Centurion Air Cargo shuts down operation

Aug 25, 2018: Centurion Air Cargo, a US-based all-cargo carrier has surrendered its air carrier operating certificate (AOC) and has decided against continuing to pursue the resumption of operations.

According to the US Department of Transportation (DoT), the freighter operator "operated under its certificate and exemption authority until December 31, 2016, when Centurion ceased all operations". In January 2017, the DoT informed the carrier that its economic authority would be suspended until it had re-determined its fitness to resume operations, with a limit of one year.

In December 2017, the carrier requested to grant an extension of the limit until March 2018. It later filed for another extension until June 30. However, in May this year, the carrier informed the DoT that it had decided to discontinue its operation and in June it surrendered its AOC certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The company confirmed it is now permanently closed, that the decision was made by Centurion management, and that Centurion voluntarily returned its operating authority to DoT and the FAA.

Centurion held interstate and foreign charter cargo certificates, a blanket open-skies all cargo certificate, and various exemptions authorising it to engage in foreign scheduled all cargo air transportation.

In March, the carrier had been in discussions with a potential US investor who it was hoped would fund the carrier’s return to service.

In 2015, the carrier had a fleet of ten MD-11F and three 747-400ERF freighters and operated a 51,000 square metre Miami warehouse.