Lowell Yerex facts for kids

Lowell Yerex (born 24 July 1895 – died 1968) was a clever businessman who played a big part in starting several important airlines. He was born in New Zealand and later studied at Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana, in the United States.

After finishing university in 1916, Lowell Yerex joined the British Royal Flying Corps in 1917. He was a pilot during World War I. Unfortunately, his plane was shot down over France, and he became a prisoner of war in Germany for four months.

Starting Airlines

Lowell Yerex had a vision for air travel. He believed that airplanes could connect people and places across Central America and the Caribbean.

Transportes Aéreos Centro Americanos (TACA)

In 1931, Lowell Yerex founded his first airline, called Transportes Aéreos Centro Americanos. This airline helped connect many countries in Central America. He worked with TACA for many years, but he had to leave the company at the end of 1945.

British West Indian Airways (BWIA)

Lowell Yerex didn't stop there. In 1940, he was invited to Trinidad and Tobago by Lady Young, whose husband was the new governor. There, he founded another airline called British West Indian Airways. This airline became very important for travel in the Caribbean islands.

Aerovias Brasil

In 1941, Lowell Yerex also started an airline in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, called Aerovias Brasil. Over time, this airline joined with other companies. Eventually, its successor companies were bought by a larger Brazilian airline called VARIG in 1961.

Lowell Yerex was born in Wellington, New Zealand. He passed away in 1968 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

See also

In Spanish: Lowell Yerex para niños