In the early 1990s, freight hauling was largely an afterthought in the passenger airline industry. Our founder, Michael Chowdry saw an opportunity in the air cargo sector and founded Atlas Air, which began by leasing freighter aircraft to other airlines on an Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI) contract basis. Operations began with one aircraft, a Boeing 747-200. By the end of 2000, the Atlas fleet had grown to a total of 36 aircraft.
In February 2001, Atlas Air Worldwide formed its current holding company structure with Atlas Air as a wholly owned subsidiary. Other subsidiaries include:
For the past several years, Atlas was voted “Leasing Provider of the Year” in an industry survey by the Payload Asia magazine. The survey added Atlas as “Charter Operator of the Year” as well. In May 2016, we announced a strategic, long-term relationship with Amazon to provide and operate 20 Boeing 767-300 converted freighters in support of the continuing expansion of Amazon’s e-commerce business and the enhancement of its customer delivery capabilities.
Today, Atlas Air Worldwide is the leading global provider of outsourced aircraft and aviation operating services. We are proud to be the world’s largest operator of Boeing 747 freighter aircraft and the only outsource provider of Boeing’s 747-8F. We are also proud to provide customers the broadest array of 747, 777, 767, 757 and 737 freighter and passenger aircraft for domestic, regional and international ACMI, CMI, charter and dry lease applications.
Thank you to our valued customers and partners who selected us for Payload Asia’s Customer and Industry Choice Awards:
