Amerijet International

Amerijet International is an American cargo airline headquartered in Miami, Florida, with its principal hub at Miami International Airport. The company specializes in air-freight transportation rather than scheduled passenger flying and serves commercial shippers, freight forwarders, logistics providers, institutions, and customers with specialized transport requirements. Its historical and geographic center of gravity is the trade corridor linking the United States with the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and South America. The airline began operations in 1974 under the name Professional Charter Services. Founder David Bassett and a business partner initially used a leased Cessna 401 to provide both passenger and cargo services between the United States and the Bahamas. In 1976, the company became a freight-only carrier. Bassett acquired his partner’s interest in 1982 and established the Amerijet International identity. The name and visual identity were created with the participation of Miami commercial artist Michael I. Rosenthal. Amerijet developed as a regional and international cargo specialist. Its scheduled and charter operations have connected Miami with numerous destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and South America, while its broader logistics network has extended to destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Public descriptions of the airline’s network distinguish between its direct air service, which has covered dozens of destinations, and a much larger worldwide delivery reach supported by connecting and ground transportation arrangements. Its service portfolio includes general cargo, pharmaceuticals, perishables, oversized shipments, live-animal transportation, and cargo charters. The company also provides trucking and expedited-delivery services, and has offered last-mile delivery for commercial customers in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. This combination of air transport and regional surface logistics positions Amerijet as a specialist carrier for markets where reliable connections, cargo handling, and destination coverage can be more important than passenger-network scale. Amerijet has experienced significant financial and ownership changes. It entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in August 2001 and emerged at the end of that year after restructuring. Private-equity firm H.I.G. Capital was the majority owner from 2001 through 2016, after which H.I.G. sold the carrier to ZS Fund L.P. In 2016, Vicken L. Karjian joined the company as chief executive officer. The airline later entered a commercial agreement with Maersk under which Amerijet would operate three Boeing 767-300 freighters for Maersk. In January 2024, Amerijet announced a restructuring intended to stabilize its finances and operations. The plan included returning six Boeing 757-200 converted freighters to lessors, reducing nonpilot staffing, obtaining $55 million in capital from existing lenders, and deferring planned additions of Boeing 767 freighters. These measures reflected pressure on the company’s cash flow and operating performance. Amerijet remains identifiable as a specialist all-cargo airline whose principal franchise is the movement of freight between North America, the Caribbean, and Latin America, supplemented by charter, trucking, and international logistics services.

Amerijet International began in 1974 as Professional Charter Services. David Bassett and an unnamed partner launched the business with a leased Cessna 401, initially carrying both passengers and freight between the United States and the Bahamas. The company shifted to an all-cargo model in 1976, a strategic change that defined its subsequent identity. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, it expanded its courier-related business, taking on contracts associated with major express-delivery companies. In 1982, Bassett bought out his partner and created Amerijet International. The company’s name and logo were developed with Miami commercial artist Michael I. Rosenthal. From its Miami base, Amerijet built a freight network oriented toward the Caribbean and Latin America. Miami’s location provided access to major U.S. cargo infrastructure and to island and mainland markets that require regular air links for commercial, industrial, medical, perishable, and time-sensitive shipments. The airline’s operations developed around freighter aircraft, scheduled cargo flights, charters, and supplementary surface transportation. Its service descriptions have included general freight, pharmaceuticals, perishables, oversized loads, live animals, expedited trucking, and last-mile delivery in parts of the Caribbean and Latin America. The company entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on August 22, 2001. It emerged on December 31 of that year following a financial restructuring. H.I.G. Capital became the majority owner during the post-restructuring period and retained that position until 2016. On July 26, 2016, H.I.G. completed the sale of Amerijet to private-equity firm ZS Fund L.P. Vicken L. Karjian joined Amerijet as chief executive in July 2016. The airline also reached a four-year labor agreement with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters in September 2009 covering flight-crew employees. Amerijet’s treatment of live animals became a major reputational issue. Animal-rights campaigners criticized the airline for transporting primates for experimental purposes, particularly in connection with Miami-based Primate Products. Demonstrations were held outside Amerijet facilities and activists also targeted members of senior management. On February 14, 2011, the company announced that it had ceased transporting primates for any purpose, ending its involvement in that trade. In July 2022, Maersk announced that it had reached a CMI arrangement with Amerijet for the operation of three Boeing 767-300 freighters. Maersk planned to take delivery of the aircraft and outsource their operation to Amerijet, with the aircraft expected to support trans-Pacific flying. The arrangement represented an extension of Amerijet’s operating role beyond its traditional regional network. By January 2024, Amerijet was pursuing a restructuring intended to improve cash flow and stabilize operations. It said it would return six Boeing 757-200 passenger-to-freighter conversions to lessors, reduce its nonpilot workforce, and obtain $55 million in capital from existing lenders. It also planned to defer agreements for additional Boeing 767 cargo aircraft. These actions indicated a period of financial and operational stress, although the available source material does not establish a later ownership change or a definitive end to the airline’s operations. Amerijet therefore remains documented as an active, privately held cargo carrier, with a core role in U.S.–Caribbean and U.S.–Latin American freight transportation. Founder David Bassett died in March 2026 at age 77.

1. 2026Death of founder David Bassett

   David Bassett dies at age 77, according to the cited reference material.

   Source
2. 2024Fleet and financial restructuring

   Amerijet announces the return of six Boeing 757 freighters, nonpilot layoffs, $55 million in lender capital, and deferral of additional Boeing 767 aircraft.

   Source
3. 2022Maersk CMI arrangement

   Maersk announces that Amerijet will operate three Boeing 767-300 freighters under a crew, maintenance, and insurance arrangement.

