Atlas Air

{{about|the cargo airline|the Massive Attack song|Heligoland (album)|other air topics|Atlas (disambiguation)}}

{{Infobox airline

| airline = Atlas Air

| logo = Atlas Air logo.svg

| image = N854GT@HKG (20181026132755).jpg

| caption = An Atlas Air 747-87UF

| image_upright = 1.15

| IATA = 5Y

| ICAO = GTI

| callsign = GIANT

| parent = Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings

| founded = {{start date and age|1992}}

| aoc = UIEA784U{{cite web|url=https://av-info.faa.gov/detail.asp?DSGN_CODE=UIEA&OPER_FAR=121&OPER_NAME=ATLAS+AIR+INC|title=Federal Aviation Administration – Airline Certificate Information – Detail View|website=av-info.faa.gov|access-date=May 14, 2019}}

| headquarters = White Plains, New York, U.S.

| key_people = {{unbulleted list

| Michael T. Steen (President & CEO)

| David N. Siegel (Chairman of the Board)

}}

| hubs = {{plainlist|

}}

| fleet_size = 107

| website = {{URL|https://www.atlasair.com/|atlasair.com}}

}}

Atlas Air, Inc. is a major American cargo airline, passenger charter airline, and aircraft lessor based in White Plains, New York. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings. Atlas Air is the world's largest operator of the Boeing 747, with 61 of the type. In 2021, the airline had 4,056 employees and operated to more than 300 global destinations.{{cite web | url=https://sec.report/Document/0001564590-22-005515/ | title=Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings Inc Annual Report 10-K }}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

History

File:N415MC@HKG (20181026114324).jpg departing Hong Kong.]]

File:N863GT EHAM.jpg]]

File:Dual Atlas Air On Runway 27.jpg as one of the airline's 747-400Fs lands on Runway 18C.]]

File:Boeing 747-2D7B(SF), Thai Airways International Cargo (Atlas Air) AN0604189.jpg (N522MC) Thai Airways International (Atlas Air)]]

In 1992, Atlas Air began operations when the airline's founder, Michael Chowdry, started leasing aircraft to airlines.{{cite web|url=https://www.joc.com/air-cargo/atlas-air-founder-chowdry-killed-plane-crash_20010124.html|last=Armbruster|first=William|date=January 24, 2001|title=Atlas Air Founder Chowdry Killed in Plane Crash|work=The Journal of Commerce|access-date=May 25, 2019|archive-date=May 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525132704/https://www.joc.com/air-cargo/atlas-air-founder-chowdry-killed-plane-crash_20010124.html|url-status=dead}}

In 1993, China Airlines, the first customer, initiated operations with Atlas Air with one airplane on an aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance (ACMI) agreement.{{cite web | url=https://www.atlasair.com/about-us/history/ | title=History }} By 1995, Atlas Air began trading publicly. In 1997, Atlas placed an order for 10 new Boeing 747-400F aircraft with another two orders for 747-400Fs placed in 1998.

On January 30, 2004, Atlas Air Worldwide entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In July 2004, the parent company completed its restructuring plan and emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.{{cite news | title= Directory: World Airlines | work= Flight International | page= 80 | date= March 27, 2007}}

In 2006, Amnesty International released a report on extraordinary rendition, stating that Atlas Air was one of the airlines used by the US government for rendering detainees. This was the basis for the song "Atlas Air" recorded by Massive Attack for the album Heligoland.{{cite web |url=http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/AMR51/051/2006/en/b543c574-fa09-11dd-b1b0-c961f7df9c35/amr510512006en.pdf |title=Archived copy |website=www.amnesty.org |access-date=11 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023131504/http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/AMR51/051/2006/en/b543c574-fa09-11dd-b1b0-c961f7df9c35/amr510512006en.pdf |archive-date=23 October 2012 |url-status=dead}} In 2007, Atlas Air began a multiyear training contract with the United States Air Force to provide training for the pilots of Air Force One. The contract also provided training for the Presidential Airlift Group. This program has been renewed several times and remains in place as of 2022.[https://web.archive.org/web/20201007043130/https://airwaysmag.com/airlines/air-force-one-pilot-training-extended-with-atlas-air/]

