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The Descriptive Finding Guide for Caribair Corporate Collection

 Collection
Identifier: SDASM-SC-10271

Abstract

Collection is of artifacts collected since the 1950s for Caribair passenger airline company which ceased operations in 1973.

Dates

  • Majority of material found within 1960 - 1980

Biographical / Historical

Collection is of artifacts collected since the 1950s for Caribair passenger airline company which ceased operations in 1973.

Caribair, a notable Puerto Rican airline, was founded in 1939 as Caribbean Atlantic Airlines and later rebranded in 1948. It quickly became a beloved choice among both locals and tourists, making its mark as the first Puerto Rican airline to operate jet airplanes on regularly scheduled passenger routes, particularly its fleet of DC-9s. Initially a subsidiary of National Airlines, Caribair's early operations focused on connecting cities within Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, the airline's status as a subsidiary was short-lived, as the Civil Aeronautics Board revoked this designation soon after its inception. Following its name change in 1950, Caribair experienced rapid expansion, significantly growing its international route network. New destinations included St. Croix, St. Maarten, Guadeloupe, St. Thomas, and the Dominican Republic. The introduction of DC-9 jets further enhanced Caribair's reputation, enabling service to a wider array of cities, including Martinique, St. Lucia, Aruba, and Kingston. Despite a small fleet, which also included aircraft such as the DC-3, Convair CV-340, Convair CV-440, Lockheed Model 50, Convair CV-640, and Stinson SM-6000, Caribair's varied aircraft aligned well with its operational needs. In the 1960s, Caribair began operating flights on behalf of Eastern Airlines, a strategic move aimed at increasing Eastern's presence in Puerto Rico. However, by the early 1970s, Eastern recognized that acquiring Caribair outright was the best path forward, especially in the face of rising competition from Delta Air Lines. The acquisition was completed in 1973, effectively marking the end of Caribair as an independent airline. By 1980, Eastern Airlines had absorbed Caribair's fleet and established a hub in San Juan, concluding a significant chapter in Caribbean aviation history.

Extent

1.5 Cubic Feet ( The collection contains materials collected by Jose M. Sierra relating to the airline Caribair. ) : Description: This is a two box collection, each measuring 16.25x12.5x10.5”. The collection is in original order. ; This is a two box collection, each measuring 16.25x12.5x10.5”.

Language of Materials

English

Separated Materials

Removed to other collections 1. Three reels of film in bubble wrap a. Caribbean Atlantic Airlines, Inc; F#4 Caribair (St. Croix) b. Caribbean Atlantic Airlines, Inc; F#1 Caribair (institutional) c. Caribbean Atlantic Airlines, Inc; F#2 Caribair (St. Thomas), espanol 2. Five dvds a. 4 DVDs of Pictures of the PAA Caribbean and Caribair b. 1 16mm Y&R copy, “Good audio, inst’ one Pact”

Book, “Eastern, An Airline and its Aircraft: From the Great Silver Fleet to the Shuttle”, by R.E.G. Davies, Illustrated by Mike Machat

Title
The Descriptive Finding Guide for the Caribair Corporate Collection
Author
AR
Date
2025
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives Repository

Contact:
2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park
San Diego 92101 USA US
(619) 234-8291
(619) 233-4525 (Fax)