KALITTA AIR INCREASES PILOT RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTION, NEW-HIRE PAY IN PILOT UNION DEAL

YPSILANTI, Mich., July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kalitta Air and its Kalitta Air Pilot Union, Kalitta Air Master Executive Council (MEC), reached a settlement agreement over new-hire pay and significantly increased retirement plan contributions for all pilots, the company announced today.

Effective as soon as feasible, considering the necessary items and documentation required to implement the changes, Kalitta Air will increase its crewmember nonelective contribution to the 401(k) plan from seven percent to 12 percent. Kalitta Air will also compensate new pilots at the full First Officer rate as soon as the pilot begins Kalitta Air training.

In addition, while its agreement with the MEC does not expire until March of 2025, the company will open Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations on Sept. 1, 2023, 18 months ahead of the CBA expiration date.

"This announcement is huge news for both Kalitta Air and its pilots," Kalitta Air founder and owner Conrad "Connie" Kalitta said. "Our pilots are incredibly important to the entire Kalitta Air operation for obvious reasons. This agreement is a major upgrade for our airline that enhances our pilots qualify of life, and we thank our MEC for working with us to get it done."

Earlier this week, Kalitta Air announced a major initiative in partnership with Kalitta Motorsports, also owned by drag racing legend Connie Kalitta, to recruit pilots and mechanics. Kalitta Air Careers, a multifaceted effort to tell the Kalitta Air story and enhance the airline's recruiting efforts, includes a significant social media presence and livery on one of the team's Top Fuel dragsters. The team competes in the National Hot Rod Association's Camping World Drag Racing series and will share the Kalitta Air Careers message through its NHRA on FOX television broadcasts.

"Today's news should show pilots that Kalitta Air is a great place to work and a company that values its employees," Kalitta Air senior vice president and deputy chief operating officer Heath Nicholl said. "Our company is growing, we're enhancing and modernizing our fleet, and we're looking for the best pilots in the sky and mechanics on the ground and inviting them to consider Kalitta Air."

For additional information or to apply, please visit bit.ly/KalittaAirCareers. 

About Kalitta Air: 
Kalitta Air is a Limited Liability Company headquartered in Ypsilanti, Mich., Kalitta Air began service in November 2000 with three Boeing 747 aircraft but currently flies some 29 planes, comprised of 777 freighters and B747-400 freighters with 12 more economical 777s arriving by the end of 2024. Capable of air-express delivery of virtually any type of freight, the company provides scheduled or on-demand charter service for customers in the United States and around the world. Kalitta Air is committed to providing its customers with the most cost effective and complete on-demand air cargo services available in the industry. For more information, please visit www.KalittaAir.com and follow us on social media.

CONTACT: Rob Goodman, [email protected];

SOURCE Kalitta Air