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April 14, 2022

It is our pleasure to invite you to the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Air Transport Services Group, Inc. The meeting will be held at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, and will be a webcast meeting of stockholders.

You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting, vote and submit your questions in advance of and real-time during the meeting via a live audio webcast by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ATSG2022. To participate in the meeting, you must have your sixteen-digit control number that is shown on your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or on your proxy card if you receive the proxy materials by mail. You will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person. The Annual Meeting is being held on a virtual-only basis in order to save time and travel expense for our stockholders and facilitate participation by the broadest number of stockholders possible.

Attendance at the Annual Meeting is limited to stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 28, 2022, or their duly appointed proxies. We strongly encourage you to participate by voting your proxy in one of the methods explained in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders that you received in the mail.

This year we have once again elected to furnish proxy materials to the majority of our stockholders via the Internet. This delivery process allows us to provide stockholders with the information they need in an accessible format, while lowering the costs of delivery and reducing the environmental impact of your Annual Meeting.

Please read the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement carefully. Your vote is important. The Board of Directors recommends that you vote your shares as follows for each proposal included in the Proxy Statement.

On behalf of your Board of Directors, we thank you for your continued support. Your interest and investment in the Company is greatly appreciated.

 

Notice is hereby given that the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Air Transport Services Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), has been called and will be held on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time. The Annual Meeting will be held virtually and can be accessed online at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ATSG2022. There is no physical location for the Annual Meeting.

The meeting is being held for the following purposes:

You may vote in advance of the meeting via the Internet, by telephone, or by using the proxy card that will be enclosed with these materials (if you received a printed copy of the proxy materials). If you intend to use the proxy card, please mark, date and sign it, then return it promptly in the postage-paid envelope that comes with the card. If you intend to vote over the telephone or via the Internet, please follow the instructions on your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or your proxy card (if you received a printed copy of the proxy materials). Your vote is important!

You may revoke your proxy at any time before the vote is taken at the virtual Annual Meeting. If you are a stockholder of record, you may change your vote by (1) granting a new proxy bearing a later date (which automatically revokes the earlier proxy) using any of the methods described above (and until the applicable deadline for each method); (2) providing a written notice of revocation to the Corporate Secretary at Air Transport Services Group, Inc., 145 Hunter Drive, Wilmington, Ohio 45177, prior to your shares being voted; or (3) participating in the virtual Annual Meeting and voting. Attendance at the virtual Annual Meeting will not cause your previously granted proxy to be revoked unless you vote at the meeting and specifically so request. For shares you hold beneficially in “street name,” you may change your vote by submitting new voting instructions to your broker, bank, trustee or nominee following the instructions they provided, or, if you have obtained a legal proxy from your broker, bank, trustee or nominee giving you the right to vote your shares, by attending the online meeting and voting.

We will be hosting the Annual Meeting live via the Internet. You will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person. Any stockholder can listen to and participate in the meeting live via the Internet at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ATSG2022. The webcast will start at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. You will need the sixteen-digit control number that is included on your Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or your proxy card (if you received a printed copy of the proxy materials) to vote and submit questions while attending the meeting online. If you do not have your sixteen-digit control number, you will only be able to listen to the Annual Meeting.

The Annual Meeting is being held on a virtual-only basis in order to save time and travel expense for our stockholders and facilitate participation by the broadest number of stockholders possible, while providing substantially the same access and exchange with the Board and Management as an in-person meeting. We believe that we are observing best practices for virtual stockholder meetings, including by providing a support line for technical and other assistance and addressing as many stockholder questions as time allows. Additional information on how you can participate in the virtual Annual Meeting to the fullest extent is set forth under the heading “Questions and Answers about the Proxy and Annual Meeting,” starting on page 9 of this Proxy Statement.

The foregoing matters are described in more detail in the Proxy Statement that is available at www.proxyvote.com prior to the day of the Annual Meeting or at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ATSG2022 on the day of and during the Annual Meeting.

Only holders of record of shares of common stock of the Company as of the close of business on March 28, 2022, will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments thereof.

YOU ARE URGED TO VOTE AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE BY USING THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING. YOU MAY ALSO REQUEST A PAPER COPY OF THESE MATERIALS, WHICH WILL INCLUDE A PROXY CARD. THEN, YOU MAY VOTE BY FILLING IN, SIGNING AND RETURNING THE PROXY CARD IN THE PROVIDED ENVELOPE.

We welcome and have long-standing, active engagement with our stockholders, and we regularly share our stockholders’ perspectives with the Board. Our senior management holds quarterly conference calls with investors and analysts to discuss and answer questions concerning the Company’s business and financial results. While COVID-19 continued to curtail investor-related travel during 2021, we were nevertheless able to speak with dozens of current and prospective investors through our participation in eight investor conferences and many one-on-one meetings held virtually or in-person during the year. We also seek to engage with stockholders and analysts through our website, other virtual meetings and calls, and the use of various media to convey key investment messages. Stockholders may communicate directly with our Board via the procedures set forth under “Communications with the Board” on page 27.

The Board, in consultation with the Nominating and Governance Committee, regularly reviews our corporate governance and adjusts as necessary to maintain leading governance practices. The following corporate governance and Board practices ensure accountability and enhance effectiveness in the boardroom:

 

 

You are being asked to vote on the following nine nominees for director. The Company’s Bylaws provide that, in an uncontested election, all directors are elected annually by a majority of the votes cast. All nominees meet the independence standards of NASDAQ and the Certificate of Incorporation as currently in effect, except for Mr. Hete by virtue of his former employment as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Mr. Corrado by virtue of his employment as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Information about each director’s experience, qualifications, attributes and skills can be found beginning on page 16.

C – Chairperson   M – Member

Board Diversity Matrix

We provide below enhanced disclosure regarding the diversity of our Board, utilizing the template included in Nasdaq Rule 5605(f). Each of the categories listed in the table below has the meaning as it is used in Nasdaq Rule 5605(f). This information has been collected from each of our board members and they have voluntarily self-identified their gender and demographic background.

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Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, examined the financial statements of the Company for 2021 and has been selected by the Audit Committee of the Board to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2022. We are asking the stockholders to ratify the Audit Committee’s selection.

We are asking stockholders to approve an advisory resolution on the Company's compensation of its named executive officers as reported in this Proxy Statement. The Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors believe that the compensation policies and practices of the Company articulated in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” contained in this Proxy Statement are effective in achieving our goals, and that the compensation program for our named executive officers reported in this Proxy Statement has contributed to the Company's success. We are committed to effective compensation governance, as demonstrated by the following compensation policies and practices:

We are asking stockholders to approve an amendment and restatement of the Company’s 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to reflect the following material changes: (i) increase the number of shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company currently available for issuance under the Plan by 3,000,000 shares; (ii) extend the term of the Plan to May 25, 2032, the 10^th anniversary of the Annual Meeting; (iii) update the Plan to include new requirements and limitations reflecting current best corporate practices, including the requirement of a minimum one-year vesting period for all types of awards granted under the Plan, subject to customary exceptions set forth in the Plan; and (iv) revise the Plan to reflect changes in Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Because we believe equity compensation is a valuable tool to attract and retain exceptional personnel, motivate performance and align the interests of our personnel with the interests of our stockholders, we believe that adoption of the Amended Plan is critically important to our continued success.

 

This Proxy Statement is provided in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors” or the “Board”) of Air Transport Services Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company” or “ATSG”), for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on May 25, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, via a live audio webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ATSG2022, and at any adjournments thereof. Proxies may be solicited in person, by telephone or mail, and the costs thereof will be borne by the Company.

The proxy materials, including this Proxy Statement, proxy card (if you received a printed copy of the proxy materials) and the Company’s 2021 Annual Report, are being distributed and made available on or about April 14, 2022. This Proxy Statement contains important information for you to consider when deciding how to vote on the matters brought before the Annual Meeting. Please read it carefully.

In accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the Company has elected to provide stockholders access to proxy materials over the Internet. Accordingly, a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) was mailed on or about April 14, 2022, to stockholders of record who owned common stock at the close of business on March 28, 2022 (the “Record Date”). Stockholders will have the ability to access the proxy materials on the website referred to in the Notice or request that a printed set of the proxy materials be sent to them by following the instructions in the Notice.

At the Annual Meeting, the holders of shares of common stock of the Company as of the Record Date will: (1) vote to elect nine directors for a term of one year and until their successors have been elected and qualified; (2) vote on a proposal to ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for fiscal year 2022; (3) hold an advisory vote on executive compensation; (4) vote on a Company proposal to amend and restate the Company’s 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan; (5) vote on a stockholder proposal requesting to give holders in the aggregate of 10% of the Company’s outstanding common stock the right to call special meetings; and (6) transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any adjournments thereof.

The Annual Meeting is being held on a virtual-only basis in order to save time and travel expense for our stockholders compared to a physical meeting and enable participation by the broadest number of stockholders possible. We are one of many Delaware publicly traded companies that hold virtual-only meetings. We are confident in the technology and believe that it enables stockholders to participate in the Annual Meeting more easily.

We are committed to ensuring that our stockholders have substantially the same opportunities to participate in the virtual Annual Meeting as they would at an in-person meeting. In order to submit a question at the Annual Meeting, you will need your 16-digit control number that is printed on the Notice or proxy card that you received in the mail, or via email if you have elected to receive material electronically. You may log in 15 minutes before the start of the Annual Meeting and submit questions online. You will be able to submit questions during the Annual Meeting as well. We encourage you to submit any question that is relevant to the business of the meeting. All appropriate questions asked during the Annual Meeting will be read and addressed during the meeting. Stockholders are encouraged to log into the webcast at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting to test their Internet connectivity.

We have provided a toll-free technical support “help line” that can be accessed by any stockholder who is having challenges logging into or participating in the virtual Annual Meeting. If you encounter any difficulties accessing the virtual meeting during the check-in or meeting time, please call the technical support line number that will be posted on the Virtual Shareholder Meeting login page.

A proxy is a person or entity authorized to act for another person. In this instance, the Board of Directors has appointed a Proxy Committee to vote the shares represented by proxy forms submitted by stockholders to us prior to the Annual Meeting. Giving the Proxy Committee your proxy means that you authorize the Proxy Committee to vote your shares on your behalf at the Annual Meeting as you specifically instruct on your proxy card for each proposal, or if a matter that is not raised on the proxy card comes up for a vote at the Annual Meeting, in accordance with the Proxy Committee’s best judgment.

