Kalitta Air (Ypsilanti, MI) 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.

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.

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 Boeing 747-400 freighters with 12 more economical 777s arriving by the end of 2024. 

Top Copyright Photo: Kalitta Air (2nd) Boeing 747-4KZF N403KZ (msn 34018) ANC (Brian Worthington). Image: 961007.

Kalitta Air (2nd) aircraft photo gallery: