QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13G

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. 5)* OMB APPROVALOMB Number: 3235-0145Expires: December 31, 1997 Estimated average burden
hours per response. . . 14.90

Airborne Freight Corporation
(Name of Issuer)
Common
(Title of Class of Securities)
	009266107
	(CUSIP Number)

        Check the following box if a fee is being paid with this statement o. (A fee is not required only if the filing person: (1) has a previous statement on file reporting beneficial ownership of more than five percent of the class of securities described in Item 1; and (2) has filed no amendment subsequent thereto reporting beneficial ownership of five percent or less of such class.) (See Rule 13d-7).

        *The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior page.

        The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be 'filed' for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

(Continued on following page(s))

Page 1 of 3 Pages

Schedule 13G

CUSIP No. 009266107

(1)	Names of Reporting Persons. S.S. or I.R.S. Identification Nos. of Above Persons
	PRIMECAP Management Company                                      95-3868081
(2)	Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group*
	(a) o
	(b) o
(3)	SEC Use Only
(4)	Citizenship or Place of Organization
	225 South Lake Avenue #400, Pasadena, CA 91101-3005

	(5)	Sole Voting Power
		-0-
Number of
Shares	(6)	Shared Voting Power
Beneficially		-0-
Owned by
Each	(7)	Sole Dispositive Power
Reporting		3,202,150
Person With:
	(8)	Shared Dispositive Power
		-0-

(9)	Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
	3,202,150
(10)	Check Box iF the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares*
	o
(11)	Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9)
	6.61%
(12)	Type of Reporting Person*
	IA
SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILLING OUT!

Page 2 of 3 Pages

business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect.

SIGNATURE

        After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

March 31, 2003

Date

/s/ THEO A. KOLOKOTRONES

Signature

Theo A. Kolokotrones, President

Name/Title

Page 3 of 3 Pages

QuickLinks

SIGNATURE