Amerijet International Airlines has announced the passing of its founder David Bassett.

Bassett established Amerijet in 1974, building what began as a modest single-aircraft air taxi service into a major international cargo airline serving the Caribbean, Central America and South America. In the early days he personally piloted flights while growing the business, gradually expanding operations and partnerships across the Americas.

His career in aviation began well before the airline’s founding. As a young man living in Guyana, where his family worked as missionaries, Bassett learned to fly and helped maintain aircraft operating from remote jungle airstrips. He later joined the United States Air Force, gaining further aviation experience before returning to South Florida to pursue an entrepreneurial career in aviation.

During the 1970s, when Bassett launched Amerijet, most freight still travelled in the belly holds of passenger aircraft. Dedicated cargo airlines were only beginning to emerge. Bassett recognised the potential for specialised cargo carriers and positioned Amerijet to serve underserved regional markets.

The company initially operated as Professional Charter Services, flying a leased Cessna 401 between South Florida and the Bahamas. By 1976 it had transitioned to a dedicated freight carrier supporting the rapid growth of overnight courier networks. Amerijet soon flew contracts for major logistics firms including FedEx, United Parcel Service, DHL and Airborne Express.

Bassett acquired full ownership of the airline in 1982 and continued expanding the fleet and logistics infrastructure. In 1987 Amerijet established its main hub at Miami International Airport, building a cargo network linking the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and South America — routes that remain central to the airline’s operations.

Colleagues say Bassett emphasised strong relationships with customers, agents and partners across the region. Under his leadership, Amerijet gained a reputation for reliability and for supporting Caribbean and Latin American communities during hurricanes and other disasters by transporting critical relief supplies.

He was also known for a mentorship-focused leadership style, encouraging employees to build long careers within the company and helping cultivate a strong internal culture alongside his wife, Kandee.

Bassett’s contributions to aviation were widely recognised. In 2007 he received the Juan Trippe Award for his role in advancing international aviation, and in 2013 the Wright Brothers Memorial Award from the Greater Miami Aviation Association for lifetime contributions to commercial aviation safety.

He is survived by his wife, Kandee, and three daughters. Industry figures say his legacy will endure through the airline he built and the generations of aviation professionals he mentored throughout a career spanning more than four decades.

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