The Proxy Committee consists of Joseph C. Hete, our Chairman of the Board, and Randy D. Rademacher, our Lead Independent Director.

The document you are reading is a Proxy Statement. It is intended to provide our stockholders with information necessary to vote in an informed manner on matters to be presented at the Annual Meeting. It is sent in conjunction with a solicitation of your proxy.

You may receive more than one Proxy Statement or proxy card if you hold our stock in different ways (e.g., joint tenancy, in trust, or in a custodial account) or in multiple accounts.

The Board of Directors is soliciting your proxy to vote at the Annual Meeting because, at the close of business on March 28, 2022, the Record Date, you were: (i) a “stockholder of record,” which means that you were shown on our records as the owner of our common stock, or (ii) the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name.” All stockholders of record are entitled to vote at the meeting. It is important that as many stockholders as possible vote on the issues to be decided at the Annual Meeting. The process of soliciting proxies is intended to increase the number of stockholders who vote on those issues. In addition, stockholders who vote by proxy are deemed to be in attendance at the meeting for purposes of determining if there is a quorum.

Stockholder of Record. If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare Investor Services, LLC (“Computershare”), you are considered the stockholder of record of those shares.

Beneficial Owner of Shares Held in “Street Name”. If your shares are held in an account at a bank, broker or other institution, then you are the “beneficial owner” of shares held in “street name.” The entity holding your account is considered the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to instruct that entity on how to vote the shares held in your account.

If your stock is held in “street name,” you will receive a notice, typically entitled “Voting Instruction Form” or something similar, either electronically or by mail from the bank, broker or other institution holding your stock. This notice contains instructions regarding how to access the proxy materials and how to vote.

Not on all matters. If you hold your shares in “street name” and want a vote to be cast on your behalf for all proposals described in this Proxy Statement, you must submit your specific voting instructions to the bank, broker or other institution holding the stock on your behalf in response to the notice you receive from it.

12. If I hold my stock in “street name” and do not provide specific voting instructions to the bank, broker or other institution holding it on my behalf, for which proposals will a vote not be cast on by behalf?

If you are a holder of shares in “street name” and you fail to provide specific voting instructions to the bank, broker or other institution holding the stock on your behalf, a vote will not be cast on your behalf with respect to the following proposals:

If you are a holder of shares in “street name” and you fail to provide specific voting instructions to the bank, broker or other institution holding the stock on your behalf, that entity may cast a vote on your behalf only with respect to the ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm (Proposal No. 2).

“Broker non-votes” occur when a broker (or a bank or other institution holding someone’s shares) returns a proxy, but does not vote the shares represented by that proxy on a particular proposal, usually because the beneficial owners of those shares have not provided direction to the holder on how to vote them and the holder does not have discretionary voting power with respect to the proposal. Broker non-votes are considered “present” at the meeting and are counted to determine whether there is a quorum present at the meeting. The effect of a broker non-vote on each of the proposals that is being submitted at the Annual Meeting is described below in the answer to Question 23.

If your shares are registered in your name, you will need to provide your sixteen-digit control number included on your Notice or your proxy card (if you receive a printed copy of the proxy materials) in order to be able to participate in the meeting. If your shares are not registered in your name (if, for instance, your shares are held in “street name” for you by your broker, bank or other institution), you must follow the instructions printed on your Voting Instruction Form. In order to participate in the Annual Meeting, please log on to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ATSG2022 at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the Annual Meeting to provide time to register and download the required software, if needed. The webcast replay will be available at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ATSG2022 until the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. If you access the meeting but do not enter your control number, you will be able to listen to the proceedings, but you will not be able to vote or otherwise participate.

If you are a stockholder of record and provide your sixteen-digit control number when you access the meeting, you may vote all shares registered in your name during the Annual Meeting webcast. If you are not a stockholder of record as to any of your shares (i.e., instead of being registered in your name, all or a portion of your shares are registered in “street name” and held by your broker, bank or other institution for your benefit), you must follow the instructions printed on your Voting Instruction Form.

Yes. If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote over the telephone or via the Internet in advance of the Annual Meeting. The Notice or proxy card that you received in the mail contains instructions for voting by these methods. If you hold your shares in “street name,” you must follow the instructions contained in the Voting Instruction Form provided to you by the broker, bank or other institution holding your shares on your behalf.

You are entitled to one vote for each share of our common stock that you held as of the close of business on March 28, 2022.

If you would like to submit a question during the Annual Meeting, once you have logged into the webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/ATSG2022, simply type your question in the “ask a question” box and click “submit”.

Each year at the Annual Meeting, we hold a question-and-answer session following the adjournment of the meeting during which stockholders may submit questions to us. We anticipate having such a question-and-answer session at the 2022 Annual Meeting. You can submit a question up to 15 minutes prior to the start of the Annual Meeting and up until the time we indicate that the question-and-answer session is concluded. However, we encourage you to submit your questions before or during the formal business portion of the meeting and our prepared statements, in advance of the question-and-answer session, in order to ensure that there is adequate time to address questions in an orderly manner.

In the context of the Annual Meeting, a quorum is the presence at the meeting, either virtually or by proxy, of stockholders holding the minimum number of shares of stock necessary to make the proceedings of that meeting valid under our By-laws and applicable law. More specifically, the presence of stockholders at the meeting, virtually or represented by proxy, holding a majority of our issued and outstanding shares constitutes a quorum. As of March 28, 2022, there were 74,337,226 issued and outstanding shares of our common stock, which is the only class of stock outstanding. The number of shares necessary to constitute a quorum in the context of the Annual Meeting is 37,168,614.

You may vote “FOR”, “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN” with respect to each proposal.

Please note that the results of the votes regarding the ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm (Proposal No. 2), the advisory vote on executive compensation (Proposal No. 3), and the Stockholder Proposal (Proposal No. 5) are non-binding.

If you indicate on your proxy card that you wish to “ABSTAIN” from voting with respect to a particular proposal, your shares will not be voted with respect to that proposal. Your shares, however, will be considered “present” at the meeting and will be counted to determine whether there is a quorum present at the Annual Meeting. The effect of an “ABSTAIN” vote on each of the proposals that is being submitted at the Annual Meeting is described above in the answer to Question 23.

Proxies and ballots will be received and tabulated by, and the inspector of election will be from, an independent firm that is not affiliated with the Company. Subject to the below exceptions to the confidential voting policy, comments on written proxy cards will be provided to the Secretary of the Company without disclosing the vote unless the vote is necessary to understand the comment.

If you timely return a signed and dated proxy card, but do not mark how your shares are to be voted, those shares will be voted by the proxies in accordance with the Board’s recommendations, which are: FOR the election of each of the Board’s nominees as a director of the Company (Proposal 1); FOR Proposal 2; FOR Proposal 3; FOR Proposal 4; and AGAINST Proposal 5.

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote your shares:

To comply with restrictions imposed by federal law on foreign ownership of U.S. airlines, our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (“Certificate of Incorporation”), restricts foreign ownership of shares of our voting stock, which currently consists solely of our common stock. The restrictions imposed by federal law currently require that no more than 25% of our voting stock be owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by persons who are not United States citizens.

Our Certificate of Incorporation generally provides that ownership or control of (i) 25% or more of the issued and outstanding voting stock of the Company (the “Maximum Voting Percentage”) or (ii) shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to receive 50% or more of the Company's dividends, distributions or proceeds upon liquidation (the “Maximum Economic Percentage”), by persons who are not citizens of the United States, as defined in 49 U.S.C. §40102(a)(15), is prohibited. Under §40102(a)(15), the term “citizen of the United States” is defined as: (i) an individual who is a citizen of the United States; (ii) a partnership each of whose partners is an individual who is a citizen of the United States; or (iii) a corporation or association organized under the laws of the United States or a State, the District of Columbia, or a territory or possession of the United States, of which the president and at least two-thirds of the board of directors and other managing officers are citizens of the United States, which is under the actual control of citizens of the United States, and in which at least 75% of the voting interest is owned or controlled by persons that are citizens of the United States.

Our Certificate of Incorporation further generally provides that a transfer of shares of the voting stock of the Company to a non-U.S. citizen shall not be valid, except between the parties to the transfer, until the transfer shall have been registered on a separate stock record (the “Foreign Stock Record”) that is maintained by the Company. The Certificate of Incorporation further generally provides that: (i) no shares of our voting stock may be voted by or at the direction of non-U.S. citizens unless such shares are registered on the Foreign Stock Record, and (ii) no shares of our voting stock will be registered on the Foreign Stock Record if the amount so registered would exceed the Maximum Voting Percentage or the Maximum Economic Percentage. Any holder of the Company's voting stock who is not a United States citizen and has not registered its shares on the Foreign Stock Record maintained by us will not be permitted to vote its shares at the Annual Meeting. By signing the proxy card or otherwise appointing one or more representatives of the Company to serve as proxies, the stockholder certifies that such stockholder is a United States citizen as that term is defined in 49 U.S.C. §40102(a)(15) or that the shares represented by the proxy card have been registered on our Foreign Stock Record. As of the Record Date, shares representing less than the Maximum Voting Percentage and the Maximum Economic Percentage are registered on the Foreign Stock Record.

You may revoke your proxy at any time before the vote is taken at the virtual Annual Meeting. If you are a stockholder of record, you may change your vote by (i) granting a new proxy bearing a later date (which automatically revokes the earlier proxy), including by means of a telephone or Internet vote; (ii) providing a written notice of revocation to the Corporate Secretary at Air Transport Services Group, Inc., 145 Hunter Drive, Wilmington, Ohio 45177, prior to your shares being voted; or (iii) participating in the virtual Annual Meeting and voting. Attendance at the virtual meeting will not cause your previously granted proxy to be revoked unless you vote at the meeting or specifically so request. For shares you hold beneficially in “street name,” you may

change your vote by submitting new voting instructions to your broker, bank, trustee or nominee following the instructions they provided, or, if you have obtained a legal proxy from your broker, bank, trustee or nominee giving you the right to vote your shares, by attending the virtual Annual Meeting and voting.

It is the policy of the Company that all proxy cards, ballots and vote tabulations that identify the vote of a specific stockholder on any matter submitted for a vote of stockholders be kept secret from the Company and its directors, officers and employees, except when (i) disclosure is required by applicable law or regulation, (ii) a stockholder expressly requests such disclosure, or (iii) in a contested proxy solicitation.

Proxies may be solicited by directors, executive officers, and other employees of the Company in person or by telephone or mail only for use at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof. The Company has retained Georgeson LLC (“Georgeson”) to assist with the solicitation of proxies for a project management fee of $13,000, plus reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses. The Company may also engage Georgeson to solicit proxies by telephone for a reasonable additional fee determined on a per-completed-call basis. All solicitation costs will be borne by the Company.

If you share an address with another stockholder and we sent you a notice of intent to send you a householded mailing, you may receive only one Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) unless you have provided contrary instructions. If you wish to receive a separate Notice now or in the future, you may write or call to request a separate copy from:

Air Transport Services Group, Inc.

145 Hunter Drive

Wilmington, Ohio 45177

Attn: Executive Assistant

Telephone: (937) 366-2296

Similarly, if you share an address with another stockholder and have received multiple copies of the Notice, you may write or call us at the above address and phone number to request that in the future, we deliver to you a single copy of the Notice.

To the Company’s knowledge, as of the Record Date, only the following stockholders beneficially owned more than 5% of the outstanding common stock of the Company:

The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation provides for no fewer than three and no more than twelve directors, as determined from time to time by the Board. The Board is currently comprised of the following ten members: Richard M. Baudouin, Phyllis J. Campbell, Richard F. Corrado, Joseph C. Hete, Raymond E. Johns, Jr., Laura J. Peterson, Randy D. Rademacher, J. Christopher Teets, Jeffrey J. Vorholt, and Paul S. Williams. The directors were each elected for a one-year term, which expires at the Annual Meeting.

On April 4, 2022, Mr. Baudouin informed the Board that he will not stand for reelection and intends to resign from the Board, effective on April 30, 2022. The Board and management express their sincere gratitude to Mr. Baudouin for his dedication and many years of service as a Director of the Company. In connection with his pending resignation, the Board, in accordance with the Company's Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”), acted by resolution to reduce the size of the Board from ten to nine members, effective as of the date of Mr. Baudouin’s resignation.

The nomination of all of the other current directors to stand for election at the Annual Meeting has been recommended by the Nominating and Governance Committee and approved by the Board. Each of the nominees, if elected, will serve for a one-year term expiring at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders in 2023 and until the nominee’s respective successor has been duly elected and qualified as provided under the Company's Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”). Each of the nominees has consented to being named in this Proxy Statement and to serve as a director, if elected. If any of the nominees becomes unavailable, the persons named in the proxy may vote for any substitute designated by the Nominating and Governance Committee. However, at this time, the Board has no reason to believe that this will occur. In an uncontested election, our Bylaws provide that a director nominee will be elected only if the nominee receives a majority of the votes cast with respect to such nominee’s election (that is, the number of shares voted “For” a director nominee must exceed the number of shares voted “Against” such nominee). Abstentions and broker non-votes have no effect on the vote. The process that will be followed by the Board in the event that a nominee does not receive a majority of the votes cast is described below under the heading entitled “Majority Voting.”

Set forth below is biographical information concerning each of the nominees for director at the Annual Meeting:

The Board of Directors held 12 meetings during 2021 and each director participated in 95% of the board meetings and meetings of the committees of the Board on which the director served during the year. Directors are expected to attend board meetings, meetings of the committees on which they serve, and the annual meeting of stockholders. All of the directors then in office attended the Company’s 2021 Annual Meeting.

The Board has determined that each of the current directors is independent within the meaning of the independence standards of NASDAQ and the Certificate of Incorporation, as currently in effect, except for Joseph C. Hete, by virtue of his former employment as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Richard F. Corrado, by virtue of his employment as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

J. Christopher Teets is a Partner of Red Mountain. In considering his independence, the Board considered the fact that Red Mountain is the beneficial owner of 58,594 shares of the Company (based solely on a Form 13F filed with the SEC on November 13, 2020), and concluded that his relationship with Red Mountain does not impact his independence as a director of the Company. As in prior years, the Board took into account that the Company and Red Mountain are parties to a confidentiality and standstill agreement that will remain in effect during Mr. Teets’ tenure as a director of the Company. The agreement imposes confidentiality obligations on Red Mountain and restrictions on its ability to: (i) acquire or agree to acquire, directly or indirectly, more than 17.49% of the issued and outstanding common stock of the Company or any assets of the Company or a subsidiary or division thereof; (ii) make, or in any way participate, directly or indirectly, in any “solicitation” of “proxies” to vote, as such terms are used in the rules of the SEC, or seek to advise or influence any person with respect to the voting of any securities of the Company; (iii) nominate or seek to nominate, directly or indirectly, any person to the Board of Directors; (iv) make any public announcement with respect to, or submit a proposal for, or offer of, any extraordinary transaction involving the Company or any of its securities or assets; (v) form, join or in any way participate in a “group” as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) in connection with any of the foregoing; (vi) otherwise act or seek to control or influence the Board of Directors or the management or policies of the Company; (vii) take any action that could reasonably be expected to require the Company to make a public announcement regarding the possibility of any of the events described in (i) through (v) above; or (viii) request for the Company, directly or indirectly, to amend or waive any of the foregoing provisions. In addition, the agreement provides that, for so long as the standstill provisions are in effect and Red Mountain were to beneficially own, directly or indirectly, in excess of 14.9% of the issued and outstanding common stock of the Company, Red Mountain will, except with the prior written consent of the Company or the Board, cause such shares of common stock representing the portion of Red Mountain's beneficial ownership in excess of 14.9% to be voted in accordance with the Board's publicly stated recommendations for voting on such matters.

The Bylaws provide that, in an uncontested election, each director must be elected by a majority of the votes cast. A “majority of the votes cast” means that the number of shares voted “For” a nominee exceeds the number of shares voted “Against” that nominee. The Bylaws include a director resignation policy providing that, in any uncontested election, in order for any person to become a nominee for the Board, that person must agree to resign from the Board if that nominee does not receive a majority of the votes cast and the Board determines to accept such resignation. In such circumstances, the Board, acting on the recommendation of the Nominating and Governance Committee (which is composed entirely of independent directors), shall, within 90 days of receiving the certified vote pertaining to such election, determine whether to accept the resignation of such unsuccessful nominee and, in making that determination, may consider any factors or other information that it deems appropriate or relevant. The Nominating and Governance Committee and the Board expect an unsuccessful incumbent to voluntarily recuse himself or herself from participation in such deliberations. The Company will promptly publicly disclose the Board's decision and, if applicable, the reasons for rejecting the tendered resignation in a Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC.

The majority voting standard does not apply, however, in a contested election of directors. An election is deemed to be a contested election if the number of nominees for election as directors at the meeting in question nominated by (i) the Board, (ii) any stockholder, or (iii) a combination thereof exceeds the number of directors to be elected. In such circumstances, directors are instead elected by a plurality of the votes cast, meaning that the nominees receiving the most votes are elected. The determination as to whether an election is a contested election is made as of the record date for the meeting in question. Once an election is determined to be a contested election, the plurality standard shall remain in effect through the completion of the meeting, regardless of whether the election ceases to be a contested election after the record date but prior to the meeting.

Because the number of director nominees timely nominated for election at the Annual Meeting does not exceed the number of directors to be elected, the election of directors at the Annual Meeting will not be contested. As a result, each of the directors must be elected by a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting.

The Company uses a combination of cash and long-term incentive compensation to attract and retain qualified candidates to serve on the Board. The Compensation Committee recommends to the Board for its approval the form and amount of compensation paid to the non-employee directors. The Committee reviews the compensation arrangements of the directors on an annual basis, which review includes an evaluation prepared on an annual or bi-annual basis by Willis Towers Watson, an executive compensation consulting firm, retained by the Compensation Committee. The evaluation considers the compensation arrangements for the directors of similar companies.

Like the executive officers, the non-employee directors are also subject to minimum stock ownership requirements. The non-employee directors are required to own and retain the minimum number of shares (including restricted stock units) totaling in value as of the date of grant or purchase, at least three times their annual retainer. Each director is expected to be in compliance with the ownership guidelines on or about the third anniversary of the date on which he or she was elected to the Board.

The non-employee directors are each paid an annual retainer for serving on the Board as well as an annual retainer for each of the standing committees of the Board on which they serve. During 2021, the annual retainer paid to each of the non-employee directors for serving on the Board was increased from $70,000 to $75,000, effective July 1, 2021, and the annual retainer paid to each of the non-employee directors for serving on a committee of the Board was $7,500. In addition, each non-employee director was entitled to be paid a $1,500 fee for each Board and committee meeting attended (of which the non-employee director is a member) that was in excess of a total aggregate amount of 18 Board and committee meetings during the fiscal year.

The Chairperson of the Board, the Lead Independent Director, and the chair of each of the standing committees of the Board also receive an additional annual fee. During 2021, (i) the Chairperson of the Board was paid an annual fee of $125,000; (iii) the annual fee paid to the Lead Independent Director was increased from $20,000 to $35,000, effective July 1, 2021, (ii) the annual fee paid to the Chair of the Audit Committee was increased from $17,000 to $20,000, effective July 1, 2021; and (iii) the annual fee paid to the Chair of the Compensation Committee and the Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee was increased from $10,000 to $12,500.

In addition to compensation for their Board and committee service, the directors are reimbursed during the year for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as directors, such as travel, meal and lodging expenses.

The long-term incentive compensation awards for the non-employee directors are comprised solely of restricted stock units. Following the approval of the Company’s Amended and Restated 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2005 LTI Plan”), restricted stock unit awards were granted to the Company’s non-employee directors on an annual basis. Under the 2005 LTI Plan, the restricted stock units settle on the date upon which the non-employee director’s board service ends. With the adoption of the Company’s 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2015 LTI Plan”), non-employee directors have continued to receive restricted stock unit awards on an annual basis. Under the 2015 LTI Plan, the restricted stock units will vest and settle on the first anniversary of the date of the grant, unless the non-employee director elects in advance to defer the settlement to either a specific date after the first anniversary of the date of the grant or the date upon which the non-employee director’s board service ends. The size of the grants are determined by the Board and are based on the Company’s periodic evaluation of the compensation arrangements of other companies prepared by Willis Towers Watson. Awards granted to each of the non-employee directors in March 2022 had a grant value of $110,000.

The table below summarizes the compensation paid by the Company to its non-employee directors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.

None of our directors or director nominees has any family relationships with any of our other directors or executive officers. There currently are no legal proceedings, and during the past 10 years there have been no legal proceedings, that are material to the evaluation of the ability or integrity of any of our directors or director nominees.