In March 2010, Atlas Air was awarded the contract to operate the Boeing Dreamlifter (officially the Boeing 747 Large Cargo Freighter), transporting aircraft parts to Boeing from suppliers around the world. It commenced operation in September 2010 under a CMI contract.{{cite web|last=Ostrower|first=Jon|date=March 9, 2010|title=Dreamlifter deal part of 747–8 compensation to Atlas|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/sources-dreamlifter-deal-part-of-747-8-compensation-to-atlas/92360.article|access-date=July 19, 2020|website=Flight Global|language=en}} In 2011, Atlas Air took the first North American delivery of the Boeing 747-8 Freighter (Boeing 747-8F).{{cite press release | url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20111108005979/en/Atlas-Air-Worldwide-Takes-Delivery-Of-Its-First-Boeing-747-8-Freighter | title=Atlas Air Worldwide Takes Delivery of Its First Boeing 747-8 Freighter | date=November 8, 2011 }}

On April 7, 2016, Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings purchased Southern Air for {{US$|110 million}} in an all-cash deal. The transaction included Worldwide Air Logistics Group, Inc. and its two operating subsidiaries, Southern Air, Inc. and Florida West International Airways, Inc.{{Cite news|last=Stynes|first=Tess|date=January 19, 2016|title=Atlas Air Agrees to Acquire Southern Air Holdings for $110 Million|language=en-US|work=The Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/atlas-air-agrees-to-acquire-southern-air-holdings-for-110-million-1453212843|access-date=July 19, 2020|issn=0099-9660}} On May 5, 2016, Amazon.com and Atlas Air announced a deal for Amazon.com to lease 20 Boeing 767s to fuel growth of its new Amazon air-freight service, branded as Amazon Air. The deal also warranted Amazon the ability to buy up to 30% stake in the company over the next seven years. Under the agreement, Atlas Air Inc. would provide aircraft and CMI for seven years. This move came after Amazon's similar deal with Air Transport Services Group for 20 aircraft, also to be branded under Amazon Air.{{cite news|last1=Jamerson|first1=Joshua|title=Amazon Partners with Atlas Air Worldwide for Cargo Services|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/amazon-partners-with-atlas-air-worldwide-for-cargo-services-1462455676|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=May 5, 2016|access-date=September 15, 2016}} In March 2017, Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings shut down Florida West International Airways and cancelled the operating certificate.{{cite web|title=Florida West Int'l Airways formally shut down|url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/54674-florida-west-intl-airways-formally-shut-down|access-date=July 19, 2020|website=ch-aviation|language=en}}

In January 2021, Atlas Air announced the purchase of an additional four 747-8 freighters from Boeing. They were the final four 747s to be built. These were to be delivered in 2022, when Boeing planned to shut the 747 production program.{{cn|date=January 2024}} On November 17, 2021, Atlas Air and Southern Air completed their merger with the transition to a single operating certificate.{{cite press release | url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/11/17/2336775/34720/en/Atlas-Air-Completes-Operating-Certificate-Merger-with-Southern-Air.html | title=Atlas Air Completes Operating Certificate Merger with Southern Air | date=November 17, 2021 }} On August 4, 2022, Atlas agreed to be bought by an investor group for $3.2 billion.{{cite web |title=Apollo-led group to take Atlas Air private in a deal worth more than $3 billion |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/04/apollo-led-group-to-take-atlas-air-private-in-deal-worth-more-than-3-billion.html |access-date=2022-08-04 |website=CNBC |date=August 4, 2022 |language=en}}

