Who We AreAt Air Transport Services, Inc. (ATS), we began with a simple yet powerful mission: to help those in need. Our story started in 2010, when a group of dedicated pilots took flight in response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti. What began as a small volunteer effort quickly grew as a series of natural disasters continued to impact the Caribbean islands, creating an urgent need for disaster relief flights.
Recognizing the increasing demand for these critical services, we formally incorporated ATS in 2022 as 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Initially, we focused on establishing a Volunteer Pilot Organization (VPO) program, which provided a legal framework for our volunteers to assist with disaster response flights. As we grew, we also deepened our understanding of the legal and operational needs of this work.
In November 2022, we made the strategic decision to pursue a Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate to further expand our capabilities. With this certification, we will be able to offer safe, legal, and reliable Air Taxi services for both passengers and cargo.
Some of our volunteer pilots: (l-r) Doug Elmore, Paul Sicaras, Chris Obaugh, and Rajon Wilson.
We’re proud to have over 40 volunteers who generously offer their time and expertise to support our mission at their own expense. Together, we continue to provide vital air transport for disaster relief, medical emergencies, and humanitarian aid across the United States and Caribbean Islands. Every step of the way, we remain committed to our core mission: providing life-saving air transport to communities in need while maintaining the highest standards of safety, service and care.
Starting in May 2025, we will focus on the United States and Caribbean Islands, with plans to extend our services to Mexico and Canada by 2026.
ATS operates exclusively for charitable purposes (tax id code: 88-0757081) within the scope of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service code.
