Deutsche Verkehrsflug

formerly
Nordbayerische Verkehrsflug

Germany

This airline started as Nordbayerische Verkehrsflug in 1926, initially to operate short-haul routes
but eventually ended up competing with the newly-established national airline, Deutsche Luft Hansa.
Founder was Theo Croneiß, a former WW1 fighter pilot and later director of one of the Sportflug companies,
a flight school, which acted in support of Reichswehr, the German Army. Croneiß worked closely with
Willy Messerschmitt, who built the M 18 four-seater for the airline. The M 18 was a cheap plane and proved very
profitable for Nordbayerische. In December 1930, the airline changed its name to Deutsche Verkehrsflug
to reflect that it was no longer just a regional airline in northern Bavaria. However, stiff opposition from
Deutsche Lufthansa and government regulations forced the airline to cease operations in 1934.

BL

Nordbayerische Verkehrsflug
May 2, 1927
Click for views of the interior

DZ

Nordbayerische Verkehrsflug
May 21, 1929

DZ

Nordbayerische Verkehrsflug
Summer/autumn 1930

BL

May 1, 1931

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A site with interesting and detailed articles on pre-WW2 European airlines is Rob Mulder's:

There is an article on the history of Nordbayerische Verkehrsflug, when still using that name.

This page last updated February 12, 2012.