Discover key cargo growth opportunities in the St. Louis region discussed during the recent summit. experts discussed emerging trends, aviation careers and the critical role cargo carriers play in connecting markets and missions worldwide
Kalitta Air Examines Growth, Workforce Needs and Defense Partnerships at Summit
Global air cargo operations, defense partnerships and workforce development took center stage at the 2026 Global Aerospace Summit during a panel discussion titled “Connecting Markets and Missions: Kalitta Air’s Global Reach.” The session featured Alicia Lawrence, Director of Workforce Programs and Operations Systems, and Jamie Handley, Managing Director of the Operations Control Center for Kalitta Air. Both shared insights into the company’s worldwide operations, role in military logistics and vision for the future of air cargo.
The discussion opened with an overview of Kalitta Air, a privately owned global cargo airline headquartered in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and founded by aviation entrepreneur and drag racing legend Conrad “Connie” Kalitta. Lawrence explained that the company has grown from a small cargo operation into a worldwide carrier.
“We fly a fleet of 34 747s and 777s, and we’re global,” Lawrence said. “We fly anywhere and everywhere that we absolutely can.” She added that Kalitta Air maintains a major maintenance facility in Oscoda, Michigan, and provides scheduled and on-demand cargo services for customers around the world.
“I like to tell people that we are the best-kept secret in aviation,” Lawrence said.
She went on to share the unique story behind the company’s origins, noting that Kalitta initially built the airline alongside his successful drag racing career, often joking that he started the airline to fund his racing efforts before becoming so successful in drag racing that it helped support the growth of the airline. Today, that entrepreneurial spirit continues to shape the company and its operations around the world.
Lawrence also highlighted the company’s culture of innovation and self-reliance, explaining that founder Connie Kalitta has long encouraged the organization to develop critical capabilities in-house whenever possible. That philosophy has led to significant investments in pilot training, aircraft maintenance and workforce development programs while supporting continued growth across its global operations.
Handley discussed Kalitta Air’s longstanding partnership with the U.S. military through the Civil Reserve Air Fleet program and the company’s support of Air Mobility Command and defense-related missions worldwide.
“We have been a long-time partner with the U.S. military, and we have built an entire line of business that is surrounding and supporting the military missions that are required around the world. We are wherever the military needs us to be, available 24/7.”
The panelists also highlighted several trends shaping the future of cargo aviation. Handley pointed to the rapid growth of e-commerce as one of the industry’s most significant developments over the last five years and discussed the increasing importance of collaboration between industry and government regulators as emerging technologies continue to evolve.
The discussion also highlighted evolving workforce demands across the aviation industry. While pilots and mechanics remain essential, Handley emphasized the growing need for professionals with expertise in technology, operations and data analytics, particularly as new aircraft come online.
Each aircraft will produce terabytes of data,” Handley said. “Being able to crunch that and turn that into meaningful changes in operating profile is really going to be one of the things that differentiate the carriers that survive and those that don’t.”
The discussion explored opportunities for the St. Louis region and the broader Midwest as cargo distribution networks continue to evolve. Handley noted that shifting freight patterns and capacity constraints at larger hub airports are creating opportunities for emerging logistics centers to attract additional cargo activity and investment.
“Chicago is starting to box out the cargo carriers,” Handley said, “One of the things this region could benefit from is going after some of those integrators and forwarders to tap into what’s being displaced out of Chicago.”
Workforce development emerged as another major theme of the conversation. Lawrence shared how Kalitta Air has invested in building talent pipelines across multiple disciplines within the aviation industry. The company operates four full-flight simulators at its Michigan headquarters and conducts pilot training programs in-house using company instructors. She also highlighted Kalitta Air’s apprenticeship program in Oscoda, which provides aspiring aircraft maintenance professionals with paid, hands-on experience while they work toward earning their FAA Airframe and Powerplant certification.
In addition to pilots and mechanics, the panelists emphasized the breadth of career opportunities available throughout the aviation ecosystem, including dispatch, operations control, maintenance planning, law, accounting and data analytics. Lawrence also discussed Kalitta Air’s outreach efforts with schools, colleges and universities to increase awareness of aviation careers and encourage the next generation of industry professionals to consider opportunities within the sector.
The session was moderated by Mary Lamie, Executive Vice President of Multimodal Enterprises for Bi-State Development and head of its St. Louis Regional Freightway enterprise.
“From global commerce to military readiness, air cargo plays a vital role in keeping goods, people and missions moving around the world,” Lamie said. “We appreciate Kalitta Air’s willingness to share its expertise and demonstrate the wide range of career opportunities and industry innovations shaping the future of aerospace.”
Over the two days of the event, Summit attendees participated in a career fail, business expo, networking opportunities, presentations and panel discussions focused on topics ranging from autonomous systems, sustainable aviation fuels and defense technologies to advanced manufacturing, workforce development and economic growth. Together, those conversations explored how the region can continue building on its momentum and strengthen its role as a nationally significant aerospace and defense center while fostering new connections. The Global Aerospace Summit is presented by the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois; Madison County, Illinois; St. Clair County, Illinois, and Bi-State Development’s St. Louis Regional Freightway.
To learn more about the 2026 Global Aerospace Summit, visit: https://leadershipcouncilswil.
