AIT Worldwide Logistics partners with Kalitta Air

Freight forwarder AIT Worldwide Logistics has entered into a Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) partnership with US-based cargo airline Kalitta Air to strengthen US and global supply chains.

The strategic alliance continues AIT’s longstanding designation as a CRAF-sponsored freight forwarder, enabling the company to continue critical supply chain support for US Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) missions, while also increasing access to global routes, capacity, and charters for customers.

“For more than 10 years, we’ve been proud and always at the ready to support USTRANSCOM through the CRAF programme,” said AIT’s chief business officer, Greg Weigel.

“As AIT continues to grow our global footprint and scope, securing a CRAF partnership with an airline that has similar global reach, with some of the world’s largest cargo aircraft made perfect sense to our team—and that’s Kalitta.”

Kalitta operates B747-400 and B777 freighters for long-range international charters and scheduled services.

Its fleet also includes B737Fs as well as smaller jet and turboprop aircraft serving the North American market with support for time-critical charter, life sciences and aircraft on ground missions.

“We’re excited to enter into a new phase of collaboration with AIT,” said vice president cargo marketing for Kalitta Air, Lynn Stauffer. “They’ve been a trusted partner for a long time, and we look forward to working together to support USTRANSCOM for years to come.”

Weigel added that Kalitta has been an AIT core carrier for decades, especially vital for the company’s government and aerospace business.

The airline is also one of AIT’s top three carriers since the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to Weigel, the airline has already worked with AIT on hundreds of international charter projects.

Established in 1951, CRAF is a readiness programme used to provide a significant portion of the US’s air mobility resources when the Department of Defense (DOD) airlift exceeds the capability of military aircraft.

Air carriers volunteer their aircraft to the CRAF program through contractual agreements with the air mobility command and, in return, participating companies are given preference in carrying commercial peacetime cargo and passenger traffic for DOD.