Air Transport International

Not to be confused with Aero Trasporti Italiani, which used the same initials
Air Transport International
A Boeing 757 of Air Transport International
IATA ICAO Call sign
8C[1] ATN[2] AIR TRANSPORT[2]
Founded1981
Commenced operations1988 (1988) (under former Interstate ownership)
AOC #IXXA394N[3]
HubsCincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
Fleet size49
Parent companyAir Transport Services Group
HeadquartersWilmington, Ohio, United States
Key peopleMike Betson (President)
Websitewww.airtransport.cc

Air Transport International, Inc. (ATI) is an airline based in Wilmington, Ohio, United States. It operates worldwide cargo and passenger charter service for the express package industry (notably, Amazon) and freight forwarders, as well as for the United States Department of Defense. It also wet-leases aircraft. Its main base is Wilmington.[4] It is part of the Air Transport Services Group (ATSG).

ATI's origins are complex. It is often (including on its own website)[5] identified with Interstate Airlines, a 1980s cargo airline, but while there was a connection there was no corporate continuity. Interstate liquidated in the late 1980s after a severe business reverse and its owner bought ATI, a separate carrier, and operated it from former Interstate facilities with former Interstate aircraft. In 1994, ATI merged with another cargo airline, International Cargo Xpress dba International Charter Xpress (ICX). ATI then went through 1998 Chapter 11 bankruptcy and changed owners at least thrice, including once-prominent air freight company BAX Global and since 2007, ATSG. In 2013, ATSG merged a sister airline, Capital Cargo International Airlines, into ATI.

History

Air Traffic Services Corp. and Interstate

Two organizations competed to fly parts for Big Three automakers after Universal Airlines collapsed in May 1972: Zantop International Airlines (ZIA) and Air Traffic Services Corp. (ATSC; not to be confused with ATI's current owner, ATSG).[6] Founded by David M. Clark (previously at Universal and predecessor Zantop Air Transport) and like ZIA, headquartered at Willow Run Airport near Detroit, ATSC hired airlines to fly parts and provided aircraft to some of those airlines through a related company, Plymouth Leasing.[7] ATSC gave significant business to nascent carriers Evergreen International Airlines and Rosenbalm Aviation in the mid-1970s.[8] ATSC gained national attention in 1979 when reporting showed that in the early 1970s ATSC contracted with Intermountain Aviation and Southern Air Transport, later revealed to be Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) controlled. Clark said he didn't know, but he also said the CIA offered him a job. ATSC's revenue was reported at $50 million/year (over $220 million in 2026 terms).[9]

The 1977 Air Cargo Deregulation Act freed the US domestic air freight market. In 1978, ATSC founded Interstate Airlines (originally U.S. Airways),[11] operational by year-end 1979.[12] Interstate was originally a Convair 580 operator (see Fleet), the aircraft owned by Plymouth Leasing or ATSC, several flying for each of Purolator and Emery.[13] It graduated to Lockheed Electras, Boeing 727s and Douglas DC-8s (see Fleet). The airline was known for flying thoroughbreds, including Secretariat. In 1983, its main commercial customer was Emery and it had 13 727s based in Dayton.[14] The airline also operated for the USAF Logair program.[15] By 1987, Interstate was one of four main contractors for United Parcel Service (UPS), flying packages on UPS-owned aircraft along with Evergreen, Orion and Ryan.[16] ATSC and Interstate moved headquarters from Michigan to Little Rock, Arkansas in 1983[17] but in 1987, UPS's Louisville hub was Interstate's main base with about 300 (out of about 400) employees based there.[18]

Air One and liquidation

Interstate was interested in passenger service, at one time hiring Mark G. Morris as a consultant on a passenger project.[19] Morris later launched St. Louis-based Air One, which operated all first-class 727s (see picture) from April 1983 to an October 1984 bankruptcy. In 1986 ATSC hired Morris[20] and in February 1987 Interstate merged with the remains of Air One.[21] But in August 1987, UPS announced it would directly operate its aircraft by the end of 1988.[16] This stripped Interstate of 80% of its business and stranded assets like a Little Rock training center, leading Interstate to declare bankruptcy in October.[18] Starting 1988, Interstate liquidated under Chapter 11.[22]