The Board has a standing Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Governance Committee. The Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Governance Committee each consists exclusively of independent directors.

The Audit Committee is currently composed of Jeffrey J. Vorholt, Chair, Richard M. Baudouin, Phyllis J. Campbell, Laura J. Peterson and Randy D. Rademacher. The Board has determined that Mr. Vorholt is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in the rules under the Exchange Act, and that he is independent under NASDAQ Marketplace Rules.

The Audit Committee is generally charged with the appointment, compensation, retention, evaluation and oversight of the work of the independent registered public accounting firm; reviewing and discussing with management and the independent registered public accounting firm the Company’s annual audited and quarterly consolidated financial statements; reviewing the internal audit function; overseeing the integrity, adequacy and effectiveness of the Company and its subsidiaries’ internal accounting and financial controls; and approving and monitoring the Company and its subsidiaries’ compliance with their codes of conduct. Also, in the performance of its oversight function, the Audit Committee reviews the Company and its subsidiaries’ compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Audit Committee works closely with management as well as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee has the authority to obtain advice and assistance, and receive appropriate funding, from the Company for outside legal, accounting or other advisors as the Audit Committee deems necessary to carry out its duties. The Committee held four meetings during 2021.

The Audit Committee performs its work under the guidance of a written charter that was initially approved by the Audit Committee and the Board in August 2003 and was most recently amended in November 2021. The charter of the Audit Committee is available through our Internet website at www.atsginc.com.

The Audit Committee has furnished the following report for inclusion in this Proxy Statement.

In the performance of its oversight function, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management and the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte (both alone and with management present), the Company's audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021. The Audit Committee discussed with Deloitte the matters required to be discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to AS1301 Communications with Audit Committees, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”). In addition, the Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from Deloitte required by PCAOB Ethics and Independence Rule 3526, “Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence,” as currently in effect, and has discussed with Deloitte their independence.

Based upon the review and discussions described in this report, the Audit Committee recommended that the Board of Directors include the audited consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Respectfully submitted,

The Audit Committee

Jeffrey J. Vorholt, Chair

Richard M. Baudouin

Phyllis J. Campbell

Laura J. Peterson

Randy D. Rademacher

The above report of the Audit Committee will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating this Proxy Statement into any filing of the Company with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates this information by reference and will not be deemed soliciting material or deemed filed under those Acts.

The Compensation Committee is currently composed of J. Christopher Teets, Chair, Raymond E. Johns, Jr., Randy D. Rademacher, Jeffrey J. Vorholt, and Paul S. Williams. The Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing, evaluating and making recommendations to the full Board regarding the Company and its subsidiaries’ overall compensation policies and establishing performance-based incentives that support long-term strategic goals, organizational objectives and stockholder interests. The Committee is also responsible for determining the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer based upon the achievement of goals and objectives that are approved by the Committee, and for considering and approving the compensation arrangements for the other executive officers of the Company. This includes base salaries, short-term and long-term incentive awards, equity-related awards, participation in any deferred compensation or retirement plans or arrangements, benefits and perquisites. The Committee also evaluates the target performance goals for the non-executive senior officers and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. In addition, the Committee oversees the administration of the Company and its subsidiaries' executive compensation plans, programs and arrangements, makes recommendations to the full Board with respect to succession planning for the Chief Executive Officer and other officers of the Company and its subsidiaries, and sets and reviews the compensation for the Board and committee members. The Committee held four meetings during 2021.

The Compensation Committee performs its work under the guidance of a written charter that was initially approved by the Compensation Committee and the Board in August 2003. The charter was most recently amended in November 2021. The Committee’s charter is available through our Internet website at www.atsginc.com.

The Nominating and Governance Committee is currently composed of Richard M. Baudouin, Chair, Phyllis J. Campbell, Raymond E. Johns, Jr., Laura J. Peterson, J. Christopher Teets, and Paul S. Williams. Mr. Williams has been appointed the Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee, effective upon Mr. Baudouin’s resignation from the Board on April 30, 2022. The Committee is generally charged with identifying individuals qualified to become members of the Board in accordance with the criteria approved by the Board; making recommendations to the full Board with respect to director nominees for each annual meeting of the stockholders; the oversight of environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) matters; developing and recommending to the Board a set of corporate governance principles applicable to the Company; and overseeing the evaluation of the Board and management. The Committee held four meetings during 2021.

The Nominating and Governance Committee performs its work under the guidance of a written charter that was initially approved by the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Board in March 2004 and was most recently amended in November 2021 as further discussed below under “Director Qualifications.” The Committee’s charter is available through our Internet website at www.atsginc.com.

The Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing and developing the Board’s criteria for evaluating and selecting new directors based on the needs of the Company from time to time. The criteria used in connection with evaluating and selecting new directors include those set forth in the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and Certificate of Incorporation. While these materials do not contain a formal diversity policy, the Charter of the Nominating and Governance Committee was amended in November 2021 for the purpose of mandating that, in reviewing and developing the Board’s criteria for selecting new directors, the initial list of candidates considered by the Committee (including a list provided by any third party engaged to assist with a director search) will include but need not be limited to, qualified underrepresented candidates (taking into account factors such as gender, race and ethnicity). Additionally, the Corporate Governance Guidelines seek to ensure that candidates can work constructively with people holding diverse viewpoints and can tolerate opposing views. The Corporate Governance Guidelines are available through our Internet website at www.atsginc.com.

In addition to the criteria set forth in the Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Committee will consider whether the director candidate meets the definition of independence set forth under NASDAQ Marketplace Rules, applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation, as well as the candidate’s skills, occupation and experience in the context of the needs of the Board. The Board will nominate new directors only from candidates identified, screened and approved by the Nominating and Governance Committee. The Nominating and Governance Committee and the Board will take into account the nature of and time involved in a director’s service on other boards in evaluating the suitability of individual directors and making its recommendation to the Company’s stockholders. Service on boards of other organizations must be consistent with the Company’s conflict of interest policies applicable to directors as set forth in the “Core Requirements” of the Company's “Code of Conduct for Conducting Business.”

The Board recognizes the importance of maintaining a board that is composed of directors with diverse backgrounds and expertise in order to ensure the effectiveness of the Board in its deliberations and in the oversight of the work of management. In addition to the criteria set forth in the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and the other considerations disclosed above under “Director Qualifications,” the Board likewise recognizes that diversity of race, gender, age and cultural and ethnic backgrounds can enhance the effectiveness of a board. In January 2021, the Board elected two new directors, increasing both the female and racial/ethnic minority representation on the Board.

The policy of the Nominating and Governance Committee is to consider for nomination by the Board, properly submitted stockholder recommendations of potential nominees for membership on the Board. In evaluating such nominees, the Nominating and Governance Committee seeks to achieve a balance of knowledge, experience and capability on the Board and to address the membership criteria set forth above under “Director Qualifications.” There are no differences in the manner in which the Committee evaluates nominees for director based on whether the nominee is recommended by a stockholder, except to the extent provided as follows: (i) such candidates must be able to meet with one or more members of the Committee and/or the Board upon request, and (ii) the stockholder must provide: (a) all written materials that would be necessary for a stockholder to make a nomination pursuant to the Bylaws, which materials must be submitted no later than the time permitted for a stockholder to make a director nomination pursuant to the Bylaws; and (b) other information requested by the Company reasonably related to the recommended individual’s qualifications as a nominee.

The Bylaws permit stockholders to nominate directors for election at an annual stockholders’ meeting without the prior recommendation of the Nominating and Governance Committee or the nomination of the Board, subject to compliance with applicable notice requirements in the Bylaws. Stockholder nominations to the Board of Directors for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be forwarded to the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee c/o Corporate Secretary, Air Transport Services Group, Inc., 145 Hunter Drive, Wilmington, Ohio 45177, so as to be received not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (May 25, 2023); provided, however, that in the event the date of the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is advanced or delayed by more than 30 days from such first

anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. Any nominations received after such date will be considered untimely. The written notice must satisfy certain requirements specified in the Bylaws. A copy of the Bylaws will be sent to any stockholder upon written request to the Secretary of the Company.

The Company adopted a set of Corporate Governance Guidelines in February 2005 to help the Board fulfill its responsibility to stockholders to oversee the work of management in the conduct of the Company’s business and to seek to serve the long-term interests of stockholders. The Guidelines are intended to ensure that the Board has the necessary authority and practices in place to review and evaluate the Company’s business operations as needed and to make decisions that are independent of the Company’s management. The Guidelines address such topics as the composition of the Board, the selection of Board members, Board independence, the procedures relating to, and the conduct of, Board and committee meetings, the compensation of directors and the Chief Executive Officer, risk oversight, director orientation and continuing education, periodic self-evaluations of the Board and committees, and other practices. The Corporate Governance Guidelines are available through our Internet website at www.atsginc.com.

The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics that sets forth the policies and business practices that apply to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. The Code of Ethics is in compliance with SEC rules and addresses such topics as compliance with laws; full, fair, accurate and timely disclosure of financial results; professional, honest and ethical conduct; conflicts of interest; and reporting procedures and accountability. The Code of Ethics is available through our Internet website at www.atsginc.com.

The Company has adopted a Code of Conduct for Conducting Business that sets forth the policies and business practices that apply to all of the Company’s employees and directors. The Code of Conduct addresses such topics as compliance with laws; moral and ethical conduct; equal employment opportunity; promoting a work environment free from harassment and discrimination; and the protection of intellectual property and proprietary information. The Code of Conduct for Conducting Business is available through our Internet website at www.atsginc.com.

The Company has adopted an Insider Trading Policy for the directors, executive officers and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, their family members, and specially designated outsiders who have access to the Company’s material nonpublic information. The policy seeks to ensure compliance with federal and state securities laws governing (i) trading in securities of the Company while in position of material nonpublic information concerning the Company, and (ii) tipping or disclosing material nonpublic information to outsiders. The policy provides for the Company to designate from time to time the directors and executive officers, including the named executive officers, that are subject to the reporting provisions and trading restrictions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and the underlying rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC (“Section 16 Individuals”), and well as certain key employees (“Key Employees”) who, because of their position with the Company, are likely to have access to material nonpublic information. The policy imposes blackout periods and trading windows on the Section 16 Individuals and Key Employees, including all of the directors and named executive officers, restricting their ability to trade in the Company’s securities during specified periods. The policy also prohibits Section 16 Individuals and Key Employees from entering into financial transactions designed to hedge or offset any decrease in the market value of the Company’s securities, holding Company securities in a margin account or pledging (or hypothecating) Company securities as collateral for a loan. The Insider Trading Policy is available through our Internet website at www.atsginc.com.