On January 31, 2023, the airline received the 1,574th and final 747 ever made - a 747-8F registered N863GT. As the last 747 to be made by Boeing, the aircraft features a decal of Joe Sutter, the designer of the 747, on the front, right side and the words "forever incredible". Many Boeing employees and executives, including those who were part of the "Incredibles," the people who worked on the first 747 prototype, gathered at Boeing's Everett Plant to bid farewell to the final aircraft.{{Cite web |title=Boeing, Atlas Air Celebrate Delivery of Final 747, an Airplane that Transformed Aviation and Global Air Travel |url=https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2023-01-31-Boeing,-Atlas-Air-Celebrate-Delivery-of-Final-747,-an-Airplane-that-Transformed-Aviation-and-Global-Air-Travel |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=MediaRoom}}

Operations

Atlas Air's headquarters are in White Plains, New York with a flight operations center located in Erlanger, Kentucky. Atlas Air operates flights on an aircraft & CMI and air charter basis for airlines, express operators, freight forwarders, charter brokers, global shippers, and the U.S. military, along with dry-leasing freighter aircraft. Atlas Air has global operations established in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and South America. Crew bases are located at Anchorage–Ted Stevens; Chicago–O'Hare; Cincinnati; Los Angeles; Memphis; Miami; New York–JFK; Ontario, CA; and Tampa.{{cite web |url=http://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/airlines/charter/atlas.html |title=Atlas {{pipe}} Charter |publisher=Airline Pilot Central |date=May 10, 2012 |access-date=May 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522063231/http://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/airlines/charter/atlas.html |archive-date=May 22, 2012 |url-status=dead }}

As of late 2023, Atlas Air operates MSC Air Cargo flights on behalf of the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), although MSC owns the aircraft and they are painted in MSC livery.{{cite web |last=Kulisch |first=Eric |date=20 July 2023 |access-date=9 November 2023 |title=Ocean carrier MSC adds 2nd cargo jet |url=https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ocean-carrier-msc-adds-2nd-cargo-jet |website=FreightWaves.com }}

= Passenger operations =

Atlas Air began operating a premium passenger private-charter service for the U.S.-Africa Energy Association in conjunction with SonAir in 2010. The charter service consisted of two customized Boeing 747-400 aircraft provided by SonAir. The aircraft were configured to serve 189 passengers in a three-class configuration. The charter service, which became known as the "Houston Express", included three dedicated weekly nonstop flights between Houston and Luanda, Angola.{{Citation |title=How This Central African City Became the World's Most Expensive | date=August 23, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f66GfsKPTUg |language=en-GB |access-date=2022-09-02}} As of 2017, Atlas Air was the charter service for the Jacksonville Jaguars.{{cite web | url=https://www.news4jax.com/news/2019/02/26/company-involved-in-deadly-plane-crash-flies-jaguars-players/#:~:text=The%20Jacksonville%20Jaguars%20and%20other%20NFL%20teams%20use,2017%20and%202018%20seasons.%20%27Very%20old%20and%20tired%27 | title=Company involved in deadly plane crash flies Jaguars players | date=February 26, 2019 }} As of 2021, Atlas Air owned a fleet of 10 B747 and B767 passenger aircraft available for lease in the passenger charter market.

Fleet

{{As of|2024|04|df=US}}, Atlas Air operates these aircraft:

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
rowspan="2"\|Aircraft !rowspan="2"\|In service !rowspan="2"\|Orders !colspan="5"\|Passengers !rowspan="2"\|Notes
F !C !Y+ !Y !Total
colspan="9" \|Passenger fleet
rowspan="3"\|Boeing 747-400 \|rowspan="3"\|5 \|rowspan="3"\|— \|10 \|143 \|— \|36 \|189 \|Used for VIP service
12 \|52 \|70 \|240 \|374 \|Used for VIP service
— \|23 \|— \|505 \|528 \|
Boeing 767-300ER \|5 \|— \|— \|30 \|— \|218 \|248 \|
colspan="9" \|Cargo fleet
{{nowrap\|Boeing 737-800BCF}} \|8 \|— \| colspan="5" \|Cargo \|Operated for Amazon Air
Boeing 747-400BCF \|2 \|— \| colspan="5" \|Cargo \|
rowspan="2" \|Boeing 747-400F \|28 \| rowspan="2" \|— \| colspan="5" rowspan="2" \|Cargo \|
5 \|Operated for Nippon Cargo Airlines{{Cite press release \|url=https://www.atlasairworldwide.com/2019/01/atlas-air-worldwide-announces-expanded-747-400f-service-for-nippon-cargo-airlines/ \|title=Atlas Air Worldwide Announces Expanded 747-400F Service For Nippon Cargo Airlines \|website=Atlas Air \|date=January 8, 2019}}
Boeing 747-400LCF \|4 \|— \|colspan="5"\|Cargo \|Operated for Boeing
rowspan="3"\|Boeing 747-8F \|6 \|rowspan="3"\|1 \|colspan="5" rowspan="3" \|Cargo \|Additional 747-8F from AirBridge Cargo to be delivered TBD{{Cn\|date=September 2024}}
1 \|Operated for Kuehne + Nagel{{Cite web \|date=23 November 2022 \|title=Kuehne+Nagel receives its first Boeing 747-8 Freighter "Inspire." from Atlas Air \|url=https://newsroom.kuehne-nagel.com/kuehnenagel-receives-its-first-boeing-747-8-freighter-inspire-from-atlas-air/ \|access-date=23 November 2022 \|website=Kuehne+Nagel Newsroom}}
1 \|Operated for Apex Logistics The final 747 built, N863GT, delivered in February 2023{{Cite press release \|url=https://boeing.mediaroom.com/news-releases-statements?item=130802 \|title=Atlas Air Worldwide Purchases Four Boeing 747–8 Freighters \|website=Boeing \|date=January 12, 2021}}
rowspan="3"\|Boeing 767-300ERF \|3 \|rowspan="3"\|— \|colspan="5" rowspan="3"\|Cargo \|
21 \|Leased out by Titan Aircraft Investments, 17 (as of y.e. 2021) operated by Atlas
2 \|Operated for DHL
rowspan="3"\|Boeing 777F \|4 \|1 \|colspan="5" rowspan="3" \|Cargo \|Operated for Mediterranean Shipping Company Air Cargo{{Cite web \|title=MSC Air Cargo prepares to take off ahead of schedule \|url=https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/msc-air-cargo-prepares-for-december-launch-HKG-MEX/636740/ \|access-date=2022-12-08 \|website=Supply Chain Dive \|language=en-US}}
7 \|— \|Owned by Titan Aircraft Investments, operated by Atlas

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

rowspan="2"|Aircraft

!rowspan="2"|In service

!rowspan="2"|Orders

!colspan="5"|Passengers

!rowspan="2"|Notes

!Y+

!Total

colspan="9" |Passenger fleet

rowspan="3"|Boeing 747-400

|rowspan="3"|5

|rowspan="3"|—

|10

|143

|—

|36

|189

|Used for VIP service

|52

|70

|240

|374

|Used for VIP service

—

|23

|—

|505

|528

Boeing 767-300ER

|—

|30

|—

|218

|248

colspan="9" |Cargo fleet

|—

| colspan="5" |Cargo

|Operated for Amazon Air

Boeing 747-400BCF

|—

| colspan="5" |Cargo

rowspan="2" |Boeing 747-400F

|28

| rowspan="2" |—

| colspan="5" rowspan="2" |Cargo

|Operated for Nippon Cargo Airlines{{Cite press release |url=https://www.atlasairworldwide.com/2019/01/atlas-air-worldwide-announces-expanded-747-400f-service-for-nippon-cargo-airlines/ |title=Atlas Air Worldwide Announces Expanded 747-400F Service For Nippon Cargo Airlines |website=Atlas Air |date=January 8, 2019}}

