AmeriJet International

Big-picture snapshot

AmeriJet International is a Part 121 scheduled all-cargo airline operating approximately 13 Boeing 767 and 757 freighters from its hub at Miami International Airport (MIA). It is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and employs approximately 260 active pilots represented by ALPA. Tim Strauss serves as CEO, with Vicken L. Karjian as Executive Chairman and President of parent company Amerijet Holdings.

For interview purposes, the simplest way to frame AmeriJet is this: it is a specialized Caribbean, Central American, and South American all-cargo carrier — the region's leading scheduled freight operator — with a 50-year history and a strong specialization in perishables, pharmaceuticals (the first U.S. all-cargo carrier to earn IATA CEIV-Pharma certification), and live animal transport. AmeriJet's pilot contract was ratified in June 2023 with 45%+ pay increases, bringing a Year 12 captain to approximately $300,000+ annually. The airline operates on a 16/12 schedule (or 32/24 over 56-day periods) with all pilots home-based in Miami and receiving positive-space travel. AmeriJet celebrated its 50th anniversary in December 2024.

Company history

• 1974: Founded by David Bassett as Professional Charter Services; Part 135 air-taxi with single leased Cessna 401; passenger and cargo to The Bahamas
• 1976: Became freight-only carrier; purchased first aircraft
• 1985: Invested in first Boeing 727
• 1987: Opened Miami hub
• Late 1980s-2000s: Expanded stations in Mexico, Caribbean, South America, Central America, Europe, Asia
• 2001 August 22: Filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy; H.I.G. Capital invested; emerged December 31, 2001
• 2003: Added Boeing 767-200 to fleet
• 2010-2018: Phased out Boeing 727 fleet
• 2014: First 767-300F added
• 2016: H.I.G. Capital sold AmeriJet to ZS Fund L.P.; Vicken Karjian became CEO
• 2017: Achieved CEIV Pharma certification
• 2020: Received FAA ETOPS approval
• 2022: SmartKargo cloud cargo management partnership
• 2023 June 25: ALPA contract ratified — 45%+ pay increases over previous contract
• 2024: Major restructuring — returned six B757-200 freighters to lessors; fleet standardized toward all-767 ops; $55 million capital infusion; celebrated 50th anniversary (December)
• 2025 April: Inaugural flight to Palmerola International Airport, Honduras (agro-export milestone)
• 2025 October: Supported El Salvador air cargo infrastructure expansion ($13.5M Adimex terminal investment)
• 2025 December: Acquired new B767-300BCF freighter via Airborne Capital; signed 5-year SmartKargo technology extension

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