The charter of the Audit Committee requires the Audit Committee to review and consider whether to approve all related party transactions, as that term is defined in the applicable regulations of the SEC. Other than the matters set out below, the Company has not engaged in any related person transactions, as defined by Regulation S-K Item 404(a), since January 1, 2021, nor are there any transactions currently proposed. If any related person transactions arise, the Audit Committee will review and approve such transactions as it deems appropriate.

The Company has been providing freighter aircraft, airline operations and services for cargo handling and logistical support for Amazon.com Services, LLC ("ASI"), successor to Amazon.com Services, Inc., a subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc. ("Amazon") since September 2015. On March 8, 2016, the Company entered into an Air Transportation Services Agreement (the “ATSA”) with ASI, pursuant to which the Company’s aircraft leasing subsidiary leases Boeing 767 freighter aircraft to ASI. The ATSA also provides for the operation of aircraft by the Company’s airline subsidiaries, and the management of ground handling services by the Company's ground handling subsidiary. Under the ATSA, the Company operates aircraft based on pre-defined fees scaled for the number of aircraft hours flown, aircraft scheduled and flight crews provided to ASI for its network. The operating term of the ATSA runs through March 2026 and is thereafter subject to renewal provisions. Revenues from the Company’s commercial arrangements with ASI comprised approximately 35% of its consolidated revenues for 2021 ($1,734,282) and is estimated to comprise approximately 35% of its consolidated revenues for 2022. The Company is currently leasing 42 Boeing 767 freighter aircraft to ASI with lease expirations between 2023 and 2031. ASI has in turn subleased the aircraft to the Company’s airline subsidiaries for operation under the ATSA and has also leased or subleased five more ASI-provided aircraft to one of the Company’s airline subsidiaries for operation under the ATSA.

In conjunction with the execution of the ATSA, the Company and ASI entered into an Investment Agreement (the “2016 Investment Agreement”) and a Stockholders Agreement on March 8, 2016 (the “2016 Stockholders Agreement”), and a second Investment Agreement on December 20, 2018 (the “2018 Investment Agreement”). Pursuant to these Investment Agreements, the Company issued warrants to Amazon in conjunction with the lease of aircraft.

The 2016 Investment Agreement called for the Company to issue warrants in three tranches granting Amazon the right to acquire up to 19.9% of the Company’s outstanding common shares as described below. The first tranche of warrants, issued upon the execution of the 2016 Investment Agreement, granted Amazon the right to purchase approximately 12.81 million of the Company’s common shares, with the first 7.69 million common shares vesting upon issuance on March 8, 2016, and the remaining 5.12 million common shares vesting as the Company leased aircraft to Amazon under the ATSA. The second tranche of warrants, which were issued and vested on March 8, 2018, granted Amazon the right to purchase approximately 1.59 million of the Company’s common shares. The third tranche of warrants vested on September 8, 2020, and granted Amazon the right to purchase an additional 0.5 million of the Company’s common shares to bring Amazon’s ownership, after the exercise in full of the three tranches of warrants, to 19.9% of the Company’s pre-transaction outstanding common shares measured on a GAAP-diluted basis, adjusted for share issuances and repurchases by the Company following the date of the 2016 Investment Agreement and after giving effect to the warrants granted. The exercise price of the 14.9 million warrants issued under the 2016 Investment Agreement was $9.73 per share, which represented the closing price of ATSG’s common shares on February 9, 2016. Each of the three tranches of warrants were exercisable in accordance with their terms through March 8, 2021 (subject to extension if regulatory approvals, exemptions, authorizations, consents or clearances had not been obtained by such date).

On December 20, 2018, the Company expanded its commercial arrangements with Amazon and in conjunction therewith, entered into the 2018 Investment Agreement and an Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement (the “Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement”), which replaced the 2016 Stockholders Agreement. Pursuant to the 2018 Investment Agreement, the Company issued additional warrants to Amazon for 14.8 million common shares, all of which have vested. This group of warrants will expire if not exercised within seven years from their issuance date, in December of 2025 (subject to extension if regulatory approvals, exemptions, authorizations, consents or clearances have not been obtained by such date). The warrants have an exercise price of $21.53 per share. Thereafter, on May 29, 2020, the Company further expanded its commercial arrangements with Amazon and issued additional warrants to Amazon for 7.0 million common shares, all of which have vested. These warrants will expire if not exercised by December 20, 2025 (subject to extension if regulatory approvals, exemptions, authorizations, consents or clearances have not been obtained by such date). The exercise price of these warrants is $20.40 per share.

Amazon can also earn incremental warrant rights for up to an additional 2.9 million common shares under the 2018 Investment Agreement by leasing up to five more cargo aircraft from the Company before January 2026. Incremental warrants granted for ASI’s commitment to any such future aircraft leases will have an exercise price based on the volume-weighted average price of the Company's shares during the 30 trading days immediately preceding the contractual commitment for each lease.

For all outstanding warrants vested, Amazon may select a cashless conversion option. Assuming ATSG's stock price at the time of conversion is above the warrant exercise price, Amazon would receive fewer shares in exchange for any warrants exercised under the cashless option by surrendering the number of shares with a market value equal to the exercise price.

The warrants include a beneficial ownership limitation, which provides that Amazon is prohibited from exercising the warrants for such number of shares of common stock as would exceed a specified percentage of the number of the Company’s outstanding common shares after giving effect to any exercise of the warrants. The initial beneficial ownership limitation was 4.999% of the Company’s outstanding common stock, and is currently 19.999% of the Company’s outstanding common stock. Amazon has the

right to change the beneficial ownership limitation from time to time, provided that such change will not be effective until the 61^st day after notice of the change is given to the Company.

The Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement permits Amazon to appoint one director to the ATSG Board of Directors (the “Board”), subject to meeting customary eligibility requirements, once it holds at least 10% of ATSG’s outstanding common shares measured on a GAAP-diluted basis and thereafter to nominate one director to the slate of directors eligible for election at each annual stockholders’ meeting. The Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement also: (i) permits Amazon to designate a non-voting observer, subject to customary eligibility requirements, that may attend meetings of the Board and its committees prior to Amazon actually holding at least 10% of ATSG’s outstanding common shares measured on a GAAP-diluted basis; (ii) subjects ATSG to certain negative covenants once Amazon actually holds at least 10% of the outstanding ATSG common shares measured on a GAAP-diluted basis; (iii) provides Amazon with certain information and registration rights; (iv) imposes certain restrictions on Amazon with respect to the transfer of warrants and warrant shares; (v) subjects Amazon to certain standstill provisions; and (vi) requires Amazon to vote its ATSG common shares in excess of 14.9% in accordance with the recommendations of the Board during the standstill period. Amazon has not exercised its right to appoint a director to the Board.

On March 5, 2021, Amazon exercised warrants from the 2016 Investment Agreement for 865,548 shares of the Company’s common stock through a cashless exercise by forfeiting 480,047 warrants from the 2016 Investment Agreement as payment. Also on March 5, 2021, Amazon notified the Company of its intent to exercise warrants from the 2016 Investment agreement for 13,562,897 shares of the Company’s common stock by paying $132.0 million in cash to the Company and as permitted by the terms of the warrants, Amazon amended the beneficial ownership limitation from 4.999% to 19.999%. This exercise was contingent upon the approval of the United States Department of Transportation, the expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period pursuant to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, and the effectiveness of the amendment to the beneficial ownership limitation. After receiving all required regulatory approvals and clearances and the effectiveness of the amendment to the beneficial ownership limitation, Amazon remitted the funds to the Company on May 7, 2021, and the Company issued the corresponding shares of common stock, completing the warrant exercise. No warrants issued under the 2106 Investment Agreement remain unexercised.

The ATSA, the 2016 Investment Agreement, the 2018 Investment Agreement, the Stockholders Agreement, and the Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement were entered into before Amazon became a related party of the Company, as defined by Regulation S-K Item 404(a). Accordingly, these agreements were considered and approved by the full Board, but were not separately approved by the Audit Committee under the Audit Committee’s charter. So long as Amazon and ASI remain related parties of the Company, all future agreements or commercial arrangements or modifications of existing agreements with those parties or any of their affiliates will be reviewed, considered and, subject to the Audit Committee’s discretion, approved, by the Audit Committee in addition to any separate approval required of the full Board.

The independent directors of the Company meet in executive session (with no management directors, non-independent directors or management present) on a regular basis and upon the request of one or more independent directors, usually in conjunction with Board and committee meetings. The sessions are scheduled and chaired by the Lead Independent Director or the Chair of the pertinent committee, who is in each case an independent director. The executive sessions include those topics the independent directors deem appropriate.

Stockholders and other parties interested in communicating directly with the Company’s directors or with the non-management directors as a group may do so by writing to the Corporate Secretary at Air Transport Services Group, Inc., 145 Hunter Drive, Wilmington, Ohio 45177. Concerns relating to accounting, internal controls or auditing matters are immediately brought to the attention of the Company’s internal audit department and handled in accordance with procedures established by the Audit Committee with respect to such matters.

The Company’s Bylaws and Corporate Governance Guidelines provide the Board of Directors with the discretion to separate or combine the positions of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, provided that in the event the positions are combined, or the Chairman of the Board is not independent, a lead independent director position is established.

In deciding whether to separate the offices of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer or to combine those offices and appoint a Lead Independent Director, the Board considers what is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, taking into consideration the skills and experience of the individual or individuals filling those positions and other relevant factors.

Mr. Hete served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company from 2003 until his retirement in May 2020, whereupon he was elected as the Chairman of the Board and, in conjunction therewith, Mr. Rademacher was elected to serve as the Lead Independent Director. In connection with Mr. Hete’s retirement, the Board appointed Mr. Corrado as the Chief Executive Officer and he was also elected to the Board. It is anticipated that Mr. Hete will continue to serve as the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Rademacher will continue to serve as the Lead Independent Director, and Mr. Corrado will continue to serve as the Chief Executive Officer and a Director, subject to each of them being re-elected at the Annual Meeting.

Based on the foregoing, the Board has determined that a leadership structure with separate positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer continues to be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders at this time. This structure enables the Chairman and Lead Independent Director to focus on managing the Board’s affairs, including organizational and functional effectiveness, and fulfilling the Board’s fiduciary and other responsibilities. The Chief Executive Officer remains involved in this process by updating the Chairman and the Board in its entirety regarding the day-to-day management of the Company. While the Company has established separate roles for the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, they both play a vital role in the management of the Company and must work together closely in order to maximize the Company’s potential.

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that (i) a majority of the directors of the Company shall be “independent directors” as that term is defined in the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules; and (ii) the Chief Executive Officer will be the only employee of the Company who also serves as a director of the Company. As described above under “Independence,” seven of our nine director nominees are independent. In addition, all of the members of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Governance Committee are, and will continue to be, independent directors.

The independent directors meet in executive session (with no management directors, non-independent directors or management present) on a regular basis (typically at the time of each quarterly board meeting) and upon the request of one or more independent directors. The Lead Independent Director presides over such executive sessions.

Our Board conducts an annual evaluation to determine whether it and its committees are functioning effectively. As a part of the annual self-evaluation, the Board considers whether the current leadership structure continues to be appropriate for the Company and its stockholders. In addition, the Board reviews the structure of Board and Company leadership as part of the succession planning process.

The Board recognizes that it has the primary responsibility for risk oversight, with the Board's standing committees supporting the Board by addressing the risks inherent in their respective areas of oversight. In meeting its responsibilities, the Board seeks to (i) concentrate on the broader risk implications of a strategic direction, while allowing the committees to focus on specific areas of risk, (ii) ensure that management has implemented appropriate systems to manage risk, and (iii) ensure that it is providing effective risk oversight through its committee structure and oversight processes.

The Compensation Committee believes that the compensation paid to its executive officers should assist the Company in attracting and retaining talented leaders and encouraging a high level of effective and ethical management in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, while at the same time avoiding the encouragement of unnecessary or excessive risk taking. To this end, the Compensation Committee strives to ensure that the Company’s executive compensation program is competitive with that of similarly situated companies and rewards the achievement of short and long-term goals that align the interests of its executives and stockholders in seeking to increase stockholder value.

Throughout this Proxy Statement, the individuals who served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer during fiscal year 2021, as well as the other individuals included in the “Summary Compensation Table” below, are referred to as the “named executive officers.”

The Compensation Committee considers recommendations from the Chief Executive Officer with respect to the base salaries of the named executive officers (other than himself) and the performance measures to be utilized under the Company's short-term incentive compensation plan. In making his recommendations, the Chief Executive Officer utilizes materials prepared by Willis Towers Watson, as further described below, including a peer group analysis, and completes an objective and subjective review of each executive’s responsibilities and performance over the prior year. The Chief Executive Officer plays no role in the compensation process and is not present during voting or deliberations, with respect to his own compensation.

The Compensation Committee ordinarily meets during the first half of each year to review the base salaries for each of the executive officers and to approve incentive awards for the previous year based upon previously established performance measures. All changes to base salaries are typically effective on July 1st for the year in which they are set. The Compensation Committee has traditionally authorized the grant of equity awards under the Company's long-term term incentive plan no earlier than the close of the market on the second or third full trading day after the issuance of the Company’s earnings for the fourth quarter and year-end.

During the first half of the year, the Compensation Committee also typically establishes incentive goals for the current year based upon the Chief Executive Officer’s recommendations.

The Compensation Committee is authorized to retain the services of independent advisers to assist it in carrying out its responsibilities. In 2021, the Compensation Committee engaged Willis Towers Watson to prepare a competitive executive compensation assessment for the named executive officers and an update with respect to executive compensation trends and developments. The assessment was based on general industry compensation survey data, and an analysis of the proxy statements of 13 publicly traded transportation industry competitors, logistics companies and regional airlines. The revenue scope used to adjust the general industry compensation survey data to the Company’s size was $1.57 billion, which represented approximately an 8% increase from the Company’s projected revenues for 2020 that were used in the previous analysis prepared by Willis Towers Watson. The proxy peer group (with median revenues of $1.3 billion) consisted of the same companies that were used in the previous analysis prepared by Willis Towers Watson, and were as follows:

The 2021 assessment included: (i) a review of the Company's current executive compensation program and its components; (ii) a comparison of the named executive officers' compensation, including base salary, target bonus opportunities, target total cash compensation, long-term incentive opportunities and target total direct compensation relative to the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles for executives holding comparable positions based on general industry survey data; and (iii) a comparison of the components of the compensation of each of the named executive officers relative to their counterparts in the proxy peer group.

The assessment established compensation guidelines for the named executive officers, providing data on the 25th, 50th (median) and 75th percentile pay levels in the competitive market. The Compensation Committee has identified the 50th (median) percentile as the targeted pay level.

The Compensation Committee utilized the competitive compensation assessment in evaluating the ongoing competitiveness of the Company's compensation arrangements for 2021. In this regard, the general industry survey data and proxy peer group analysis contained in the competitive compensation assessment constituted a material component of the Compensation Committee’s evaluation of the Company’s compensation arrangements for 2021 with respect to the named executive officers. The Compensation Committee, in consultation with Willis Towers Watson, determined that the Company’s executive compensation program was structured appropriately and in keeping with current trends and best practice design.

To minimize the potential for conflicts of interest, our policy is to limit the use of Willis Towers Watson to only executive and director compensation and benefits matters. Further, the Compensation Committee has the sole authority to retain or terminate Willis Towers Watson as the Committee's executive compensation consultant and to approve its fees and other terms of engagement. In connection with its engagement of Willis Towers Watson, the Compensation Committee considered various factors bearing upon Willis Towers Watson's independence, including, but not limited to, the amount of fees received by Willis Towers Watson from the Company as a percentage of Willis Towers Watson's total revenues, Willis Towers Watson's policies and procedures designed to prevent and mitigate conflicts of interest, and the existence of any business or personal relationships that could impact Willis Towers Watson's independence. After reviewing these and other factors, the Compensation Committee determined that Willis Towers Watson was independent and that its engagement did not present any conflicts of interest. Willis Towers Watson also provided the Company with a written statement in which it indicated its belief that it serves as an independent advisor to, and has no conflicts of interest involving, the Company.

The Board of Directors, in consultation with the Compensation Committee and management, believes that the Company's compensation policies and practices, including the Company's executive compensation program, do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Board believes that the following characteristics of the Company's compensation policies and practices are effective in reducing the possibility of the executive officers, individually or as a group, making excessively risky business decisions that could maximize short-term results at the expense of long-term value:

At our annual stockholders’ meetings held in May 2021, 2020 and 2019, approximately 96%, 99% and 98% of the shares cast at the meetings (excluding abstentions and broker non-votes) were respectively voted in favor of the advisory vote on the executive compensation reported in the Company's proxy statement. While the advisory vote is non-binding, the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors reviews and considers the voting results with respect to advisory votes on executive compensation when making future decisions regarding the Company's executive compensation program and intends to hold future advisory votes on executive compensation every year.

The Company’s executive compensation and benefits package consists of direct compensation (base salary, short-term cash incentives and long-term equity-based incentives) and Company-sponsored retirement and benefit plans. The components of the named executive officers’ compensation packages are designed to contribute to a total package that is competitive, appropriately performance-based and valued by the Company’s executives. The Compensation Committee strives to align the mix of executive officer compensation between cash and non-cash and short-term and long-term incentive compensation with the competitive benchmarking described above.

The Company provides the named executive officers with a base salary to compensate them for services rendered during the fiscal year. The Compensation Committee determines the base salary for the Chief Executive Officer and the other named executive officers, although the base salaries for the latter are determined in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee typically reviews the base salaries of the named executive officers during the first half of the year as part of the Company’s performance review process, as well as in the event of a promotion or other change in job responsibilities. This review primarily takes into account a compensation analysis, such as the Willis Towers Watson analysis described above; an internal review of the executive’s compensation, both on an individual basis and relative to other executives; and the individual performance of the executive, as evaluated by the Chief Executive Officer.

In May 2021, the Compensation Committee met in executive session, outside of the presence of Mr. Corrado, to discuss his compensation arrangements for 2021. The Committee reviewed and discussed the components of Mr. Corrado's current compensation utilizing the materials prepared by Willis Towers Watson that are described above and, based thereon, increased his base salary, effective on July 1, 2021. Further, the Compensation Committee, in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer and utilizing the materials prepared by Willis Towers Watson, increased the base salaries paid to Messrs. Berger, Koharik, Payne and Turner, effective on July 1, 2021. The increase in the base salary paid to Mr. Corrado and the increases in the base salaries paid to Messrs. Berger, Koharik, Payne and Turner were made in order to cause their respective target total compensation to be more in alignment with the market median/50^th percentile being targeted by the Company, although subject in each case to the requirements limiting executive compensation arising from the grants received by two of the Company’s subsidiary airlines under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), and the subsequent grants received by one of the Company’s subsidiary airlines under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (the PSP Extension Law”) and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the “American Rescue Plan”). The base salaries paid to the named executive officers in 2021 are set forth in the “Salary” column of the “Summary Compensation Table” below.

During 2021, the Company's executives, including the named executive officers, had the potential to earn incentive compensation under the Company’s Executive Incentive Compensation Plan (the “EIC Plan”). The purpose of the EIC Plan is to incentivize executive management to achieve short-term corporate goals. Under the EIC Plan, participants are eligible to receive a cash bonus utilizing a formula that establishes a bonus amount, expressed as a percentage of base salary, based upon the extent of achievement of performance measures that are prescribed under the EIC Plan. The performance measures selected, and the relevant weight given to each such performance measure, may vary by participant, provided that, unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, bonuses will be based on at least two performance measures, one of which will be net income

from continuing operations. The other performance measures that may be utilized under the EIC Plan include revenue growth, return on capital, earnings per share, shipment growth, increase in stock price, return on assets, service or personal goals. The cash-incentive bonus opportunity for each of the named executive officers varies depending upon the position held and ranges from 6% to 150% of the participant's base salary earned during the year. The threshold, target and maximum bonus potentials for the named executive officers in 2021 included the following:

The Compensation Committee determines: (i) the threshold, target and maximum bonus percentages and, based thereon, the potential cash bonus amounts; (ii) the performance measures and the weight to be given to each performance measure; and (iii) the extent of the achievement thereof, for the Chief Executive Officer. Similarly, the Compensation Committee makes the same determinations with respect to the other named executive officers in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer. In May 2021, the Compensation Committee met in executive session, outside of the presence of the Chief Executive Officer, to discuss Mr. Corrado’s compensation arrangements for 2021. The Committee reviewed and discussed the components of Mr. Corrado’s current compensation utilizing the materials prepared by Willis Towers Watson that are described above and, based thereon, no changes were made to his bonus percentages under the EIC Plan for 2021. Further, the Compensation Committee, in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer and utilizing the materials prepared by Willis Towers Watson, made no changes to the bonus percentages under the EIC Plan for Messrs. Berger, Koharik, Turner and Payne for 2021.