   Source
4. 2016Sale to ZS Fund

   H.I.G. Capital completes the sale of Amerijet to ZS Fund L.P.; Vicken L. Karjian joins as chief executive.

   Source
5. 2011End of primate transportation

   The airline states that it has stopped transporting primates for any purpose after sustained animal-rights campaigning.

   Source
6. 2009Flight-crew labor agreement

   Amerijet and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters agree to a four-year contract covering flight-crew employees.

   Source
7. 2001Chapter 11 restructuring

   Amerijet enters Chapter 11 protection in August and emerges at the end of December after financial restructuring.

   Source
8. 1982Amerijet International identity established

   Bassett buys out his partner and establishes the Amerijet International name and corporate identity.

   Source
9. 1976Conversion to freight-only operations

   The company ends its passenger-oriented activity and becomes a cargo-only carrier.

   Source
10. 1974Professional Charter Services begins operations

    David Bassett and a partner establish the company with a leased Cessna 401, initially providing passenger and cargo flights between the United States and the Bahamas.

    Source

A specialist business-to-business cargo airline focused on dependable freight connections between the United States, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and South America, with additional charter and logistics capabilities.

• Scheduled air freightCargo airline service

  Amerijet’s core offering is scheduled freighter transportation from its Miami hub to destinations across the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and South America. The service is designed for commercial cargo and freight-forwarding customers rather than passenger traffic, with the airline’s regional network supporting recurring movement of general merchandise, industrial goods, and time-sensitive shipments.

• Cargo charter servicesAir cargo charter

  Amerijet provides charter capacity for customers requiring dedicated aircraft or customized routing. Charter work can accommodate unusual schedules, destinations, shipment volumes, or handling requirements and complements the airline’s scheduled network. The service is relevant to freight forwarders, commercial shippers, institutions, and customers moving oversized or time-critical cargo.

• Specialized cargo transportationSpecialized logistics

  The airline lists transportation capabilities for pharmaceuticals, perishables, oversized shipments, and live animals. These categories require handling procedures that differ from ordinary general freight, including attention to temperature, timing, dimensions, packaging, or regulatory requirements. Amerijet’s specialized cargo positioning is particularly relevant to island and regional markets that depend on air transport for goods with limited practical alternatives.

• Trucking and last-mile deliveryGround logistics

  In addition to aircraft operations, Amerijet provides trucking services, including expedited delivery, and last-mile delivery for commercial customers in parts of the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. These ground services extend the airline’s proposition beyond airport-to-airport transportation and help connect air cargo with final destinations.

• Maersk-operated Boeing 767 freighter capacityContract cargo operation2022

  Under a 2022 CMI arrangement, Amerijet agreed to operate three Boeing 767-300 freighters for Maersk. The aircraft were intended for Maersk’s cargo network, including planned trans-Pacific operations, and represented a contract-operating role alongside Amerijet’s own branded freight services.

• 2024Cash-preservation and fleet restructuring planStrategy

  Amerijet described its finances and operations as under pressure and sought to improve cash flow and stability.

  What changed. The company planned to return six Boeing 757-200 freighters to lessors, lay off nonpilot personnel, obtain capital from existing lenders, and defer additional Boeing 767 commitments.

  Aftermath. The plan was intended to stabilize the business, but the cited material does not provide a later assessment of its outcome.

  Capital secured from existing lenders. $55 million (January 2024)

  Source
• 2022CMI operation for MaerskOther

  Maersk sought operating capacity for three Boeing 767-300 freighters intended for its cargo network.

  What changed. Amerijet agreed to operate the aircraft for Maersk under a crew, maintenance, and insurance arrangement.

  Aftermath. The agreement expanded Amerijet’s role into contract operation of aircraft for another global logistics company and was associated with planned trans-Pacific flying.

  Source
• 2016Sale from H.I.G. Capital to ZS FundM&A

  H.I.G. Capital had been Amerijet’s majority owner since the post-2001 restructuring period.

  What changed. H.I.G. Capital completed the sale of Amerijet to private-equity firm ZS Fund L.P.

  Aftermath. Vicken L. Karjian joined the company as chief executive in July 2016.

  Source
• 2011Termination of primate transportationStrategy

  The company faced sustained campaigning and public demonstrations over its transportation of primates for experimental purposes.

  What changed. Amerijet announced that it had ceased transporting primates for any purpose.

  Aftermath. The decision ended the company’s stated involvement in the primate-transportation trade.

  Source
• 2001Financial restructuring under Chapter 11Strategy

  Amerijet sought court protection during a period of financial difficulty.

  What changed. The airline operated under Chapter 11 protection from August 22 and completed a restructuring before emerging on December 31.

  Aftermath. H.I.G. Capital became the majority owner during the post-restructuring period.

  Source

• 2011Animal-rights controversy over primate transportationControversy

  Animal-rights activists criticized Amerijet for transporting primates for experimentation, especially in connection with Primate Products. Demonstrations were held outside company premises and some senior managers were targeted at their homes. On February 14, 2011, Amerijet announced that it had ended the transportation of primates for all purposes.

  Source

• 2026Amerijet founder David Bassett dies

  David Bassett, who founded Amerijet and served as its chairman and chief executive, died at age 77.

  Leadership change
  Source
• 2024Amerijet announces restructuring and fleet reductions

  Amerijet announced plans to return six Boeing 757-200 freighters to lessors, reduce nonpilot staffing, raise $55 million from existing lenders, and defer additional Boeing 767 deliveries.

  BankruptcyLeadership change
  Source
• 2022Maersk contracts Amerijet to operate Boeing 767 freighters

  Maersk announced a commercial agreement under which Amerijet would operate three new Boeing 767-300 freighters for Maersk, including aircraft intended for trans-Pacific use.

  M&AProduct launchOther
  Source

1. Amerijet International