Holyman’s Airways were the first airline to convince the Australian Government to allow American build commercial aircraft to be allowed to operate in Australia.

They introduced the iconic Douglas DC-2 on routes between major capital cities, and first landed the aircraft at Essendon in 1936. Holyman’s merged with Adelaide Steamship Company to form Australian National Airways (ANA) and had ambitious plans to grow its domestic aviation services, later acquiring its second DC-2 to start regular services between Melbourne and Perth.

ANA however was never able to survive the introduction of a well-resourced government owned competitor TAA, which entered interstate air services in in the early 1940s.

The first landing of a DC-2 at Essendon Aerodrome attracted many aviation enthusiasts and Melburnians alike. A marvel of its era. The aircraft also holds another important milestone in Australian aviation history – the first aircraft in Australia to carry air hostesses!