Transition to Air Transport International and ICX

Air Transport International first certificated in 1981; Duane Zantop (majority owner of ZIA) owned 50%.[23] ATI operated intermittently; the Civil Aeronautics Board said it was not operating as of March 1983,[24] but Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reports show ATI operations in 1984.[25] It certificated a second time in 1986–1987.[26][27] ATSC's owner bought 50% of ATI in 1988[28] and operated it from Interstate's former facilities in Little Rock.[29] But Interstate dissolved, it did not merge into ATI.[30] Of the initial ATI fleet, three of four DC-8s were ex-Interstate.[31][1] As nearby photos show, the initial ATI livery was derivative of the Interstate livery.

International Cargo Xpress dba International Charter Xpress (ICX) (ICAO: ICX, call sign: INTEX)[32], certificated in 1992, was another DC-8 operator under common ownership with ATI.[33] Incorporation records show ATI and ICX merged in November 1994.[34] Three months later, ATI suffered the destruction of its third DC-8 within four years, two of the three crashes fatal (see Accidents and Investigations). The National Transportation Safety Board investigation called out the company and the FAA for insufficient oversight, noting FAA inspector's supervision was inadequate and that he was consumed with the administration of merging the two certificates.[35]

Chapter 11 and BAX Global

David Clark remained owner of ATI in 1995.[36] However, by 1997 the airline was in financial trouble and up for sale.[37] 50% of the airline's 1997 revenue was military.[38] The winning bidder was freight company BAX Global, for which, in 1998, ATI was flying 12 aircraft.[39] BAX had earlier decided to start its own carrier, but was able to buy ATI out of Chapter 11 for $27 million ($54 million in 2026 terms) in April 1998. BAX replaced senior management.[37][40]

In 2006, BAX Global was sold, as part of which, ATI was sold in 2006 to Cargo Holdings International (CHI), for a "nominal consideration." It had 495 employees.[4][41]

ATSG

Cargo Aircraft Management was the lead customer for the Boeing 767 freighter conversion program. In the 12 months after ATI's sale by Brinks to CHI, worldwide airline profits fell significantly; however, ATI continued to negate this trend. Delivery of fully modernized and fuel efficient Boeing 767 was on track for June 2008.

On November 2, 2007, Cargo Holdings International, the parent company of ATI entered into an agreement to be acquired by Wilmington, OH-based ABX Holdings. The company along with sister company Capital Cargo International Airlines were run as separate companies under the Air Transport Services Group umbrella.

In March 2013 Capital Cargo merged with Air Transport.[42]

In March 2016, Amazon.com announced that it would be using ATI to provide transport services for the Amazon Prime network. The deal under ATI's parent company will result in an increase in aircraft, frequencies, and jobs for the airline. ATI has since become the primary carrier serving Amazon Air.[43] ATI currently also operates military charters for the U.S. Transportation Command.[44]

Fleet

Current fleet

As of August 2025, Air Transport International operates an all Boeing fleet:[45][46]

Air Transport International fleet
Aircraft In
service
Boeing 757-200C 4
Boeing 767-200BDSF 1
Boeing 767-200SF 1
Boeing 767-300ER(BCF) 3
Boeing 767-300ER(BDSF) 40
Total 49

Former fleet

1987-88 World Airline Fleets (copyright 1987) shows Interstate Airlines with (client shown in parenthesis):[31]

JP fleets 1989 (copyright May 1989) shows Air Transport International with (client shown in parenthesis):[1]

In January 1998, Aviation Week and Space Technology reported ATI had the following fleet:[48]

