Kalitta Air

Kalitta Pilots Continue to Bargain as Carrier Grows

As 2026 began, the pilots of Kalitta Air were deep in the collective bargaining process to achieve a new labor agreement. The pilot group’s Negotiating Committee and management recently agreed to contract language that improves scheduling and protects flying and growth.

“We were able to extensively revise the previous language and introduce a new scheduling concept for our members—one that more effectively addresses their needs while encouraging the company to continue to grow and create more jobs,” said Capt. Jeremy Keyes, the pilot group’s Master Executive Council (MEC) chair. “Once a tentative agreement is reached, it will go to the MEC for review and approval to send to the pilot group for ratification. If approved by the MEC, the pilots will be able to review the tentative agreement, interact with the Negotiating Committee and MEC leaders, and vote on the agreement,” he added.

Keyes cautioned that negotiations on the economic sections, including compensation, will be difficult, but the Negotiating Committee will work to secure a fair wage that recognizes the skill and sacrifices the crewmembers put forth to make the carrier both successful and competitive.

Meanwhile, Kalitta Air continues to grow due to the dedication and effort of its crewmembers. “The airline hired a class of 17 new pilots in December 2025 and expects that trend to continue as the carrier addresses staffing needs for the new aircraft it’s acquiring,” Keyes observed. Kalitta Air became the launch operator of the B-777-300ERSF in 2020 and, last September, announced the acquisition of seven more B-777s as part of a long-term strategy to take advantage of the aircraft’s efficiencies and capacity.

From conveying freight for clients like DHL, Pacific Air Cargo, and the U.S. Departments of State and Defense to operating humanitarian missions, Kalitta pilots fly to every corner of the world. Since the air cargo carrier’s creation more than 25 years ago, its pilots have participated in several historic missions, including operating the only nonmilitary airplane permitted to fly in the United States immediately following the 9/11 terrorist attacks to deliver Red Cross disaster aid and transporting Americans from Wuhan, China, after the COVID-19 outbreak.

The flexibility of our pilots and their unwavering commitment to safety in every mission are central to why our company continues to succeed.

Kalitta Air MEC