Royal Air Freight

Royal Air Freight, also known as Royal Air Charter, is an American passenger and cargo charter airline based in Waterford, Michigan, near Oakland County International Airport. The company is licensed and certified to provide charter passenger and air-freight services in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Its principal operating base is Oakland County International Airport, approximately six miles west of Pontiac, Michigan. The airline began operations in 1961. Unlike a scheduled network carrier, Royal Air Freight operates in the charter and specialized air-transport segment, using aircraft suited to small-group passenger movements, time-sensitive cargo, and dedicated contract flying. Its historical fleet has included business jets, turboprops, and light twin-engine aircraft, reflecting the operational requirements of a regional charter operator rather than those of a large commercial airline. The fleet documented for January 8, 2010, included seven Cessna 310R aircraft, six Dassault Falcon 20s, five Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirantes, six Learjet 25Bs, and four Learjet 35As. These aircraft gave the company a mixed capability: the Cessna 310R supported light regional operations, the Falcon 20 and Learjet families provided jet performance for passenger or cargo charter work, and the Bandeirante supplied turboprop capacity. The published fleet list represents a historical snapshot and should not be treated as the current fleet. Royal Air Freight is associated with the Kostich family. Kirt Kostich is identified as president of Royal Air Freight Inc., while other members of the Kostich family have served as company officers. The available reference material does not identify a separate parent company, publicly traded status, or publicly disclosed founder. The airline has also appeared in accident reporting. On January 5, 2010, a Royal Air Freight Learjet 35A crashed during its final approach to Chicago Executive Airport, killing both crew members. The aircraft was not carrying cargo and was traveling to the airport to collect cargo. In January 2014, a Royal Air Freight Cessna 310 crashed short of the runway at Oakland County International Airport. The probable cause was ultimately attributed to pilot error, while the airline was also criticized for inadequate pilot training and supervision and for the pilot's limited night-flying experience in that aircraft type. Royal Air Freight remains a specialized U.S. aviation operator with an identity centered on charter passenger service and cargo transportation rather than scheduled public air travel. Publicly available information is limited, particularly regarding current fleet composition, route volumes, financial performance, and present-day corporate structure.

Royal Air Freight began operations in 1961 and developed as a Michigan-based charter aviation company serving both passengers and cargo customers. Its base at Oakland County International Airport placed the company near Pontiac and within the Detroit metropolitan aviation market, while its operating authority covered charter services in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The company has also used the name Royal Air Charter. Its business model differs from that of a scheduled airline: rather than operating a large published route network, it provides aircraft and flight services for charter passenger movements and air-cargo assignments. This model has allowed the operator to use a varied fleet containing light aircraft, turboprops, business jets, and cargo-capable aircraft. A fleet snapshot dated January 8, 2010, listed seven Cessna 310R aircraft, six Dassault Falcon 20s, five Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirantes, six Learjet 25Bs, and four Learjet 35As. The mix indicates an operator able to support different mission profiles, from relatively small regional flights to jet charter work and cargo operations. Because the cited fleet information is historical, it does not establish which aircraft remain in service today. Royal Air Freight is identified as a family-associated business. Kirt Kostich serves as president of Royal Air Freight Inc., and members of the Kostich family have held officer positions. No separate parent company or public-company ownership is identified in the available material. The airline's history includes two reported fatal or serious operational events. On January 5, 2010, Learjet 35A N720RA crashed on final approach to Chicago Executive Airport, killing both pilots. The aircraft had no cargo aboard and was positioning to the airport to collect cargo. In January 2014, a Royal Air Freight Cessna 310 crashed short of the runway at Oakland County International Airport. The probable cause was attributed to pilot error, while the company was also held responsible in reporting for insufficient training and supervision and for the pilot's lack of night-flight experience in that aircraft model. Available public information describes Royal Air Freight as an active specialist charter operator, but does not provide a detailed account of later fleet changes, financial results, route activity, or ownership developments. Its documented identity remains that of a privately held-looking regional aviation business focused on passenger and cargo charter services from southeastern Michigan.

• 2014

  Cessna 310 accident near Oakland County International Airport

  [1]Royal Air Freighten.wikipedia.org

  A Royal Air Freight Cessna 310 crashes short of the runway; pilot error is identified as the probable cause, alongside criticism of company training and supervision.

• 2010

  Historical fleet snapshot published

  [1]Royal Air Freighten.wikipedia.org

  A fleet listing dated January 8, 2010, records Cessna 310R, Dassault Falcon 20, Embraer EMB 110, Learjet 25B, and Learjet 35A aircraft.

• 2010

  Learjet 35A accident at Chicago Executive Airport

  [1]Royal Air Freighten.wikipedia.org

  Learjet 35A N720RA crashes during final approach, killing both pilots.

• 1961

  Operations begin

  [1]Royal Air Freighten.wikipedia.org

  Royal Air Freight begins operating as an American passenger and cargo charter airline.

A Michigan-based specialist in charter passenger and air-cargo transportation, serving the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

• Charter aviation

  Passenger charter services

  Royal Air Freight provides charter passenger transportation rather than a conventional scheduled airline service. Its historical use of Learjet, Falcon, turboprop, and light twin-engine aircraft indicates the ability to serve different group sizes and mission requirements. The available material does not specify regular routes, cabin configurations, or current service frequencies.

• Air freight

  Air cargo charter services

  The airline performs charter air-cargo transportation within its certified operating markets. Historical operations involved aircraft such as the Dassault Falcon 20, Learjet 35A, and other types listed in its fleet, and reported flights included missions to collect cargo. Public sources do not provide detailed cargo categories, customer names, or current capacity.

1. 1Royal Air Freighten.wikipedia.org