For 2021, 80% of the named executive officers’ bonus opportunity was based upon the level of achievement of net income from continuing operations, and 20% of their bonus opportunity was based upon the level of achievement of specific strategic objectives (the “Strategic Objectives”). The Compensation Committee determined that: (i) Mr. Corrado had achieved 70% of the bonus potential for the performance measure associated with net income from continuing operations and 100% of the bonus potential associated with the Strategic Objectives; and (ii) Messrs. Berger, Koharik, Payne and Turner had achieved 64% of the bonus potential for the performance measure associated with net income from continuing operations and 100% of the bonus potential associated with the Strategic Objectives. The following table shows for each of Messrs. Corrado, Turner, Koharik, Payne and Berger: (i) the performance measures utilized; (ii) the relevant weight given to the performance measures based on net income from continuing operations and in the aggregate for the Strategic Objectives; (iii) the potential bonus amounts at threshold, target and maximum, for the achievement of the performance measures based on net income from continuing operations, and in total for the Strategic Objectives; and (iv) the actual cash incentive bonus achieved for the performance measures under the EIC Plan for 2021:

The Compensation Committee believes that the Company’s overall incentive program, including the EIC Plan, is meaningfully performance based. In this regard, the Chief Executive Officer and other named executive officers were awarded an annual cash bonus under the EIC Plan attributable to the performance measure associated with net operating income from continuing operations based on the Company’s performance in 2021, 2020 and 2019.

The amounts paid to the named executive officers under the EIC Plan for 2021 are also set forth in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the “Summary Compensation Table” below.

The Company's executives, including the named executive officers, and senior management are eligible to participate in the Company's 2015 LTI Plan. The purpose of the 2015 LTI Plan is to foster and promote the long-term financial success of the Company, to reward performance and to increase stockholder value by providing participants appropriate incentives and awards, to enable the Company to attract and retain the services of outstanding individuals, to encourage stock ownership in the Company, and to align the interests of management and directors with that of stockholders. The 2015 LTI Plan authorizes a wide range of equity awards, including stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, stock awards, stock appreciation rights and performance-based awards payable in shares or cash and other forms of equity-based compensation.

Since the approval of the 2015 LTI Plan, the Compensation Committee has granted restricted stock awards and performance-based stock unit awards to the Company’s named executive officers and other executives and members of the senior management group on an annual basis. The amount of the total long-term incentive grants to be received by each named executive officer is typically determined by multiplying the officer's base salary by a percentage, the latter of which depends on the position held. In 2021, the percentage was 150% for Messrs. Berger, Corrado, Koharik, Payne and Turner. The restricted stock awards and performance-based stock unit awards are typically divided evenly, so that half of the long-term incentive compensation value is delivered in restricted stock and half is delivered in performance-based stock units. The number of shares of restricted stock and performance-based stock units to be received is determined by dividing the value derived above by the closing stock price on the date of grant. The Compensation Committee has traditionally authorized the grant of awards no earlier than at the close of the market on the second or third full trading day after the issuance of the Company’s earnings for the fourth quarter and year-end.

The Compensation Committee granted restricted stock awards and performance-based stock awards under the 2015 LTI Plan to the Company’s named executive officers and other executives and members of the senior management group in March 2021. The Compensation Committee met in executive session, outside the presence of the Chief Executive Officer, in discussing his compensation arrangements for 2021.

The Compensation Committee is permitted under the 2015 LTI Plan to modify a previously approved performance goal or metric for determining award payout amounts in recognition of unusual or non-recurring events or changes in applicable tax laws or accounting practices. In keeping with the Compensation Committee’s compensation philosophy, principles and practices, the Compensation Committee would only consider modifying a previously approved performance goal or metric if, as the result of an unusual or non-recurring event or development, modification of the original performance goal or metric is necessary to accurately reflect the value of the participants’ past, present and/or future contributions to the Company’s business. Examples might include: (i) an extraordinary and unanticipated event, (ii) conditions or circumstances beyond management’s control, which make a previously approved performance goal or metric a less reliable measure of performance; or (iii) the accomplishment of significant long-term value that is not yet reflected in the applicable performance goal or metric.

In 2021, the Compensation Committee modified the performance criteria for stock performance units granted under the 2015 LTI Plan in 2019 which had a performance measurement period ending on December 31, 2021. The 2019 stock performance unit awards specified the 40^th stock performance unit percentile level (based on the total stockholder return performance of the NASDAQ Transportation Index) as the threshold percentile level for award payouts at the end of the applicable performance measurement period. While the performance of the Company’s common stock during the performance measurement period was one peer company below the threshold level, the Compensation Committee concluded that the Company’s stock performance should be treated as having met the applicable threshold level. Trucking companies in the NASDAQ Transportation Index substantially outperformed air cargo companies in the index during the applicable measurement period largely as a result of unexpected and unprecedented changes to the economy and the delivery of goods resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision of the Compensation Committee to modify the threshold level was based on its determination that, as a result of these COVID-19-related impacts, the NASDAQ Transportation Index did not provide a good measure of the relative performance of companies engaged in the air cargo business. The Compensation Committee concluded that its decision was supported by the extraordinary efforts of the Company’s management in managing the Company’s business throughout the pandemic.

Under the restricted stock award agreements, shares of stock are issued in the name of each of the participant employees, but are held in escrow until they fully vest. The performance period is ordinarily 36 months. The employees may exercise any voting rights associated with the restricted stock while in escrow, and any dividends paid on the restricted stock are also held in escrow and paid once they are fully vested. The restrictions are removed and the stock is distributed to the employees if they are actively employed at the end of the vesting period, but such awards may be settled earlier or forfeited in certain limited circumstances under the terms of the award agreements.

The number of shares of restricted stock that were granted to each of the named executive officers during fiscal year 2021, all of which will vest at the end of the restriction period, are set forth in the “All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units” column of the “Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table” below.

Under the performance-based stock unit award agreements, the performance units are converted to an equal number of shares of common stock and paid out or forfeited, depending upon whether and the extent to which certain performance criteria are met during the performance period. The performance period is ordinarily 36 months. The performance-based stock units consist of two types - stock performance units and return-on-invested-capital (“ROIC”) units. The agreements provide for an equal number of stock performance units and ROIC units, based on their respective target award potential.

The performance criteria for the stock performance units are based upon the extent to which the appreciation in the Company’s stock during the performance period equals or exceeds the total stockholder return performance of the NASDAQ Transportation Index during the same period. Under the 2015 LTI Plan, each award agreement specifies the 40th, 50th and 75th stock performance unit percentile level as the threshold, target and maximum percentile level, respectively, indicating when the stock performance awards are earned or forfeited. For performance outcomes between the threshold and maximum percentile levels, the actual awards are interpolated.

The performance criteria for the ROIC units under the 2015 LTI Plan are based upon how the Company’s average return on invested capital during the performance period compares to the levels specified under the award agreements. The criteria for determining the extent to which ROIC units are earned or forfeited is based on invested capital for the same period during the prior fiscal year. Each award agreement specifies a threshold, target and maximum ROIC unit percentile level, indicating when the ROIC awards are earned or forfeited. The Compensation Committee seeks to establish a threshold percentile level that is perceived by management as being reasonably achievable and a target and maximum percentile level that rewards superior performance. For performance outcomes between the threshold and maximum percentile levels, the actual awards are interpolated.

Under the 2015 LTI Plan, the performance-based stock units (both stock performance units and ROIC units) may be settled earlier or forfeited in certain limited circumstances under the terms of the award agreements.

The number of performance-based stock units that were granted to each of the named executive officers under the 2015 LTI Plan during fiscal year 2021, all or a portion of which may vest at the end of the performance period, depending upon and the extent to which the performance criteria are met during the performance period, are set forth in the “Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards” columns of the “Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table” below.

The following table sets forth the number of shares of common stock subject to outstanding restricted stock units granted under the 2005 LTI Plan and outstanding restricted stock units, restricted stock and performance-based stock units granted under the 2015 LTI Plan, as well as the number of shares available for future award grants under the 2015 LTI Plan, in each case, as of the Record Date. The Company has no other compensation plans pursuant to which equity awards may be granted.

During 2020 and 2021, the Company received grant funds to protect employees' jobs by offsetting payroll expenses under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the "PSP Extension Law"), and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the "American Rescue Plan", and together with the CARES Act and the PSP Extension Law, the “COVID-19 Payroll Support Programs”). More specifically, in May 2020, two of the Company's airline subsidiaries, Omni Air International, LLC (“OAI”) and Air Transport International, Inc. (“ATI”), were granted government funds pursuant to payroll support program agreements (“PSP Agreements”) under the CARES Act. Thereafter, in February 2021 and April 2021, OAI was granted additional government funds pursuant to separate PSP Agreements under the PSP Extension Law and the American Rescue Plan. The three COVID-19 Payroll Support Programs are similar and the grants thereunder are not required to be repaid provided that the participating airline complies with the terms of the PSP Agreement. Among other matters, the PSP Agreement under the CARES Act provides that the total compensation of OAI’s and ATI’s executive officers, as well as those of the Company’s other airline subsidiary, ABX Air, Inc., whose total compensation exceeded $425,000 in calendar year 2019, as defined therein, is limited during any 12 consecutive month period from March 24, 2020 to March 24, 2022, to the total compensation such officer received in 2019. Similarly, the PSP Agreement under the PSP Extension Law and the American Rescue Plan provide that the total compensation of OAI’s executive officers, whose total compensation exceeded $425,000 in calendar year 2019, as defined therein, is limited during any 12 consecutive month period from October 1, 2020, to October 1, 2022 and April 1, 2021 to April 1, 2023, respectively, to the total compensation such officer received in 2019. The majority of the named executive officers of ATSG also serve as an executive of an airline subsidiary of the Company and are thereby subject to the pertinent limitations on executive compensation under one or more of the PSP Agreements or have otherwise voluntarily agreed to be subject such limitations in the interest of internal equity. The limitations on executive compensation under the COVID-19 Payroll Support Programs had a material impact on the compensation of the affected named executive officers during 2021, as detailed in this Proxy Statement.

