growth of commercial aviation. Airlines began to explore the


potential of combining passenger and


cargo services to maximise profitability. The French airline Société Générale de Transports Aériens (SGTA)


inaugurated a Paris-Brussels


route in 1920, utilising Farman F.60 Goliath aircraft capable of carrying both passengers and


Messageries


freight. Similarly, Aériennes


the Compagnie (CMA), established


in 1919 by aviation pioneers including Louis Blériot and Louis Renault, operated routes between Paris, Lille, and London transporting mail, goods and passengers. The integration of cargo and passenger on


transport a


the common same practice during


aircraft the


became 1920s.


Technological advancements led to more reliable aircraft, enabling longer flights and the crossing of bodies of water. This period also saw the establishment of regular air services connecting major European cities, facilitating the movement of high-value, low-volume goods more efficiently than traditional rail or sea transport.


des first east-to-west


Pioneering transcontinental flights The 1920s were marked by several ground- breaking flights that expanded the horizons of aviation and demonstrated the potential of air travel for connecting distant continents. The first flight from Europe to Africa happened


on March 20, 1920. Two South African pilots, Pierre van Ryneveld and Quintin Brand, completed the first flight from London to Cape Town. Despite facing numerous challenges,


including


multiple aircraft crashes and forced landings, they persevered and reached their destination, covering a distance of over 7,000 miles. This journey showcased the potential for air routes connecting Europe to the African continent. Seven years later, the first solo non-stop


transatlantic flight was undertaken by American aviator Charles Lindbergh who made history on May 21, 1927. Piloting the Spirit of St. Louis, Lindbergh flew from New York to Paris in 33.5 hours, covering a distance of approximately 3,600 miles. This monumental flight captured the world’s imagination and demonstrated the possibilities of long-distance air travel. The following year,


the first East-to-West


transatlantic flight was undertaken by German aviation pioneer Ehrenfried Günther Freiherr von Hünefeld, along with pilots Hermann Köhl and James C. Fitzmaurice. They accomplished the


transatlantic flight


in April 1928 flying from Ireland to Canada in the Junkers W 33 aircraft named Bremen, overcoming the challenges posed by prevailing winds and weather conditions. In this decade, many European nations repurposed military aircraft for civilian and commercial use. Large bombers, such as the Farman F.60 Goliath, were converted into transport planes for both passengers and cargo. The first airlines in Europe were heavily


focused on airmail services, as letters and small parcels were lightweight and profitable. Airports were still basic, often repurposed military airfields with minimal for handling cargo.


infrastructure


Early airlines and routes While numbers of civil airlines were launched in that decade, Société Générale de Transports Aériens (SGTA) (France) and Compagnie des


20


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23