Polar Air Cargo
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Air cargo |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Founder | Southern Air Transport and GECAS (partnership) |
| Headquarters | Purchase, New York , United States |
Area served | North America, Asia, Europe, Middle East |
Key people | Lars Winkelbauer (former COO) |
| Products | Scheduled all-cargo flights, charter freight flights |
| Owner | Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings (51%), DHL (49%) |
Number of employees | 736 (2007) |
Polar Air Cargo Worldwide Inc. is a cargo airline based in Purchase, New York, United States. The company provides scheduled all-cargo flights throughout North America, Asia, and Europe. Its main operational hub is located at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, complemented by additional hubs at Los Angeles International Airport, Hong Kong International Airport, Narita International Airport, and Incheon International Airport. Ownership is divided between Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings holding a 51% majority stake and DHL owning 49%.
History
Founded in 1993, Polar originated as a partnership between Southern Air Transport and GECAS. Initially, it operated charter flights before expanding into scheduled cargo services. By 1994, the airline received certification as a supplemental air carrier from the Federal Aviation Administration and was recognized as a US all-cargo carrier by the United States Department of Transportation. Following its expansion, GECAS took full ownership of the company.
In November 2001, Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings (AAWW) acquired Polar. After this acquisition, Polar served as AAWW’s scheduled service provider, while Atlas Air supplied freighter aircraft under wet-lease agreements. DHL purchased a 49% equity share in Polar in October 2006. By 2007, the company employed approximately 736 personnel.
In April 2023, former COO Lars Winkelbauer and others faced charges related to defrauding Polar of around $52 million.
In February 2025, Atlas Air and DHL revealed intentions to discontinue Polar Air Cargo as an independent entity. The airline’s fleet—comprising four Boeing 747-8s and two Boeing 777Fs—will continue operations under Atlas Air management.
Scheduled services
Polar Air Cargo runs scheduled freight routes spanning transpacific, transatlantic, trans-Asia, and Middle Eastern markets. Notable frequent services connect Shanghai with destinations in the United States, Asia, and Europe, including key airports such as Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany and East Midlands Airport in the United Kingdom.
Charter services
Using its Boeing 747 and 767 aircraft, Polar offers charter freight flights. Together with its affiliate Atlas Air, Polar supports the U.S. Air Force’s Air Mobility Command (AMC), expanding its market presence through government contracts.
Current fleet
Polar’s active fleet consists of:
| Aircraft | Quantity | Orders | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 747-8F | 4 | — | Operating on behalf of DHL Aviation |
| Boeing 777F | 2 | — | Operating for DHL Aviation |
| Total | 6 | — |
Former fleet
Historically, Polar operated several Boeing aircraft variants such as the 747-100SF, 747-200F/SF, 747-300SF, 747-400F, and 767-300ERF. These models were gradually retired by early 2024 as part of a fleet modernization strategy aligned with DHL Aviation.
| Aircraft type | Total operated | Year introduced | Year retired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 747-100SF | 14 | 1994 | 2006 | |
| Boeing 747-200F/SF | 12 | 1996–1999 | 2006–2007 | |
| Boeing 747-300SF | 2 | 2002 | 2004 | Leased from Atlas Air |
| Boeing 747-400F | 9 | 2000 | 2022 | Leased; aircraft returned to DHL Aviation or operated by Atlas Air |
| Boeing 767-300ERF | 4 | 2014 | February 2024 |