USA Jet Airlines
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Airline |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Headquarters | Van Buren Township, Michigan , United States |
Area served | United States (on-demand air charter freight) |
| Products | Cargo and passenger air services |
| Parent | Ascent Global Logistics (formerly Active Aero Group) |
USA Jet Airlines is a United States-based airline specializing in both cargo and passenger services, with its main office located at Willow Run Airport in Van Buren Township, Michigan. The company primarily offers on-demand air charter freight operations and previously operated passenger flights originating from Willow Run. USA Jet Airlines functions as a subsidiary of Ascent Global Logistics (formerly known as Active Aero Group).
History
In August 2013, USA Jet Airlines pioneered the global introduction of an MD-80 Passenger-to-Freighter conversion, executed by Aeronautical Engineers, Inc., establishing the aircraft as a viable alternative to the Boeing 727 within the cargo sector. By February 2023, the airline had phased out the final three McDonnell Douglas DC-9 aircraft from its fleet.
Current fleet
As of March 2023, the composition of USA Jet Airlines’ fleet included:
| Aircraft | In Fleet | Orders | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| McDonnell Douglas MD-88SF | 6 | — | Dedicated to cargo operations |
| McDonnell Douglas MD-83SF | 1 | — | Cargo use |
| Boeing 727-200F | 2 | — | Cargo use |
| Dassault Falcon 20 | 6 | — | Utilized for passenger and cargo transport |
| Total | 15 | — |
Historic fleet
Aircraft formerly operated by USA Jet Airlines comprised:
| Aircraft | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| McDonnell Douglas MD-83 | 1 | Converted into freighter configuration |
| McDonnell Douglas DC-9-15 | 1 | Converted into freighter configuration |
| McDonnell Douglas DC-9-31 | 3 |
Accidents and incidents
- On September 1, 2005, a Falcon 20 suffered a bird strike shortly after departing from Lorain County, Ohio, which resulted in a dual engine flameout. The aircraft crashed beyond the runway perimeter and was destroyed; the flight crew experienced only minor injuries.
- On July 8, 2008, a DC-9-15F (registration N199US) crashed near Plan de Guadalupe International Airport in Saltillo, Mexico, during a scheduled cargo flight originating from the United States. The pilot lost his life while the co-pilot sustained serious burn injuries; no casualties occurred on the ground. The journey began at Detroit-Willow Run Airport with intermediate stops in Hamilton, Canada, and Shreveport before arriving in Saltillo. Following impact in an industrial zone approximately 800 meters north of the airport, the aircraft broke apart and caught fire.
Trivia
- A USA Jet Airlines-operated McDonnell Douglas DC-9 appeared in the motion pictures Cedar Rapids and We Are Marshall.