Accidents and incidents

  • 12 March 1991: On takeoff from New York Kennedy Airport on a flight to Brussels, ATI Douglas DC-8-62F N730PL (picture of this aircraft nearby) overran the runway, leading to collapse of the landing gear, separation of all four engines and destruction of the aircraft by fire. The flight engineer configured the aircraft and calculated takeoff speeds using a weight 100,000 lbs under actual. The first officer and captain failed to catch the mistake, resulting in a failed takeoff at a speed far under that required. The company was also cited for assigning technically qualified but low-experience crew together. All on board survived, the crew of three unharmed, the two passengers with minor injuries.[49]
  • 15 February 1992: The crew lost control of ATI Flight 805, Douglas DC-8-63F N794AL at Toledo, Ohio on a flight from Seattle resulting in the crash of the aircraft 3 miles from the airport and the death of all three crew and the one passenger on board. Investigation said the crew was unable to recover when aircraft entered an unusual attitude due to the disorientation of the captain, possibly due to a physiological issue and/or a broken aircraft instrument. The captain took control of the aircraft after the second missed approach by the first officer.[50]
  • 16 February 1995: Crew was performing, at night, a second attempt at a takeoff of a three (out of four) engine ferry flight of Douglas DC-8-63F N782AL from Kansas City to Chicopee, Massachusetts when it lost control, but attempted to lift off at below the computed takeoff speed, resulting in further loss of control and crash, killing all three crew members. Investigation noted the crew was relatively inexperienced, poorly rested and poorly prepared for such a flight, noting that airlines flying the same aircraft generally restricted such flights to experienced crews, during daytime. The airline and the FAA were cited for insufficient oversight.[51]

