The Best Kept Secret in the Sky: AirNet
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.airnet.com/"><img alt="" src="/files/public/userfiles/1000/blog/2010/10/AirNet-Logo-1024x240.jpg" title="AirNet " class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-493" style="width: 510px; height: 122px;"></a></p>
<p><em>Crash Blog: Crash Innovative Columbus Businesses. Write about it. Post it.</em> <em> </em>Have you ever wondered how organs for transplant travel cross-country safely and quickly? Or how brand new movies are distributed to movie theaters without being pirated? Even, how radio-active chemicals are transported?<!--more--> The answer is summed up in one word; <a href="http://www.airnet.com/">AirNet</a>. Although AirNet originally started as a bank airline to transport cash letters, new government legislation required all cash letters to be transferred electronically. As a result of this legislation, AirNet's bank business declined. In order to stay in business, AirNet transformed into a highly specialized <a href="http://www.airnet.com/about/about.aspx">expedited courier airline</a> that transports small packages for a wide array of <a href="http://www.airnet.com/solutions/solutions.aspx">diverse industries</a>. "We had to evolve our business to stay around," according to Holly Stapleton, Marketing Manager of AirNet. "We are now the third largest air cargo company in the US, and we focus on highly sensitive small package freight that UPS and FedEx would prefer to avoid." At first, AirNet seemed like a government operation covertly transporting secrets. Located far off the beaten path, their headquarters are quiet and guarded, equipped with monitors everywhere displaying pertinent 'business' information. After seeing movie posters adorning every wall, I knew I had not created a breach. Stapleton assured me that each part of their business requires a great deal of intel, as they transport organs, data tapes, radioactive chemicals, movies, and sometimes, VIPs.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.airnet.com/about/fleet.aspx"><img width="235" height="177" align="left" src="/files/public/userfiles/1000/blog/2010/10/photo-14.jpg" title="AirNet Jet" style="margin: 0pt 20px 20px 0pt;" alt=""></a></p>
<p>"We excel at dealing with these types of materials, because our closed loop network provides persistent chain of custody and a greater degree of security and control," she said. "We have <a href="http://www.airnet.com/services/sdx.aspx">door to door</a> service, where we pick up a package at the senders address, personally transport it to our plane, fly to the destination and deliver it to the door of the recipient." Talk about shipping insurance! Even the top guns at movie studios trust AirNet with their <a href="http://www.airnet.com/solutions/entertainment.aspx">new movies</a>. "Movies are very security sensitive," she said. "We ensure that these films are delivered to the appropriate location, without being stolen or pirated." It is clear that AirNet values privacy. Tucked away in the back of their building, their hangar sits, housing their jets, among several others. "We maintain our own planes, and other people's planes," Stapleton said. "Planes can land here, be serviced, and fly right out." With an <a href="http://www.airnet.com/services/passengercharter.aspx">Executive Class Charter service</a>, college coaches have secretly gone scouting, corporate executives fly in and out the same day, and rockstars have even landed on their runway to avoid attention. AirNet plans to continue to pursue markets that have been successful, but continue to evolve by expanding to new areas. Air cargo companies beware, AirNet is going <a href="http://www.airnet.com/services/sdxg.aspx">international</a>.</p>
