What Kalitta Charters does

Kalitta Charters, founded in 2001 by Doug Kalitta and headquartered at 2820 Tyler Road in Ypsilanti, Michigan, operates as an FAA Part 135 air carrier (passenger and cargo) and, through Kalitta Charters II, an FAA Part 121 Supplemental Air Carrier using Boeing 737 cargo aircraft. It belongs to Doug Kalitta Holdings, a family of five aviation companies that also includes Kalitta Turbines, DK Turbines, Kalitta Accessories (FAR Part 145 repair station, Accessory Class 1/2/3 ratings, certificate CKS2049A), and AirNet II (Part 135/145 time-critical logistics, Columbus, Ohio). The combined fleet spans LearJet 35/36/45, Falcon 20, Challenger 601, and Boeing 737 aircraft, with supporting maintenance operations in Ypsilanti and Hollister, California. Service lines include on-demand and scheduled cargo charter, private passenger charter, broker-served passenger and cargo, long-term dedicated aircraft contracts, air ambulance/MedFlight, organ procurement transport, radiopharmaceuticals and life sciences, oversized cargo, large animal transport, humanitarian and philanthropic transport, and government affairs work spanning DoD air ambulance, dignified transfers from Dover Air Force Base, and federal passenger/cargo transport under GSA Contract GS-33F-0028W (used by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, DHS, and DOJ).

The business generates revenue through multiple streams: transactional on-demand charter fees, subscription-style long-term passenger charter and scheduled air freight contracts, federal contract revenue, and professional services revenue from FAR Part 145 aircraft accessory repair and overhaul. Distribution is sales-led and relationship-driven, with dedicated sales addresses per service line (135sales, 121sales, govsales), a 24/7 dispatch operation, broker channels for both cargo and passenger, medical partner networks for air ambulance, and direct government procurement. Pricing is quote-based for charter and not publicly disclosed; pilot compensation is published and tiered by aircraft type. The company differentiates on regulatory exclusivity (DOT SP-15227, Transport Canada SA 8818, Category 1 explosives, HAZMAT), safety reputation (ARGUS Platinum, top 5% of U.S. charter operators), and specialized mission equipment such as the proprietary casket-lift system used for Dover AFB dignified transfers and dedicated organ-storage aircraft configurations.

Name

Kalitta Charters

Legal name

Kalitta Charters

Website

https://kalittacharters.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Kalitta Charters is a Ypsilanti, Michigan-based FAA Part 135 and Part 121 air charter operator founded in 2001, providing passenger charter, cargo, air ambulance, organ transport, radiopharmaceutical logistics, and government services via 60+ wholly-owned aircraft under Doug Kalitta Holdings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Air Charter and Logistics Services

NAICS

Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation (481219), Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation (481211), Nonscheduled Air Transportation (4812)

SIC

Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Business Jet Charter (On-Demand) (THABAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Aircraft Management & Part 135/135-equivalent Operators (THABAFAD), Air Cargo Charter Specialists (On-Demand) (TLADAAAE), Government, Diplomatic & Military Passenger Charter Operators (THABADAG), Private Jet Charter (Midsize/Super-Midsize/Heavy Jet) (TLAFABAB)

Keywords

• Air charter services
• Cargo charter transportation
• Air ambulance medflight
• Organ procurement transport
• Radiopharmaceutical air shipping

Headquarters

HQ city

Ypsilanti

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. On-Demand Air Charter: Flexible, responsive charter services available 24/7 for urgent and time-sensitive cargo and passenger transport. Covers medical charters (air ambulance, organ transport), radiopharmaceuticals, automotive parts, animals, and oversized cargo.
2. Long-Term Passenger Charter Contracts: Dedicated aircraft contracts providing point-to-point travel across the U.S. with guaranteed availability. Designed for businesses with frequent travel needs requiring consistent, reliable air transportation.
3. Scheduled Air Freight: Regularly scheduled freight services for clients needing ongoing capacity support beyond their current logistics capabilities. Provides customized air freight solutions aligned with client business needs.
4. Government Contracts: Contracts with U.S. government agencies including DoD air ambulance BPA, dignified transfer services from Dover AFB, GSA contract GS-33F-0028W for passenger/cargo transport for Federal Bureau of Prisons, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Justice.
5. Aircraft Accessories Sales & Repair (FAR Part 145): Sales and repair of aircraft accessories including wheels, brakes, batteries, emergency power supplies, starter generators, and related components. Services available for Dassault-Falcon jets and LearJet 24/25/35/36 series aircraft.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Kalitta Charters is an FAA Part 135 certified air carrier operating an owned fleet of LearJet, Falcon, Challenger, and Boeing 737 aircraft to provide 24/7 on-demand and scheduled passenger and cargo charter services, including air ambulance, organ procurement, radiopharmaceutical and life sciences transport, oversized cargo, animal transport, and government mission support (including dignified transfers from Dover AFB). It is part of Doug Kalitta Holdings along with Kalitta Charters II (Part 121 cargo), Kalitta Turbines, DK Turbines, and AirNet II, with in-house FAR Part 145 engine and accessory maintenance.