Boeing 747-400LCF

|—

|colspan="5"|Cargo

|Operated for Boeing

rowspan="3"|Boeing 747-8F

|rowspan="3"|1

|colspan="5" rowspan="3" |Cargo

|Additional 747-8F from AirBridge Cargo to be delivered TBD{{Cn|date=September 2024}}

|Operated for Kuehne + Nagel{{Cite web |date=23 November 2022 |title=Kuehne+Nagel receives its first Boeing 747-8 Freighter "Inspire." from Atlas Air |url=https://newsroom.kuehne-nagel.com/kuehnenagel-receives-its-first-boeing-747-8-freighter-inspire-from-atlas-air/ |access-date=23 November 2022 |website=Kuehne+Nagel Newsroom}}

|Operated for Apex Logistics
The final 747 built, N863GT, delivered in February 2023{{Cite press release |url=https://boeing.mediaroom.com/news-releases-statements?item=130802 |title=Atlas Air Worldwide Purchases Four Boeing 747–8 Freighters |website=Boeing |date=January 12, 2021}}

rowspan="3"|Boeing 767-300ERF

|rowspan="3"|—

|colspan="5" rowspan="3"|Cargo

|Leased out by Titan Aircraft Investments, 17 (as of y.e. 2021) operated by Atlas

|Operated for DHL

rowspan="3"|Boeing 777F

|colspan="5" rowspan="3" |Cargo

|Operated for Mediterranean Shipping Company Air Cargo{{Cite web |title=MSC Air Cargo prepares to take off ahead of schedule |url=https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/msc-air-cargo-prepares-for-december-launch-HKG-MEX/636740/ |access-date=2022-12-08 |website=Supply Chain Dive |language=en-US}}

|—

|Owned by Titan Aircraft Investments, operated by Atlas

Accidents and incidents

January 24, 2005: Atlas Air Flight 8995, a Boeing 747-212BSF, aircraft registration N808MC, overran the runway at Düsseldorf Airport due to poor braking action caused by unexpectedly heavy snow accumulation from an ongoing snowstorm. The aircraft was written off.{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20050124-0|title=ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 747-212BSF N808MC Düsseldorf Airport (DUS)|last=Ranter|first=Harro|website=aviation-safety.net|access-date=May 10, 2021}}
July 23, 2006: Atlas Air Flight 6972: a Boeing 747-47UF, N418MC, involved in a runway incursion with United Airlines Flight 1015, a Boeing 737-322.{{Cite web |title=Serious incident Boeing 737-322 N315UA, Sunday 23 July 2006 |url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/370284 |access-date=2024-08-06 |website=asn.flightsafety.org}}
February 2, 2008: Cargo aboard an Atlas Air Boeing 747-2D7B, N527MC, broke loose on takeoff from Lome Airport and penetrated the bulkhead, causing severe structural damage. The aircraft was written off.{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20080202-0|title=ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 747-2D7B N527MC Lome Airport (LFW)|last=Ranter|first=Harro|website=aviation-safety.net|access-date=May 10, 2021}}
February 2010: The cover of part of the flaps on an Atlas Air Boeing 747 detached from the aircraft during landing in Miami, Florida. On May 17, 2010, a similar incident occurred when part of the inboard flaps on the right wing of an Atlas 747 separated from the aircraft. In May, alleging improper maintenance practices, the US Federal Aviation Administration proposed a fine of roughly {{Currency|500000|US}} against the airline.{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/05/19/342191/miami-flight-signals-more-mechanical-issues-for-atlas.html|title=Miami flight signals more mechanical issues for Atlas Air|publisher=Flightglobal.com|date=May 19, 2010|access-date=May 19, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100523101614/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/05/19/342191/miami-flight-signals-more-mechanical-issues-for-atlas.html| archive-date= May 23, 2010 | url-status= live}}
February 23, 2019: Atlas Air Flight 3591, a Boeing 767-375ER(BCF), N1217A, crashed into Trinity Bay near Houston on approach to George Bush Intercontinental Airport, killing both pilots and the single passenger, a commuting pilot from another airline. The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) attributed the crash to pilot error and spatial disorientation; the NTSB also found that both pilots had experienced significant training difficulties and criticized Atlas Air's hiring practices.{{cite web|date=July 14, 2020|title=Rapid Descent and Crash into Water, Atlas Air Inc. Flight 3591, Boeing 767-375BCF, N1217A, Trinity Bay, Texas, February 23, 2019|url=https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR2002.pdf|access-date=August 6, 2020|publisher=National Transportation Safety Board|id=NTSB/AAR-20/02}}