note

Arthur Butler OBE (1902-1980) was an English-Australian aviator who became a barnstormer before in 1934 winning the contract for the Charleville, Queensland to Cootamundra, New South Wales leg of the England-Australia airmail route. The Butler Air Transport Co lost the contract on its expiry in 1938, but went on to operate as a civil airline, serving country towns in New South Wales and Queensland. During World War II, Butler continued operating on a limited scale, and also manufactured parts for the Australian war effort on a cost recovery basis. At the end of the war, Butler registered Butler Air Transport Pty Ltd as a public company, that became the most successful airline in New South Wales In the 1950s the Government of Australia sought to nationalise the airlines, and adopted a "two airline policy" favouring Ansett Airways and Trans Australia Airlines.Despite a legal and boardroom battle to retain or regain control, Arthur Butler lost. the company, which was effectively absorbed into Ansett as Airlines of New South Wales in 1959, then into Ansett Express.

founded - demised (age)

1934 - 1959  (25)

headquarters

, Sydney

web

base airports

YSSY Kingsford Smith International Sydney

related operators

Ansett Airways

Absorbed