Air Transport International, usually abbreviated ATI, is a United States cargo airline and passenger charter operator headquartered in Wilmington, Ohio. Its operation combines Boeing 767 freighters with Boeing 757 combi aircraft that carry passengers and main-deck cargo on the same flight.[1][2]
Development
ATI traces its history to an airline founded as US Airways in 1978. It became Interstate Airlines and received Part 121 certification in 1980, began international flying in 1984 and adopted the Air Transport International name in 1988. The company was among the airlines activated to support Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990.[3]
A merger with International Charter Xpress followed in 1994. Cargo Holdings International acquired ATI in 2006, before that business passed to ABX Holdings in 2007. In 2013 ATI completed its merger with Capital Cargo International Airlines and moved to Wilmington. These changes placed it alongside other contract airlines in the group now known as Air Transport Services Group.[3]
Freighters and combis
The first Boeing 767 joined ATI in 2008. The airline publishes load plans for both 767-200 and 767-300 freighters, with different main-deck pallet arrangements and lower-hold configurations. The longer aircraft supplies more cargo volume, while both remain dedicated freight aircraft without a revenue passenger cabin.[3][2]
ATI replaced its DC-8 combi fleet with Boeing 757 combis in 2013. Its published 757 configuration accommodates 42 coach passengers and main-deck pallet positions ahead of the passenger compartment. This allows a charter customer to move personnel and equipment together. Published loading arrangements differ with pallet dimensions; the presence of cargo space does not mean every pallet arrangement can be used simultaneously.[3][2]
Operating role
In 2016 ATI became the first ATSG airline to fly in the Prime Air network at Wilmington. Its freighter work and combi charter work use different cabin configurations and customer requirements, even though both sit within the same airline. The company publishes aircraft-specific loading information so that shippers can plan against the aircraft assigned to their flight.[3][2]