Omni Air International History: Tulsa's Charter Airline – Airline Employee Shop

Omni Air International History

Omni Air International is a Tulsa charter airline that started with a single cargo jet and became a key carrier for U.S. military passenger flights. Here's a short history of Omni, plus the Omni Air collection that celebrates it.

A cargo start (1993-1997)

The airline was founded in March 1993 as Omni Air Express. It began cargo operations with a Boeing 727 freighter. In 1997 it took the name Omni Air International and started flying passengers with McDonnell Douglas DC-10s.

A passenger charter airline (1998-2011)

In 1998 Omni sold its 727 freighters to focus on passenger flying. Between 1998 and 2000 it added three used DC-10-30s and began international charters and wet leases, including flights for the U.S. Department of Defense. The Boeing 757-200 joined the fleet in April 2003 for leisure flying such as Las Vegas to Honolulu. The Boeing 767-300ER followed in August 2009, and the Boeing 777-200ER entered service in April 2011. Omni also added the 767-200ER in 2011 and retired its last DC-10s that year. The 757s left in 2012.

New owners and big missions (2018-today)

Air Transport Services Group (ATSG) bought Omni on November 9, 2018, for $845 million. In September 2019, Omni helped fly British travelers home after Thomas Cook Airlines collapsed, under contract to the UK Civil Aviation Authority. In August 2021 Omni gave three aircraft to the Civil Reserve Air Fleet activation for the evacuation of Afghanistan. Private equity firm Stonepeak completed its purchase of ATSG on April 11, 2025. As of 2025 Omni flew about 15 Boeing 767s and 777-200ERs from its base at Hangar 19, Tulsa International Airport.

A few things collectors love

  • Omni flew the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 on passenger charters for about 14 years, from 1997 to 2011.
  • Its home is Hangar 19 at Tulsa International Airport in Oklahoma.
  • Omni's widebodies have carried U.S. troops around the world as part of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet.

Shop Omni Air International

Browse Omni Air International logo T-shirts, coffee mugs, coasters, tote bags and vintage designs in the Omni Air International collection. Add an airline bag tag or key tag for the frequent flyer in your life.

AirlineEmployeeShop.com is an independent retailer of airline memorabilia. This page is for historical interest and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Omni Air International.