Product overview

Kalitta Charters operates a multi-brand aviation services portfolio under Doug Kalitta Holdings. The core offerings include Kalitta Charters (FAA Part 135) providing passenger and cargo charter via LearJet, Falcon, and Challenger aircraft; Kalitta Charters II (FAA Part 121) operating Boeing 737 cargo aircraft; and sister companies Kalitta Turbines and DK Turbines (FAA Part 145 repair stations) for engine and accessory maintenance. Services span air ambulance/medflight, organ procurement, radiopharmaceutical transport, large animal transport, private passenger charter, cargo charter (on-demand, scheduled, oversized), and government contracts. The portfolio is supported by FAR Part 145-certified maintenance operations at Kalitta Accessories.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kalitta Charters (FAA Part 135 Air Carrier) FAA Part 135 air carrier operating LearJet, Falcon, and Challenger aircraft to provide 24/7 passenger and cargo charter services, including air ambulance, organ procurement, radiopharmaceutical transport, and on-demand charter, primarily for government, healthcare, automotive, and private passenger clients.
• Kalitta Charters II (FAA Part 121 Supplemental Air Carrier) FAA Part 121 supplemental air carrier operating Boeing 737 aircraft for on-demand and scheduled cargo charter services with rapid response capabilities; added to the Doug Kalitta Holdings family in 2003.
• Air Ambulance / MedFlight Services Medical air transport services for patients requiring urgent care, equipped with advanced medical facilities and experienced medical personnel, for domestic and international transport. Delivered in collaboration with medical communications partners who coordinate logistics and clinical teams.
• Organ Procurement Transport Specialized organ transportation services using aircraft configured with dedicated organ storage locations, temperature control, and stable environmental conditions to keep organs viable during transit between hospitals and transplant facilities.
• Radiopharmaceuticals and Life Sciences Transport Time-sensitive transport of radiopharmaceuticals, clinical trial materials, gene and cellular therapy products, and immunotherapy materials under DOT Special Permit SP-15227, Transport Canada Permit SA 8818, and GDP compliance for U.S.-Canada cross-border shipments.
• Large Animal Transport Specialized air transport for equine, birds, exotic, and zoo animals and livestock using purpose-equipped aircraft and handling procedures intended to ensure safe and humane transit as an alternative to road or sea transport.
• Private Passenger Charter On-demand private charter flights with experienced pilots, 24/7 support, and flexible scheduling for business, leisure, or special occasions, provided for individual travelers and private clients.
• Broker Passenger Charter Services Private passenger charter capacity offered to passenger brokers for resale to their clients throughout North America with 24/7 availability and discreet professional service.
• Long-Term Passenger Charter Contracts Recurring dedicated aircraft contracts providing 100% dedicated aircraft for point-to-point travel across the U.S., designed for businesses and frequent travelers requiring guaranteed availability.
• Automotive Parts Air Charter Air transport services for automotive manufacturers and suppliers providing urgent delivery of parts and components with flexible scheduling and global reach to prevent costly assembly-line shutdowns.
• Cargo Broker Services Cargo charter capacity offered to freight brokers for resale, including scheduled cargo, ad hoc charters, and support for medical, pharmaceutical, oversized, and high-value cargo.
• On-Demand Cargo Charter Rapid-response cargo charter services for urgent time-sensitive shipments including organs, radiopharmaceuticals, automotive parts, animals, and oversized cargo, available 24/7 with two-hour response capability.
• Scheduled Air Freight Recurring, regularly scheduled air freight services that provide ongoing capacity beyond customers' existing logistics capabilities, with customized air freight solutions aligned to client business needs.
• Oversized Cargo Transport Specialized air transport for heavy and oversized cargo such as industrial machinery, construction materials, and large equipment using aircraft designed for large cargo loads.
• Humanitarian and Philanthropic Transport Swift air transport for disaster relief and humanitarian efforts, delivering essential supplies, medical aid, and resources to affected areas worldwide for NGOs and relief agencies.
• Government Affairs and Contracts Government transport services including dignified transfers of fallen service members from Dover Air Force Base using a proprietary casket-lift system, DoD air ambulance services, and passenger/cargo transport for federal agencies under GSA Contract GS-33F-0028W.
• Kalitta Turbines (FAR Part 145 Engine Repair Station) FAA Part 145 certified engine repair station providing maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for Honeywell TFE731, CF34, and CF700 engines used in corporate aviation fleets.
• DK Turbines (FAR Part 145 Repair Station and Parts) FAA Part 145 repair station and parts supplier providing engine support, parts inventory, and related services for Learjet, Falcon, King Air, and Citation aircraft.
• Kalitta Accessories (FAR Part 145 Accessory Repair Station) FAR Part 145 certified accessory repair station with Accessory Class 1, 2, and 3 ratings, plus Limited Airframe service, specializing in the repair and overhaul of wheels, brakes, batteries, emergency power supplies, starter generators, and related components for Dassault-Falcon jets and LearJet 24/25/35/36 series aircraft.

