Air T
Air T is a diversified American holding company operating 20 businesses across five aviation segments — FedEx overnight air cargo, commercial aircraft and engine parts trading, ground support equipment manufacturing, Australia's Regional Express airline, and digital aviation subscriptions — with ~$3.6B in assets under management.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1980
- HeadquartersMinneapolis, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Air T does
Air T, Inc. is a diversified American holding company operating a networked portfolio of twenty independent yet interrelated businesses across five aviation-related segments: overnight air cargo (Mountain Air Cargo and CSA Air operating under FedEx feeder contracts since 1980); commercial aircraft, engines, and parts (Contrail Aviation Support, JetYard, AirCo, and Worthington Aviation, specializing in CFM56-3/-5/-7 and V2500A5 components for Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 families); aviation ground support equipment (Global Ground Support — the world's largest manufacturer of aircraft de-icing equipment and sole-source supplier to the U.S. Air Force since 1999); regional airline (Regional Express Holdings in Australia, acquired December 2025, operating the world's largest Saab 340 fleet); and digital solutions (WorldACD and Ambry Hill Technology providing subscription-based aviation data and business services). The company was established in 1980 in Minneapolis, North Carolina and now maintains corporate offices in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Charlotte, North Carolina alongside international offices supporting Crestone Air Partners in Denver, Amsterdam, Dublin, Singapore, and Buenos Aires.
Air T generates revenue through a mix of long-term service contracts (FedEx feeder operations at Mountain Air Cargo and CSA Air), capital equipment sales (aircraft de-icing and ground support hardware from GGS), transaction-based surplus and aftermarket parts trading plus aircraft and engine leasing (Contrail group), passenger and cargo fares (Rex), and recurring software subscriptions (digital solutions segment). The Crestone Air Partners platform — majority-owned following the June 2026 Arena Aviation Capital combination — manages approximately $3.6 billion in aviation assets under management with 124 aircraft and 17 engines on lease, targeting 10%+ returns after fees for capital partners. The go-to-market model is exclusively B2B enterprise sales through direct relationships with major airlines, airports, government/military customers, and aircraft operators and lessors; there is no consumer-facing pricing or SMB channel.
The holding-company strategy emphasizes capital allocation and investor-operator partnerships, with Air T deploying institutional capital across portfolio companies for growth activation. Capital activity has accelerated materially through 2025-2026: a $4 million private placement of trust preferred securities (November 2023); a $100 million expansion of the AAM 24-1 senior secured note facility with institutional investors (June 2025, maturing 2035); an AUD $50 million credit facility funding the Rex acquisition (December 2025); and an $80 million Blue Owl Capital investment in Crestone Air Partners (June 2026) reducing Air T's stake in Crestone to approximately 83.9%. An active at-the-market facility for Alpha Income Preferred Securities (AIRTP, 10.9% annualized yield) provides additional funding flexibility, while the company operates under SEC "baby shelf" provisions reflecting a public float below $75 million.
Air T firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Air T
- Legal name
- Air T, Inc.
- Website
- https://airt.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1980
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Air T is a diversified American holding company operating 20 businesses across five aviation segments — FedEx overnight air cargo, commercial aircraft and engine parts trading, ground support equipment manufacturing, Australia's Regional Express airline, and digital aviation subscriptions — with ~$3.6B in assets under management.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Air T industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Diversified Aviation Holding Services
- NAICS
- Scheduled Air Transportation (48111), Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation (481219), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)
- SIC
- Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522), Services-Miscellaneous Equipment Rental & Leasing (7350), Aircraft Engines & Engine Parts (3724)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Integrated Air Express Carriers (Air + Ground) (TLADAAAC)
Keywords
Where Air T is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Minneapolis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices8 records
Markets served
Air T business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Overnight Air Cargo: Air express delivery services primarily for FedEx, including aircraft maintenance and repair. Revenue generated from flight operations, maintenance services, and administrative fees passed through from FedEx.
- Commercial Aircraft, Engines and Parts: Leasing commercial jet engines and aircraft; buying, selling and trading surplus and aftermarket commercial jet engines, engine parts, airframes, airframe parts, avionics, and providing logistics services. Revenue from component sales and lease income.
- Ground Support Equipment: Manufacturing and selling mobile deicers and specialized ground-support equipment. Revenue from equipment sales, spare parts, and support services to airlines, airports, military, and industrial customers.
- Regional Airline: Regional passenger and cargo airline operations in Australia serving regional and remote communities. Revenue from passenger fares and cargo services.
- Digital Solutions: Digital aviation and business services generating recurring subscription revenues from software customers in the aviation industry.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | B2B contract-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Air T product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Air T is a diversified holding company operating 20 companies across 5 segments: overnight air cargo services (primarily for FedEx), commercial aircraft and engine leasing/trading and surplus aftermarket parts, aviation ground support equipment manufacturing (notably de-icing equipment), regional passenger and cargo airline services in Australia, and digital aviation software and data subscriptions. The portfolio generates revenue through long-term B2B contracts, equipment sales, aircraft and engine leasing, and recurring software subscriptions.
Product overview
Air T is a diversified holding company with a portfolio of 20 independent yet interrelated companies organized across 5 core business segments. The overnight air cargo segment operates through Mountain Air Cargo and CSA Air, providing air express delivery services primarily for FedEx with aircraft maintenance capabilities. The commercial aircraft, engines and parts segment (including Contrail Aviation Support, JetYard, AirCo, and Worthington Aviation) provides commercial aircraft trading, leasing, and surplus/aftermarket parts solutions. The aviation ground support equipment segment operates Global Ground Support (GGS), a world-leading manufacturer of aircraft de-icing equipment. The regional airline segment comprises Regional Express Airlines (Rex) in Australia along with pilot training and propeller maintenance operations. The digital solutions segment includes WorldACD and Ambry Hill Technology, providing digital aviation and business services generating recurring subscription revenues. Crestone Air Partners serves as the global aviation asset management platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Crestone Air Partners: Global aviation asset management platform focused on trading, leasing, and managing commercial aviation assets. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado with offices in Amsterdam and Dublin.
- Mountain Air Cargo
- Contrail Aviation Support
- Global Ground Support
- Regional Express (Rex)
- Alpha Income Preferred Securities
- Runway Aero Advisors
Quantifiable outcome
- 42.27% CAGR revenue growth at Contrail from FY2017 through FY2024
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Air T
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Air T technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Air T partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- Arena Aviation CapitalmajorCrestone Air Partners (majority-owned by Air T) acquired Arena Aviation Capital, a diversified aviation asset manager. Combined platform has ~$3.6B AUM, 124 aircraft and 17 engines on lease, 55+ employees across 5 countries. Creates leading full-service aviation asset management platform.
- Royal Aircraft Services (Acquired)coreMountain Air Cargo (wholly-owned subsidiary) acquired Royal Aircraft Services in Hagerstown, MD. Strengthens MAC's MRO capabilities with specialized maintenance, repair, overhaul, and FAA-certified aircraft painting services.
- Phil SeymourminorPhil Seymour appointed as Strategic Advisor, based in London. Director and Shareholder at IBA Group with nearly 28 years aviation industry experience. Supports Air T's growth and business development strategy while expanding European presence.
- Steve Welo / Runway Aero AdvisorscoreAir T launched Runway Aero Advisors LLC led by Steve Welo to advise companies raising debt and equity capital. Welo also continues to help Air T raise capital for existing businesses including Crestone Air Partners.
- Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLPminorLegal counsel for Crestone Air Partners acquisition of Arena Aviation Capital.
- Kroll, LLCminorFinancial advisor for Crestone Air Partners acquisition of Arena Aviation Capital.
- PwCminorTax advisor for Crestone Air Partners acquisition of Arena Aviation Capital.
