History

Since 1985, Freight Runners Express has grown consistently. The timeline below highlights company milestones, aircraft fleet changes, expansion of our team and more. Scroll down to see our deep history.

  • Company founded
  • FAA certification
  • Original fleet
  • First customers
  • First office
  • First UPS routes
  • Acquired first Cessna 402
  • Theresa Cook joins company
  • First aircraft hangar
  • First passenger flights
  • DBA added
  • Original logos
  • Acquired first Beech 99
  • New headquarters
  • Acquired eighth Beech 99
  • Fleet grows to 15 aircraft
  • Established CWA Mx base
  • Headquarters addition
  • Retired aircraft types
  • Hurricane pet rescue
  • Active Aero award
  • Christmas card
  • Total revenues $4,150,000
  • Chad Aumueller joins company
  • Acquired first Beech 1900
  • Mexico authorization
  • First company retiree
  • Christmas card
  • Beech 1900 STC issued
  • Acquired second hangar
  • Acquired third hangar
  • 30 employees
  • First King Air 350 operations
  • EFB authorization
  • Began Lansing UPS routes
  • Acquired third Beech 1900
  • 45 employees
  • Total Revenues $7,090,000 (increased 8.9% from previous year)
  • Acquired first Embraer 120
  • Embraer 120 simulator training
  • Total Revenues $7,860,000 (increased 10.9% from previous year)
  • Another logo created
  • First flight attendants hired
  • Proving runs completed
  • First Embraer 120 passenger flights
  • Retired Cessna 207 fleet
  • Christmas card
  • 55 employees
  • Total Revenues $9,700,000 (increased 23.1% from previous year)
  • Standardized logos
  • First university team flights
  • USCG contract
  • Famous passenger
  • Acquired second & third Embraer 120's
  • First Embraer 120 cargo flights
  • Added more hangar space
  • Retired Cessna 402 fleet
  • Total Revenues $11,900,000 (increased 22.7% from previous year)
  • New Board of Directors
  • New livery on Beech 99's & Embraer 120's
  • Acquired fourth Embraer 120
  • First Alaska flight
  • First all-female flight crew
  • First line technicians hired
  • 70 employees
  • Total Revenues $16,700,000 (increased 40.6% from previous year)
  • Sports team flights
  • New livery on Beech 1900
  • Hurricane pet rescue
  • Total Revenues $20,625,000 (increased 23.5% from previous year)
  • Acquired fifth & sixth Embraer 120's
  • Federal trademarks
  • Began Fargo UPS routes
  • Upgraded Beech 99 fleet avionics
  • Total Revenues $24,880,000 (increased 20.6% from previous year)
  • Acquired seventh Embraer 120
  • Sports team flights
  • 90 employees
  • Acquired former 440th hangar
  • Purchased eighth & ninth Embraer 120's
  • Upgraded Embraer 120 fleet avionics
  • Simulator dry lease
  • Saab 2000's ordered
  • Saab 2000 simulator training
  • Final company buyout
  • Retired King Air operations
  • Delivery of first Saab 2000's
  • Total Revenues $36,670,000 (increased 77.2% from previous pandemic year)
  • Delivery of more Saab 2000's
  • New livery on Saab 2000
  • Operated sixteen honor flights
  • Retired Beech 1900 fleet
  • Ops Control center opens
  • Long-time mechanic retires
  • 125 employees
  • Total Revenues $60,150,000 (increased 64.0% from previous year)

“I can’t say enough good things about Freight Runners Express. The potential growth for the individual pilot and the company itself is exponential. I spent 3.5 years there starting as BE-99 first officer and ending as EMB120 captain. I had so much fun with the variety of operations and built a solid foundation for my career. Without delay I was flying a B767 internationally. I miss the people and the flying, but so thankful for the opportunities FRE/ACE afforded me.” 

Kimberly Cordova
Boeing 767 Pilot