About ATI

ATI is a US passenger and cargo airline headquartered in Wilmington, Ohio. ATI holds an FAA Part 121 Air Carrier Certificate and numerous charter and scheduled passenger and cargo certificates issued by the US DOT for worldwide and domestic operations. ATI also holds Air Operator Certificates issued by many foreign countries, reflecting ATI’s global operational presence. ATI is a subsidiary of Air Transport Services Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATSG), a leading provider of passenger and cargo transportation and related services to air carriers and other enterprises that outsource their airlift requirements.

Our Mission

The Mission of Air Transport International is:

To provide safe, cost effective and reliable transportation of passengers and goods;
To achieve and sustain long-term return on investment;
To provide exceptional service to our customers.

Our History

ATI is resilient. Through mergers, acquisitions, moves and name changes, ATI has remained a successful operator in the air cargo industry for more than three decades.

1980s

The airline was founded in 1978 as US Airways. In January 1980 the airline (renamed Interstate Airlines) became an FAR Part 121 certificated all-cargo airline flying CONVAIR 580s. Its fleet quickly expanded to include Lockheed L-188 Electra, Boeing 727, and McDonnell-Douglas DC8 aircraft. The airline flew freight domestically for Purolator, Emery, and ad hoc charters. In 1984 the airline began flying internationally. It moved its headquarters from Michigan to Arkansas. In 1988 the airline adopted its current name.
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1990s/2000s

Through the 1990s and 2000s ATI hauled freight for the Military Airlift Command (Air Mobility Command), UPS, Emery Air Freight, Burlington Air Express, DHL, and Zantop International Airlines. The airline had over 500 employees and operated 32 DC8s. As a long-term member of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF), ATI was among the airlines activated in 1990 to support Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield and received several commendations for its performance.

In October 1994, ICX International Cargo Express was merged with ATI. The airline was purchased by BAX Global, an operating unit of the Brink’s Company, in February 1998.

In 2006, ATI was sold to Cargo Holdings International, Inc. (CHI), which was itself acquired by ABX Holdings, Inc. the following year. In 2008, parent company ABX Holdings was renamed Air Transport Services Group, Inc. (ATSG). ATI added its first Boeing 767 in 2008.

Our Management

Jim O'Grady

President

Jim O’Grady joined Air Transport International in September of 2014 as Chief Operating Officer, becoming President in January of 2016. He brings over thirty years of aviation experience, knowledge, and leadership to the position. Prior to joining ATI, he was Managing Director of Global Flight Source. Other titles O’Grady has held with Air Transport Services Group (ATSG) companies include Senior Director of System Control, Senior Director of Flight Control, Senior Director of Linehaul Operations, and other leadership positions in airline operations, aircrew training and network operations/planning. O’Grady holds FAA licenses as Aircraft Dispatcher and Commercial Pilot with single-engine, multi-engine, and instrument ratings. He holds a master’s degree in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
John Vestal

Vice President, Flight Operations

John Vestal has over twenty years of airline experience, with strong leadership in flight administration and operations, labor relations, crew scheduling and dispatch, flight standards, and flight training. Prior to his current position with Air Transport International, John served as the Vice President of Flight Operations at Capital Cargo International Airlines. Vestal’s other past roles have included System Chief Pilot, B767 Chief Pilot/Training Captain, DC9 Chief Pilot/Training Captain, and Line Captain. He has over 12,000 hours of domestic and international flying.
Michael P. Holt

Vice President, Sales and Marketing

Michael Holt joined ATI in July 1995 as a Flight Dispatcher. He has held several management positions including Manager of Aircraft Ground Services, Sales Manager, and Director of Sales before being promoted to his current position as Vice President, Sales & Marketing in 2007. Holt graduated Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR with a bachelor’s degree in aviation with a minor in business administration. He holds an FAA Aircraft Dispatcher license and Commercial Pilot license with single and multi-engine instrument ratings.
Brian DuFour

Vice President, Technical Operations

Brian Dufour brings over 30 years of aircraft maintenance and leadership experience to the company. After 20 years of active duty in the US Air Force, he joined ATI as a Flight Mechanic, and has served in progressive roles of increasing responsibility including Regional Manager, Senior Manager of Maintenance, Director of Maintenance, and Senior Director of Technical Operations before being appointed to his current position of Vice President of Technical Operations. Dufour holds an associates degree in business administration.