American Export Lines, a shipping company, established American Export Airlines in 1942 which then established service to Lisbon. In 1945 the airline was further authorized AOA to fly to Northern Europe. On June 1, 1945, the CAB authorized a merger between American Export Airlines with American Airlines. On November 10, 1945, American Export name was changed to American Overseas Airlines and the merger with American was formally completed on December 5, 1945. American Airlines operated AOA as a seperate entity. On September 25, 1950 the CAB authorized the sale of AOA to Pan American Airways.