Caribair operated from 1939s (under another name) becoming Caribair in 1948. The airline was based in San Juan, Puerto Rico and flew DC-3s, Convair 440s, and eventually DC-9s. Caribair's service extended from Miami through Jamaica, Hispanola, Puerto Rico, the USVI, and the southern Caribbean down to Aruba. Eastern, desiring an instant presence in the Caribbean beyond San Juan took over Caribair in 1973. American also saw the opportunity in the Caribbean taking over Trans-Caribbean in the early 1970s. When Eastern folded, American took over its Caribbean flights and Miami hubs which has led to its dominance in this region to this day.