Related Events

1971 - Southwest Airlines, a regional budget airline founded in Texas, using only propeller aircraft. It is promptly sued by major airlines of the time who do not welcome competition. Southwest wins the ruling, which leads to solidification of momentum for the deregulation of Airlines
1973 - Federal Express (FedEx) begins operations
1978 - The Airline Deregulation Act goes into effect, removing government controls over routes, fares, and market entry by new airlines
1982 - United Parcel Service (UPS) begins offering Next day air and 2nd day air delivery service
1991 - Aol.com founded, millions get "online" on a closed network
1993 - ValuJet (US) begins operations
1993 - Match.com founded
1994 - Netscape is founded, the open internet for everyday users is "born"
1997 - European airline industry is deregulated, opening the door for budget airlines
2001 - Ryanair (Europe) begins operations
2004 - Facebook.com founded
2001 - JetBlue airways (US) begins operations
2001 - 9/11 events result in grounding of ALL air traffic. Nation comes to a virtual standstill.
2009 - President Obama makes "Green Energy" a top priority, providing energy efficient aircraft manufacturers tax incentives
2009 - ILFC on the block for sale after parent company AIG posts record financial loss