Scale indicators26 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Air T competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Air Transport Services Group: ATSG (NASDAQ: ATSG) operates contracted air cargo services for express carriers (including Amazon and DHL) and aircraft leasing through Cargo Aircraft Management. Directly comparable to Air T's FedEx feeder operations and Contrail aircraft leasing business model.
- Atlas Air Worldwide: Atlas Air provides outsourced aircraft and aviation operating services to airlines, express delivery companies, and freight forwarders. Closely comparable to Air T's overnight air cargo segment and aircraft leasing activities through Crestone Air Partners.
- Willis Lease Finance: Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ: WLFC) leases commercial aircraft engines and manages a portfolio of jet engines across multiple platforms. Directly comparable to Contrail Aviation Support's engine parts and leasing business within Air T's portfolio.
- SkyWest: SkyWest (NASDAQ: SKYW) operates regional passenger airline services under partnerships with major U.S. carriers. Directly comparable to Air T's Regional Express Airlines (Rex) segment, which operates regional passenger services in Australia.
- Mesa Air Group: Mesa Air Group (NASDAQ: MESA) operates regional passenger airline services for major U.S. carriers. Directly comparable to Air T's Regional Express Airlines segment and the broader regional airline operating model.
- Avia Solutions Group: Avia Solutions Group is a global aviation services holding company with MRO, pilot training, ground handling, and aircraft leasing businesses. Closely comparable to Air T's diversified holding company structure spanning multiple aviation industry segments.
- Menzies Aviation: Menzies Aviation provides aviation services including ground handling, cargo, and fueling at airports worldwide. Comparable to Air T's ground support equipment manufacturing and aviation services businesses serving commercial airlines and airports.
Broad incumbents
- AerCap: AerCap (NYSE: AER) is the world's largest aircraft leasing company with a fleet of over 3,500 aircraft. As a broad incumbent in aviation asset management, it provides scale context for Air T's emerging Crestone Air Partners platform.
- GATX: GATX (NYSE: GATX) is a leading specialist in railcar and aircraft engine leasing with a diversified equipment leasing model. Provides comparable context for Crestone Air Partners' aircraft leasing and asset management activities.
- Signature Aviation: Signature Aviation operates the world's largest Fixed-Base Operator (FBO) network providing ground support, fueling, and aviation services at airports. Comparable to Air T's Global Ground Support segment for aviation ground support equipment manufacturing and services.
Market position
Strengths1 record
Weaknesses6 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Air T social profiles
Digital presenceAir T financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Air T leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Air T subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries18 records
Air T funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Air T M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Air T
What does Air T do?
Air T is a diversified holding company operating 20 companies across 5 segments: overnight air cargo services (primarily for FedEx), commercial aircraft and engine leasing/trading and surplus aftermarket parts, aviation ground support equipment manufacturing (notably de-icing equipment), regional passenger and cargo airline services in Australia, and digital aviation software and data subscriptions. The portfolio generates revenue through long-term B2B contracts, equipment sales, aircraft and engine leasing, and recurring software subscriptions.
Is Air T a public or private company?
Air T is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Air T founded?
Air T was founded in 1980. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Air T based?
Air T is headquartered in Minneapolis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Air T make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Overnight Air Cargo is the primary driver. The others are commercial Aircraft, Engines and Parts, ground Support Equipment, regional Airline and digital Solutions.
Who are Air T's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Air Transport Services Group, Atlas Air Worldwide, Willis Lease Finance, SkyWest, Mesa Air Group, Avia Solutions Group and Menzies Aviation. Broad incumbents are AerCap, GATX and Signature Aviation.
Does Air T have an API?
No public API is recorded for Air T.
What industry is Air T in?
Air T's product category is Diversified Aviation Holding Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLADAAAC, Integrated Air Express Carriers (Air + Ground). Its NAICS code is 48111 and its SIC code is 4522.