Amerijet: will new CEO or 757 launch come first?

Changes are underway at Florida-based Amerijet. In addition to preparing for the start of 757F operations and the reintroduction of narrowbody freighters, the carrier will now also have to look for a new CEO following the planned departure of Tim Strauss later this month. Strauss, who assumed the role of CEO in August 2020, will relinquish the position on Sept. 18. Vic Karjian, former CEO and current executive chairman, will assume the role of interim CEO while a search for a successor takes place. Strauss, meanwhile, will remain as an advisor “through the balance of this year,” according to a press release from Amerijet. [caption id="attachment_416593" align="alignright" width="560"] When will Amerijet begin flying its 757-200Fs? (Photo/Amerijet)[/caption] Early this year, Strauss touted the growth of the carrier and diversification into CMI operations , but it is unlikely he will see Amerijet’s 757 operation take off in his remaining time at the company as test flights have yet to commence. Since the emergence of a 757-200PCF (29311, ex-Icelandair) in Amerijet colors earlier this year , a second (32400, ex-American Airlines) has now made its way to the carrier’s base in Miami (MIA). While Amerijet leased unit 32400 from AerSale on Sept. 9, it does not yet appear to have leased or acquired unit 29311 from owner Nehalem 29311 LLC, according to the Federal Aviation Administration registry. The carrier said in a social media post in June that it expects to add six 757s to its fleet. Although the 757 freighters will be the first narrowbody freighters on Amerijet’s AOC since the carrier retired its last 727 in 2018, it has trialed narrowbody ops through wet-leases. U.K.-based Titan Airways operated two A321-200P2Fs for Amerijet on six-month wet leases beginning in February and March of this year. The lease on the first aircraft (1238) ended in August and the freighter was subsequently transferred back to Europe where it is now operating on an ACMI basis for UPS. The second A321-200P2F (1250) continues to operate for Amerijet, but will soon follow 1238 back to Europe. In recent months carriers looking to add new types to their certificates have reported slower than normal approvals from the FAA. Pilot recruitment has again surfaced as an issue. Amerijet did not respond to a request for comment as to when the 757s will enter service. Amerijet’s ambitious growth plans call for a total of twenty-seven freighters by the end of 2022, including 757s and 767s for both scheduled and CMI services, the carrier told Cargo Facts earlier this year. Since November 2020, Amerijet has added five DHL 767-200BDSFs for CMI operation. The airline, which has a single 767-200BDSF on lease from Cargo Aircraft Management (CAM), recently also leased an eighth 767-300BDSF (27449, ex-American Airlines) from CAM at the end of August 2021. Two other ex-Icelandair units (26244 and 26255), currently in Xiamen (XMN) and SFB, should be ready for redelivery in September and October 2021, respectively, Precision Aircraft Solutions recently confirmed to Cargo Facts. It is unclear at this stage whether they will join the Amerijet fleet. Cargo Facts Symposium, taking place LIVE October 25-27 at the Wynn Las Vegas, is the essential event for stakeholders in the air cargo industry. Learn more and register at www.cargofactssymposium.com .

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