1946

Trans-Pacific Airlines' inaugural flight. The first plane used was a war surplus DC-3.

1958

Dr. Hung Wo Ching takes over management, changes the carrier's name to Aloha Airlines. With the change comes a new aircraft: The Jetprop F-27.

1969

Fleet replaced with Boeing 737s.

1986

Takeover attempt by Dallas-based CNS Partners fails. Aloha's board decides to take the company private.

1987

Leveraged buyout completed, led by longtime board members Hung Wo Ching and Sheridan Ing.

Parent company switches from Delaware to Hawai'i registration and changes its name to Aloha Airgroup Inc.

1992

Suffers first financial loss since 1985 because of Hurricane Iniki.

1994

Glenn Zander takes over as president and chief executive officer.

2001

Begins service to Orange County, Calif.

Trims interisland flights by 26 percent and lays off about 250 employees in response to drastic drop in travel after 9/11.

DECEMBER 2001

Announces intention to merge with Hawaiian Airlines. Greg Brenneman, a former Continental Airlines executive, is named to head the new airline.

MARCH 2002

Hawaiian calls off the proposed merger with Aloha, citing delays and saying terms of agreement were not being met. Aloha president Glenn Zander says Hawaiian chairman John Adams wanted to run the new airline himself instead of letting Brenneman take over.

APRIL 2002

Begins service from Honolulu to Burbank, Calif., and Vancouver, British Columbia. Later adds service between Maui and Burbank, Phoenix and Vancouver.

SEPTEMBER 2002

Aloha and Hawaiian receive federal approval for a controversial antitrust exemption, clearing the way for the two carriers to begin coordinating capacity on several key interisland routes.

NOVEMBER 2002

Reaches agreement with four of its unions on pay cuts and contract extensions covering 3,000 workers that the airline said would save it $37 million in labor costs over three years.

DECEMBER 2002

Wins approval for a $45 million loan guarantee from Air Transportation Stabilization Board.

APRIL 2003

Reports loss of $43 million in 2002, surpassing its $11.1 million loss the previous year.

DECEMBER 2003

Begins twice-a-week service between Honolulu and Pago Pago.

MAY 2004

Reports a $1.18 million profit for 2003.

NOVEMBER 2004

David Banmiller, a former top executive with Air Jamaica, replaces Glenn Zander as president and CEO.

DEC. 17, 2004

Citing higher fuel costs, Aloha reports a $6 million loss in the third quarter, its fourth quarterly loss in a row.

DEC. 30, 2004

Files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

FEB. 24, 2005

Announces agreement to receive up to $90 million in financing from MatlinPatterson Global Opportunities Partners II LP.

MARCH 22, 2005

Announces agreement to obtain up to $65 million from joint venture involving an arm of Goldman Sachs to repay loans and continue operations. Deal replaces previous agreement with MatlinPatterson.

APRIL 20, 2005

Announces plans to eliminate 79 aircraft maintenance positions, even after mechanics and inspectors agreed to 10 percent pay cut and other concessions.

JULY 26, 2005

Bankruptcy judge approves Banmiller's employment contract of more than $500,000 a year in salary and housing allowances.

SEPT. 10, 2005

Announces operating profits doubled in July, marking third straight month of higher earnings.

SEPT. 22, 2005

Group of Mainland investors, including former Chicago Bears football player Willie Gault, agrees to acquire the airline. Group to invest $50 million in new capital and provide another $50 million in new financing.

Source: Advertiser research