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Eastern Air Express

American charter airline From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Eastern Air Express (formerly Hillwood Airways and ATX Air Services)[2][3] is an American charter airline headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. It was formerly a subsidiary of The Perot Group, which is controlled by Ross Perot, Jr.

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History

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Former Hillwood Airways logo

The airline was initially founded in 2013 as ATX Air Services and operated under a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 125 certificate, limiting the airline to only flying under long-term agreements with a few clients.[2]

ATX Air Services rebranded as Hillwood Airways in 2016,[3] received its FAA Part 121 Air Carrier Certification on July 24, 2017, and subsequently started charter operations.[4]

The airline commenced operations with a single Boeing 737-700C BBJ and currently offers it for charter in four configurations: 36 first-class seats with two conference tables, 60 first-class seats, 90 premium economy seats or as a full freighter. It is one of only a few Boeing 737 BBJs fitted with a full-size main-deck cargo door.[5]

Between 2019 and 2021 the airline took delivery of three regular Boeing 737-700s that were originally delivered to Airtran Airways and ConocoPhillips Alaska.[citation needed] The three regulars 737-700s are available for charter in all-passenger configurations ranging from 60 first class to 100 premium economy seats.[5]

One of the airline's Boeing 737-700s was involved in the 2021 Kabul airlift.[6]

In May 2023, Eastern Air Holdings, owner of Eastern Airlines, announced its plans to acquire Hillwood Airways.[7] The airline was officially purchased on August 15, 2023, and continues to operate under its existing brand.[1] The company announced on November 13, 2023, its rebrand as Eastern Air Express.[8]

In February 2024, Eastern Air Holdings selected Kansas City, Missouri as its new headquarters.[9]

In April 2024, Eastern Air Holdings acquired the aircraft and other assets of iAero Airways.[10]

As of at least February 2025, Eastern Air Express has been contracted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to operate deportation flights of illegal immigrants.[11]

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Fleet

Current

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Hillwood Airways 737-700C/BBJ at Tallinn Airport, Estonia in 2019.

The Eastern Air Express fleet includes the following aircraft (as of May 2025):[5]

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Former

Eastern Air Express formerly operated the following aircraft:[citation needed]

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See also

References

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