On CNN: the epic saga of Aéropostale

Last month, 90 years to date, one of the most iconic airlines of the early days of aviation ceased to exist…well, kind of…its assets were absorbed in 1931 by the company that would become Air France, but Aéropostale’s reputation has certainly stuck, to the point that even decades later it lent its name to a popular clothing brand.

During its short years of existence, in the 1920s, this mainly cargo airline managed to attract to its ranks some of the most daring aviators of its time, such as Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and Mermoz..and for good reason! At a time when aircraft were rather fragile contraptions made of wood, canvas and little more, the Aéropostale pilots braved the extremes, overflying the vast expanses of the Sahara desert or the cold peaks of the Andes, in order to carry mail between Europe and South America.

In my latest article for CNN, I explore the fascinating story of Aéropostale and how its imprint lives on even today…