Quantifiable outcome

• Top 5% safety rating — ARGUS Platinum
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kalitta TurbinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company under Doug Kalitta Holdings providing high-quality and cost-effective engine maintenance for corporate aviation fleets. Specializes in TFE731, CF34, and CF700 engines since 1986. Located at 2850 Tyler Road, Ypsilanti, MI. Supports Kalitta Charters' fleet with in-house engine maintenance reducing downtime and costs.
• DK TurbinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company under Doug Kalitta Holdings providing quality, cost-effective support for corporate aviation fleets since 1983. Located at 210 Skylane Drive, Hollister, CA. Maintains extensive inventory of parts and engines available for sale or lease, supporting Kalitta Charters and Kalitta Turbines operations.
• AirNet IIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company under Doug Kalitta Holdings — a Part 135 airline and Part 145 repair station based in Columbus, Ohio. Provides specialized logistics and time-critical delivery services including radiopharmaceuticals, medical specimens, high-value documents, and secure cargo. Complements Kalitta Charters' service offerings.
• Kalitta AirminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company under Doug Kalitta Holdings, part of the Kalitta Strong network of aviation companies. Provides additional air transport capacity and capabilities within the integrated family of companies.
• Kalitta MotorsportsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company under Doug Kalitta Holdings connected to NHRA Top Fuel racing team led by Doug Kalitta. Part of the broader Kalitta Strong brand and Doug Kalitta Holdings family.
• Air Ambulance Medical PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStrategic alliance for air ambulance services where partners provide medical expertise and manage the communications center for medical transport requests. Kalitta Charters provides operational control, fleet, and logistical coordination. Combined expertise ensures highest standards of patient care during air medical transport.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Flexjet: Fractional ownership and jet card provider operating Embraer Phenom, Praetor, Citation, and Challenger fleets. Comparable to Kalitta's long-term passenger charter and broker-passenger offerings, with similar mid-size/super-mid jet positioning and U.S. enterprise customer mix.
• Wheels Up Experience: Private aviation membership and charter company operating a large fleet of business jets (including Challenger 350s, Citation Excel/XLS, Phenom 300) for on-demand passenger charter across the U.S. Direct competitor to Kalitta's private passenger charter and broker-served segments, with similar enterprise and executive customer base.
• PlaneSense: Fractional ownership and charter operator running a Pilatus PC-12 and PC-24 fleet focused on East Coast and U.S. regional missions. Comparable to Kalitta's on-demand passenger charter and long-term contracts business, with similar enterprise/government exposure.
• Amerijet International: U.S.-based cargo airline operating scheduled and on-demand charter services across the Americas with a fleet of Boeing 727s and 767s. Directly comparable to Kalitta Charters II on Boeing 737 cargo charter for time-sensitive, regional freight forwarding customers.
• Air Charter Service: Global charter broker arranging passenger, cargo, and group charters across 30+ offices. Comparable to Kalitta's broker channel for both cargo and passenger charters; competes for the same end customers via different go-to-market.

Broad incumbents

• NetJets (Berkshire Hathaway): World's largest fractional jet ownership and charter operator with 750+ aircraft globally, owned by Berkshire Hathaway. Overlaps with Kalitta in long-term dedicated aircraft contracts, government/executive travel, and on-demand charter, though at materially larger scale and broader international reach.
• VistaJet: Global business aviation company with 270+ Bombardier aircraft marketed under a single fleet livery. Competes with Kalitta on long-term contracts and on-demand charter for enterprise and government customers, with materially larger global positioning capability.
• Atlas Air: Major cargo airline operating 747 and 767 freighters under ACMI/wet-lease for global integrators and government customers. Comparable to Kalitta Charters II's Boeing 737 cargo charter capability at a meaningfully larger and global scale.

Emerging players

• JetSuite (JSX): Semi-private and charter operator using Embraer 135/145 aircraft for short-haul scheduled and on-demand service in the western U.S. Overlaps with Kalitta's Part 135 charter niche but targets a different price-sensitive customer segment with public-deal pricing.
• Tradewind Aviation: Operator of Pilatus PC-12 and Citation Jet fleet offering scheduled and on-demand charter in the Northeast U.S. and Caribbean. Comparable to Kalitta's smaller-end on-demand passenger charter footprint, with similar broker-served go-to-market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/kalitta.charters

Compliance13 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kalitta Charters