Southern Airways Logo PNG
Southern Airways: Brand overview
Southern Airways began as a regional airline in 1949 under the leadership of Frank Hulse. Based in Birmingham, Alabama, the airline began with a small fleet of piston aircraft, offering short flights to cities in the southeastern United States.
In the 1950s and 1960s, the airline expanded its route network to all southern states, including Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and others.
In the late 1960s, Southern Airways converted to jet airplanes, switching from piston engines to turbine engines.
Under the visionary leadership of Frank Hulse, Southern Airways expanded beyond passenger transportation and diversified its services. The company opened subsidiaries specializing in aircraft maintenance, ground handling, and cargo transportation, leveraging its regional expertise.
In 1979, Southern Airways merged with North Central Airlines to form Republic Airlines. The merger created a larger and more competitive airline with an expanded route network and operational capabilities.
Meaning and History
What is Southern Airways?
Southern Airways, founded by Frank Hulse in 1949, was a well-known local carrier in the United States. Until 1979, it served regional routes and played a crucial role in connecting small towns to major air hubs. In 1979, it merged with North Central Airlines to form a new organization known as Republic Airlines. The growth of the organization and its merger played an important role in the development of the air transportation network in the United States, especially in the South.
1944 – 1966
1966 – 1973
1973 – 1979
The Southern Airways logo consists of just two elements: An “air wave” and the first part of the company name. The wavy structure consists of three cobalt blue stripes of equal width. They are separated by two white stripes, exactly repeating the shape of the neighboring lines. Underneath these design elements is a one-word text. Visually, the text echoes the upper “waves” both in color and in the smoothness of the strokes. The font is predominantly lowercase, with the exception of the letter “S.” The letters are optimally spaced and not serifed.
The cobalt blue stripes symbolize movement and travel, while the white stripes symbolize purity and clarity, which corresponds to the theme of air travel. The use of a predominantly lowercase font with a single capital “S” gives the design a modern, accessible look. Optimal letter spacing ensures easy readability, which is essential for quick identification in a business environment.
