Priority Air Charter
Priority Air Charter is a privately-held U.S. on-demand air cargo charter operator founded in 1997 in Apple Creek, Ohio. Its four-turboprop fleet (Cessna Caravans and Pilatus PC-12s) serves commercial cargo shippers and faith-based mission organizations with 24/7 dispatch across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersApple Creek, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Priority Air Charter does
Priority Air Charter (PAC) is a privately-held U.S. on-demand air cargo charter operator founded in 1997 and headquartered at Stoltzfus Airfield (OH22), a private 3,450-foot paved-runway field in Apple Creek, Ohio. The company operates a four-aircraft turboprop fleet consisting of two Cessna 208B Grand Caravans (184 MPH, up to 3,200 lb payload, 451 cubic feet cargo capacity) and two Pilatus PC-12 pressurized aircraft (300 MPH, up to 2,500 lb payload, capable of 1,900-mile non-stop missions at reduced payload). PAC serves two primary customer segments: commercial cargo shippers needing time-sensitive point-to-point freight (primary) and faith-based mission/humanitarian organizations transporting personnel, supplies, and medical aid to remote locations (secondary). Operations are 24/7 with a 45-minute dispatch SLA, a stated 99.9% aircraft dispatch reliability, and reach extending across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico from most local airports rather than only major hubs.
PAC generates revenue from two streams: on-demand air cargo charter (transaction-fee model) and recurring short- and long-term cargo contracts (subscription/recurring). Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, varying with distance, payload, aircraft type, and route. Distribution is exclusively direct-to-consumer through toll-free (877-698-4604) and local phone lines plus a single email inbox ([email protected]); there is no app, no API, no third-party booking channel, and minimal digital marketing beyond an informational website. The company holds material regulatory certifications — TSA-approved, HazMat-approved, and bilateral U.S./Canada paperless customs entry with proprietary electronic Air Cargo Manifest submission — that meaningfully expand its addressable market beyond general freight.
Ownership sits with the second generation of the Stoltzfus family through parent JILCO Industries (Colby and Austin Stoltzfus, sons of founder Ken Jr.). The business is operationally intertwined with two sister entities under common family ownership: Preferred Airparts, a leading supplier of aircraft parts for Cessna/Piper and others, and Preferred Improvements, a product vendor for the Cessna Caravan, Pilatus PC-12, and Douglas DC-3/C-47. This vertical ecosystem delivers parts, product improvements, and M&A-free scale benefits that pure-play charter operators cannot easily access. Headcount is in the 11–50 range, with a tenured leadership team including Director of Operations Kevin Sibila (21-year JetBlue veteran), Chief Pilot Matt Potter (with PAC since 2017), and dispatchers dating back to 2004. PAC has no app, no disclosed AI/ML systems, no external funding rounds, no M&A activity, and no public valuation references.
Priority Air Charter firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Priority Air Charter
- Legal name
- Priority Air Charter, LLC
- Website
- https://flypac.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Priority Air Charter is a privately-held U.S. on-demand air cargo charter operator founded in 1997 in Apple Creek, Ohio. Its four-turboprop fleet (Cessna Caravans and Pilatus PC-12s) serves commercial cargo shippers and faith-based mission organizations with 24/7 dispatch across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Priority Air Charter industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Air Cargo Charter Services
- NAICS
- Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation (481212), Nonscheduled Air Transportation (4812)
- SIC
- Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522), Air Courier Services (4513)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Time-Critical Air Charter & On-Demand Air Freight (TLADANAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Air Cargo Charter Specialists (On-Demand) (TLADAAAE), Express / Time-Definite Air Cargo Carriers (TLADAAAB)
Keywords
Where Priority Air Charter is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Apple Creek
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Priority Air Charter business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- On-Demand Air Cargo Charter: Revenue generated from on-demand air cargo charter flights operating across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Customers pay for cargo transport services with flexible short and long-term contract options available.
- Cargo Contracts: Long and short-term cargo contracts providing recurring revenue from shippers needing regular air freight service
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Custom quote-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels2 records
Priority Air Charter product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Priority Air Charter provides on-demand air cargo charter services using a fleet of two Cessna 208B Grand Caravans and two Pilatus PC-12 pressurized turboprops. The company operates 24/7 from local airports across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico with rapid 45-minute dispatch, flexible short- and long-term cargo contracts, and all-weather capability. It is TSA and HazMat approved and holds paperless customs entry approval for U.S./Canadian cross-border cargo operations.
Product overview
Priority Air Charter operates a unified on-demand air cargo charter service centered on two aircraft types: two Cessna 208B Grand Caravans (184-MPH, 3200# payload) and two Pilatus PC-12 pressurized turboprops (300-MPH, 2500# max payload). The Air Cargo Services product provides the core 24/7 dispatch and contract framework, while Priority Advantage highlights the modern avionics and all-weather capabilities of the turboprop fleet. The company serves the entire U.S., Canada, and Mexico from most local airports.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Air Cargo Services On-demand air cargo charter service operating 24/7 across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico with rapid 45-minute dispatch, flexible long- and short-term cargo contracts, door-to-door or airport-to-airport delivery, and cross-border paperless customs entry. Designed for cargo shippers and organizations needing time-sensitive freight transport.
- Priority Advantage Turboprop fleet offering featuring all-weather capability with modern avionics including flight directors, dual instrumentation, Garmin G600, GTN750, and XM satellite weather. Delivers higher dispatch reliability (99.9%) and the ability to operate from short or local airports that larger carriers cannot serve.
Quantifiable outcome
- 45-minute dispatch with 99.9% aircraft dispatch rate
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Priority Air Charter
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Priority Air Charter technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Priority Air Charter partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Preferred Airparts, LLCcoreLeading supplier of aircraft parts for various aircraft types including Cessna and Piper. Provides new surplus parts for nearly anything that flies. Also has a fabric division known for pre-sewn fabric envelopes and Polyfiber, Ceconite, and Randolph materials.
- Preferred Improvements, LLCcoreProducts company providing improved items for Cessna Caravan, Pilatus PC-12, and Douglas DC-3/C-47. Focus on improving quality while lowering cost for aviation products.
- MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship)minorFaith-based, non-profit ministry serving remote locations worldwide. Transports Bible translators, doctors, aid workers, and local evangelists in jungles of Africa, rivers of Borneo, and other difficult places.
- MFI (Missionary Flights International)minorAir arm for mission in the West Indies. Provides reliable transportation and logistical services in partnership with Bible-centered missions.
- MSI (Mission Safety International)minorProfessional pilots, mechanics, educators, and supporters committed to assisting missions in safety and operational excellence.
- JAARSminorPartners in Bible Translation. Uses special-purpose aircraft, boats, and off-road vehicles to relay God's Word, missionaries, and supplies across geographical barriers.
- PACTEC InternationalminorProvides expertise in aviation, communications, and technology to multiply effectiveness of humanitarian organizations and government agencies.
- AIM AIRminorMission aviation team serving Christian workers and the church in East and Central Africa.
- Samaritan's PurseminorInternational Relief organization following the example of Christ by helping those in need and proclaiming the hope of the Gospel.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Priority Air Charter competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Mountain Air Cargo: Regional Part 135 cargo operator running Cessna Caravans and similar turboprops for integrators and time-sensitive freight. Directly comparable aircraft type, customer mix, and on-demand air cargo business model.
- Tradewind Aviation: On-demand charter operator serving the U.S., Caribbean, and beyond with a fleet including pressurized turboprops. Comparable in on-demand charter positioning, all-weather capability, and small-airport access.
- Ameriflight: The largest U.S. Part 135 cargo carrier, operating a large fleet of turboprop and piston aircraft for time-sensitive freight. Directly comparable to Priority Air Charter in on-demand air cargo charter, with a similar customer base of shippers and integrator feeders.
- CSA Air: Regional cargo and passenger carrier operating Cessna Caravans and similar aircraft for integrator feeder service and charter. Highly comparable in fleet composition, customer profile, and on-demand service model.
- Airshare: Fractional and jet card operator with turboprop and light jet fleet. Comparable in on-demand private aviation service model and use of modern turboprop aircraft for time-sensitive client flights.
- AirNet II: Operates a turboprop fleet specializing in time-critical cargo, banking logistics, and medical shipments. Closely comparable niche and aircraft profile (Cessna Caravans / similar turboprops) to Priority Air Charter.
- PlaneSense: Fractional ownership operator running one of the largest Pilatus PC-12 fleets in North America. Comparable in PC-12 expertise, all-weather turboprop capability, and customer-facing on-demand flight operations.
Emerging players
- Surf Air Mobility: Emerging regional air mobility company pursuing turboprop-based cargo and passenger services. Overlaps with Priority Air Charter in turboprop small-airport operations and on-demand mission profile.
Broad incumbents
- FedEx Feeder Operations: FedEx's feeder network uses contracted Part 135 operators with Cessna Caravans and similar turboprops. Competes for integrator feeder contracts and time-sensitive small-payload shipments that Priority Air Charter also serves.
- Atlas Air: Major global cargo charter and ACMI operator. Operates in the same broad air cargo charter space as Priority Air Charter, though at a vastly larger scale and with wide-body aircraft — competing indirectly for premium cargo contracts.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Priority Air Charter social profiles
Digital presencePriority Air Charter compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Priority Air Charter financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Priority Air Charter leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Priority Air Charter funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Priority Air Charter 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 Priority Air Charter
What does Priority Air Charter do?
Priority Air Charter provides on-demand air cargo charter services using a fleet of two Cessna 208B Grand Caravans and two Pilatus PC-12 pressurized turboprops. The company operates 24/7 from local airports across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico with rapid 45-minute dispatch, flexible short- and long-term cargo contracts, and all-weather capability. It is TSA and HazMat approved and holds paperless customs entry approval for U.S./Canadian cross-border cargo operations.
Is Priority Air Charter a public or private company?
Priority Air Charter is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Priority Air Charter founded?
Priority Air Charter was founded in 1997. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Priority Air Charter based?
Priority Air Charter is headquartered in Apple Creek, United States, in the North America region.
How does Priority Air Charter make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. On-Demand Air Cargo Charter is the primary driver. The others are cargo Contracts.
Who are Priority Air Charter's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Mountain Air Cargo, Tradewind Aviation, Ameriflight, CSA Air, Airshare, AirNet II and PlaneSense. Surf Air Mobility is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are FedEx Feeder Operations and Atlas Air.
Does Priority Air Charter have an API?
No public API is recorded for Priority Air Charter.
What industry is Priority Air Charter in?
Priority Air Charter's product category is Air Cargo Charter Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLADANAA, Time-Critical Air Charter & On-Demand Air Freight, with a secondary code of TLADAAAE, Air Cargo Charter Specialists (On-Demand). Its NAICS code is 481212 and its SIC code is 4522.