Arrow Air was a United States-based cargo and charter airline that operated primarily in the Americas and Caribbean. Founded in 1947, the carrier specialized in freight transport and supplemental charter services, building a reputation as a major player in cargo operations during the latter half of the 20th century. The airline is perhaps most tragically remembered for Arrow Air Flight 1285, a December 1985 crash in Gander, Newfoundland, Canada, that killed 256 people—one of Canada's deadliest aviation disasters. The aircraft, a DC-8, was carrying U.S. military personnel returning home from peacekeeping duties in the Sinai Peninsula. Following financial difficulties and the fallout from the Gander disaster, Arrow Air went through bankruptcy and operational restructuring. The carrier eventually ceased operations in the early 2000s, marking the end of a decades-long presence in North American air cargo and charter markets.