Animal transport negligence

In December 2014, the United States Department of Agriculture cited Air Transport International for failing to provide food and water for over 24 hours to 1,148 crab-eating macaques shipped from Guangzhou to Houston, in violation of the Animal Welfare Act. This was the second time ATI had "run afoul of the law" for transporting animals from China for laboratory research.[52]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Klee, Ulrich (May 1989). JP airline-fleets international 89 (23 ed.). Glattbrugg, Switzerland: Bucher Publications. p. 227. ISBN 9783857581236.
  2. ^ a b Change 1 to Order 7340.2B, Contractions (Report). Federal Aviation Administration. 10 March 2011. p. 3-1-13. hdl:2027/pur1.32754081251641.
  3. ^ "Federal Aviation Administration - Airline Certificate Information - Detail View". av-info.faa.gov. Retrieved 2019-12-21.
  4. ^ a b "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International. 2007-03-27. pp. 67–68.
  5. ^ "Our History". Air Transport International. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  6. ^ "Automotive Cargo Investigation". Civil Aeronautics Board Reports. 70 Part 2. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office: 1560. March–June 1976. hdl:2027/osu.32437011657901.
  7. ^ AutoCargo 1976, p. 1575–1579.
  8. ^ "'Piggyback' deal promotes airline growth spurt". The Oregonian. 137 (45867): A-14. 18 August 1988. ISSN 8750-1317.
  9. ^ "Big 3 Doing Business With CIA". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 29 (80): A-3. 17 February 1979. ISSN 2473-1609.
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  12. ^ Federal Aviation Administration (1979). FAA Statistical Handbook (Report). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 58. hdl:2027/osu.32435030758577.
  13. ^ Gradidge, J.M.G. (1998). The Convairliners Story. Air-Britain. pp. 213, 225, 228, 231–233, 255, 265–267, 271. ISBN 0851302432. Construction numbers 24, 29, 115, 135, 154, 157, 161, 168, 354, 446, 453, 454, 458, 496.
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  15. ^ "Crashed plane was hauling for AF". Dayton Daily News. 110 (31): 6. 10 October 1986. ISSN 0897-0920.
  16. ^ a b "UPS to take direct control of its jet fleet". Louisville Courier-Journal. 265 (56): B8. 25 August 1987. ISSN 1930-2177.
  17. ^ "Children's Hospital Challenged To Raise $1 Million For Match". Jonesboro (AR) Sun. 83 (180): C1. 1 June 1986. ISSN 2575-8829.
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  23. ^ "Air Transport International, Charter Authority". Civil Aeronautics Board Reports. 91. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office: 172–212. March–June 1976. hdl:2027/ien.35559002074809.
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  25. ^ Aircraft Utilization & Propulsion Reliability Report: September 1984 (Report). Oklahoma City: Federal Aviation Administration. November 1984. pp. vi, 3. hdl:2027/ien.35556029942307. Air carrier symbol IAC.
  26. ^ "Department of Transportation: Application of Air Transport International, Inc.; for Certificate Authority Under Subpart Q". Federal Register. 51 (47): 8390. 11 March 1986. hdl:2027/uiug.30112058908473.
  27. ^ "Department of Transportation: Office of the Secretary (Order 87-8-36; Docket 44922] Application of Air Transport International, Inc.; Order To Show Cause". Federal Register. 52 (160): 31111. 19 August 1987. hdl:2027/uiug.30112058907392.
  28. ^ NTSB 1995, p. 49.
  29. ^ NTSB 1992, p. 38.
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  33. ^ "Department of Transportation: Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity and Foreign Air Carrier Permits Filed Under Subpart Q During the Week Ended September 2, 1994". Federal Register. 59 (175): 46877. 12 September 1994. hdl:2027/uiug.30112059136058.
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  35. ^ NTSB 1995, p. 74–75.
  36. ^ "Answers to crash are sought". Connecticut Post. 4 (49): C7. 18 February 1988. ISSN 1070-874X.
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  40. ^ Pittston Company (14 May 1998). Form 8-K: Acquisition or Disposition of Assets, April 30, 1998 (Report). Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  41. ^ Brink's Company (28 February 2006). Form 8-K: Other Events (Report). Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  42. ^ Popkins, Ned (17 December 2012). "Orlando-based Capital Cargo International Airlines shutting down". OrlandoSentinel.com. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2019-05-27.
  43. ^ Kulisch, Eric (2024-05-07). "Amazon hires ATSG to fly 10 Boeing 767 freighters". FreightWaves. Retrieved 2025-02-04.
  44. ^ Bush, John (2021-06-29). "Local cargo airline lands millions of dollars in new defense work". Dayton Business Journal. Archived from the original on 2021-06-29. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  45. ^ "Global Airline Guide 2025 - Air Transport International". Airliner World. September 2025. p. 79.
  46. ^ "Fleet". Air Transport International, Inc. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
  47. ^ Future of General and Commuter Aviation Technology and Trade: Joint Hearing before the Subcommittee on Transportation, Aviation, and Materials of the Committee on Science and Technology, U.S. House of Representatives and the Subcommittee on Aviation of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, United States Senate, Ninety-Seventh Congress, August 27, 1981 (Report). Washington, DC: Government Printing Office. 1981. p. 218. hdl:2027/mdp.39015082337752.
  48. ^ "All-Cargo Airlines". Aviation Week & Space Technology. 148 (2): 343. 12 January 1998. ISSN 0005-2175.
  49. ^ Aviation Accident Final Report: Air Transport International, N730PL, Douglas DC-8-62, Jamaica, NY, 03/12/1991 (PDF) (Report). Washington, DC: National Transportation Safety Board. 30 September 1992. NYC91FA086. Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  50. ^ Aircraft Accident Report: Air Transport International, Inc., Flight 805, Douglas DC-8-63, N794AL, Loss of Control and Crash, Swanton, Ohio, February 15, 1992 (Report). Washington, DC: National Transportation Safety Board. 19 November 1992. hdl:2027/ien.35556022302764. AAR-92/05.
  51. ^ Aircraft Accident Report: Uncontrolled Collision with Terrain, Air Transport International, Douglas DC-8-63, N782AL, Kansas City International Airport, Kansas City, Missouri, February 16, 1995 (Report). Washington, DC: National Transportation Safety Board. 30 August 1995. hdl:2027/ien.35556025725508. AAR-95/06.
  52. ^ "U.S. Charter Airline Cited for Neglecting Cargo of Macaques From China - The New York Times". 8 January 2015.

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