To better align the interests of the Company's executives, including the named executive officers, with the interests of stockholders, the Compensation Committee requires that certain executives, including the named executive officers, maintain a minimum ownership interest in the Company. The amount of stock required to be owned and retained is based on the minimum number of shares totaling in value as of the date of grant or purchase (including any restricted stock grants) a multiple of the executive's annual base salary, which multiple depends upon the position held. As Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Corrado is required to own and retain the minimum number of shares totaling in value as of the date of grant or purchase at least three times his annual base salary. The Chief Financial Officer (Mr. Turner); Chief Operating Officer (Mr. Koharik); Chief Legal Officer and Secretary (Mr. Payne); and Chief Commercial Officer (Mr. Berger) are each required to own and retain the minimum number of shares totaling in value as of the date of grant or purchase at least two times their respective annual base salaries. The Company’s executives, including the named executive officers, are expected to be in compliance with the ownership guidelines on or about the third anniversary of the date on which the executive was first elected to the position held. All of the named executive officers are in compliance with the stock ownership guidelines.

The Company’s Insider Trading Policy provides for the Company to designate from time to time the Section 16 Individuals, as well as certain key employees (“Key Employees”) who, because of their position with the Company, are likely to have access to material nonpublic information. The policy expressly prohibits these individuals from entering into financial transactions designed to hedge or offset any decrease in the market value of the Company’s securities, holding Company securities in a margin account or pledging (or hypothecating) Company securities as collateral for a loan. The Company’s Insider Trading Policy is discussed further under the heading entitled “Insider Trading Policy.”

ATSG and its subsidiaries have several retirement plans for their executives, including the named executive officers, and other employees who are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement. However, as described below, all but two of the retirement plans have been frozen or are no longer the subject of contributions. The named executive officers participate in one or more of the following plans: (i) the ABX Air Capital Accumulation Plan, which is both a defined contribution 401(k) plan (the “CAP 401(k) 5%”) and a voluntary 401(k) salary deferral plan (the “CAP 401(k)”); (ii) the ABX Air Retirement Income Plan (the “RIP”), which is a defined benefit pension plan; (iii) the ABX Air Profit Sharing Plan (the “PSP”), which is a defined contribution plan; (iv) the ABX Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the “SERP”), which is a non-qualified and unfunded plan that provides for benefits in excess of statutory limits; and (v) the Air Transport Services Group, Inc. Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (the “DCP”), which is a non-qualified plan that provides deferred compensation in excess of statutory limits.

All eligible full and part-time non-union employees of ATSG and certain of its subsidiaries, including the named executive officers, who complete one year of service and work at least 1,000 hours during the year receive a Company contribution to the CAP 401(k) 5%. Under the CAP 401(k) 5%, employees that have completed three continuous years of employment with the Company and worked at least 1,000 hours each year, earn the right to receive benefits upon termination. Contributions are calculated as the product of 5% of eligible annual pay for each year of service, and the contributions are deposited in the CAP 401(k) 5%. Similarly, all eligible full and part-time non-union employees of ATSG and certain of its subsidiaries, including the named executive officers, may elect to participate in the CAP 401(k), which is a 401(k) plan that allows voluntary deferrals of up to 75% of an employee’s pay, subject to IRS income limits.

Messrs. Payne and Turner are eligible to receive benefits under the RIP. The RIP is a floor offset pension plan that works in step with the PSP (No contributions have been made to the PSP for non-union employees since December 31, 1999 or for union employees since December 31, 2009.). Under the RIP, all eligible full and part-time non-union employees of ATSG that have completed five continuous years of employment with the Company earn the right to receive benefits upon termination at the normal retirement age of 65 or reduced benefits upon early retirement on or after age 55, with 10 or more years of service. Retirement benefits are calculated as the product of 2% times the final average annual eligible pay for the first 25 years of service and 0.5% times the final average annual eligible pay for each year after the first 25 years of service, less the actuarial equivalent of the PSP balance. The RIP was frozen on January 14, 2010, and, as such, no years of service or average monthly compensation have been credited to the participants since that date in determining the benefit available under the RIP.

Messrs. Payne and Turner are eligible to receive benefits under the SERP. The SERP provides an age 62 targeted benefit of 50% of a participant’s Final Average Earnings (“FAEs”) for 25 or more years of service, which benefit is reduced by 4% a year for each year of service less than 25 years. In addition, a participant may elect early retirement as early as age 55 provided he or she has at least 10 years of service with the Company. The benefit is reduced by 6% a year for early retirement before age 62. Participants become vested in the SERP after completing 5 years of service with the Company. Prior to the date upon which the SERP was frozen, benefits earned through the formula were offset by benefits from Social Security, the RIP, the PSP and the CAP 401(k) 5%. The SERP was frozen on April 14, 2009. Accordingly, years of service used to calculate the targeted benefit as well as FAEs were frozen as of that date.

Each of the named executive officers are eligible to receive benefits under the DCP. The DCP provides deferred compensation to a select group of management and highly compensated employees (except for any person so employed under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement) in an amount equal to the retirement contributions that cannot be made to the qualified plan in which the eligible employee participates due to IRS compensation limits. The annual contributions made on behalf of the named executive officers participating under the DCP are dependent upon a number of factors, including the salary and bonus paid to the named executive officer during the year, the terms of the qualified plan in which he or she participates, and the annual IRS compensation limit (The annual contributions made on behalf of the named executive officers under the DCP for 2021 are set forth in footnote 5 to the “Summary Compensation Table” below.).

The core benefit package for the named executive officers and all other employees of the Company includes health, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, group term life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (“AD&D”) insurance, and certain post-retirement benefits. The core benefit package is designed to assist the Company in retaining and attracting employees for key positions. The core benefit package for all of the employees of ATSG, including the named executive officers, also includes business travel accident insurance. The named executive officers participate in the Company’s benefit plans on the same basis as all other Company employees, except to the extent described under the heading “Retirement Plans” and “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control.”

The Company does not have employment agreements with any of its named executive officers that specify a term of employment or guarantee minimum levels of compensation.

Each of the named executive officers participates in the Air Transport Services Group, Inc. Severance Pay Plan for Senior Management (the “Severance Plan”), which covers certain designated key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. Under the terms of the Severance Plan, if a named executive officer (i) is terminated by the Company for any reason other than for “Cause” (as defined in the Severance Plan), death or disability, or (ii) resigns on account of “Good Reason” (as defined in the

Severance Plan), the covered employee will receive the following severance benefits: (1) a continuation of annual base salary for the covered employee's severance period; (2) a pro rata annual incentive bonus for the fiscal year in which the covered employee's employment termination occurs, which bonus will be paid at the same time that bonuses are paid under the applicable plan or policy; and (3) a continuation of eligibility to participate during the applicable severance period in the Company's medical, dental, vision and prescription drug plans in which the covered employee was participating (including the covered employee's spouse and eligible dependents); provided that to receive such coverage, the covered employee must pay the amount that the covered employee would have been required to pay if such covered employee were employed by the Company at such time. The severance period for Mr. Corrado is 24 months and the severance periods for Messrs. Berger, Koharik, Payne and Turner is 18 months.

If a covered employee is also a party to a change in control agreement and there is a change in control that results in such covered employee being entitled to receive severance benefits thereunder, the Severance Plan will cease to be applicable to such covered employee, with all payments and benefits to such covered employee arising out of any termination of the employment of such covered employee to be determined and paid in accordance with the terms of such change in control agreement. Similarly, if a covered employee is also a party to an employment agreement with the Company that provides for severance payments and benefits following termination of employment under the same or similar circumstances as are set forth in the Severance Plan, then the Severance Plan will not be applicable to such covered employee so long as such employment agreement is in effect.

As a condition for a covered employee to be eligible to participate in the Severance Plan, and to receive severance benefits under the Severance Plan, a covered employee must agree to comply with the restrictive covenants thereunder, including (i) a confidential information disclosure restriction during the term of the covered employment and thereafter, (ii) a non-competition restriction during the term of the covered employee’s employment and for the stated Restriction Period after such termination of employment and (iii) a non-solicitation restriction applicable to the solicitation of actual or prospective customers, employees and contractors of the Company during the term of the covered employee’s employment and for the Restriction Period after such termination of employment. The Restriction Period for Mr. Corrado is 24 months and for Messrs. Berger, Koharik, Payne and Turner is 18 months.

The Compensation Committee may amend, suspend or terminate the Severance Plan at any time; provided that (i) no amendment, suspension or termination may materially adversely affect a covered employee’s entitlements under the Severance Plan without the prior written consent of such adversely affected covered employee and (ii) no such amendment, suspension or termination will give the Company the right to recover any amount paid to a covered employee prior to the date of such amendment, suspension or termination or to cause the cessation and termination of payments of severance benefits to any person under the Severance Plan receiving severance benefits.

The Company has entered into change-in-control agreements with certain of its executives, including the named executive officers. Information regarding applicable payments under such agreements for the named executive officers is set forth under the section titled “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” below.

Certain bonuses and equity compensation received by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer must be forfeited as required by applicable law if the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to material non-compliance by the Company as a result of misconduct with any financial reporting requirements under the securities laws.

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (“Section 162(m)”) disallows a tax deduction to public companies for compensation in excess of $1 million paid to “covered employees”, which generally includes all of the named executive officers. While the Compensation Committee may take the deductibility of compensation into account when making compensation decisions, the Compensation Committee will award compensation that it determines to be consistent with the goals of the executive compensation program even if such compensation is not deductible by the Company.

The Company began accounting for stock-based payments in accordance with the requirements of FASB ASC Topic 718, beginning with the initial grant of awards under the Company’s 2005 LTI Plan and continuing with grants made under the 2015 LTI Plan.

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has reviewed and discussed the Company’s Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and, based on such review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Company’s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A for its 2022 Annual Meeting, which is incorporated by reference in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, each as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Respectfully submitted,

The Compensation Committee

J. Christopher Teets, Chair

Raymond E. Johns, Jr.

Randy D. Rademacher

Jeffrey J. Vorholt

Paul S. Williams

The above report of the Compensation Committee will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating this Proxy Statement into any filing of the Company with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates this information by reference and will not be deemed soliciting material or deemed filed under those Acts.

The following table sets forth the total compensation earned by, including the stock awards granted to, each of the named executive officers for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019.

The following table summarizes the grants of plan-based awards made to each of the named executive officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.