ATLAS AIR INC
S-4/A, 1998-09-04
AIR TRANSPORTATION, NONSCHEDULED
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<PAGE>   1
 
   
   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON SEPTEMBER 3, 1998
    
 
   
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-56391
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                             ---------------------
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 2
    
   
                                       TO
    
                                    FORM S-4
            REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                             ---------------------
                                ATLAS AIR, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                              <C>                              <C>
            DELAWARE                           4731                          84-1207329
(State or other jurisdiction of    (Primary Standard Industrial           (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)    Classification Code Number)         Identification Number)
</TABLE>
 
                               538 COMMONS DRIVE
                             GOLDEN, COLORADO 80401
                                 (303) 526-5050
  (Address, including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, including Area Code, of
                   Registrant's Principal Executive Offices)
 
                               RICHARD H. SHUYLER
                 EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT -- STRATEGIC PLANNING
                                 AND TREASURER
                                ATLAS AIR, INC.
                               538 COMMONS DRIVE
                             GOLDEN, COLORADO 80401
                                 (303) 526-5050
      (Name, Address, including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, including
                        Area Code, of Agent for Service)
 
                                with a copy to:
 
                            STEPHEN A. GREENE, ESQ.
                            CAHILL GORDON & REINDEL
                                 80 PINE STREET
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10005
 
     APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
 
     If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box.  [ ]
 
     If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering.  [ ]
 
     If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering.  [ ]
 
   
     THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.
    
 
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<PAGE>   2
 
PROSPECTUS
 
                                 ATLASAIR LOGO
                                 ATLASAIR LOGO
 
              OFFER TO EXCHANGE ITS 9 1/4% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2008,
              WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT,
      FOR ITS 9 1/4% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2008, WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
                             ---------------------
        THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME,
   
                      ON OCTOBER 9, 1998, UNLESS EXTENDED.
    
                             ---------------------
     Atlas Air, Inc. (the "Company"), a Delaware corporation, hereby offers,
upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Prospectus and
the accompanying Letter of Transmittal (which together constitute the "Exchange
Offer"), to exchange up to $175,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its new
9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2008 (the "New Notes"), which have been registered under
the Securities Act of 1933 as amended (the "Securities Act"), for a like
principal amount of its outstanding 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2008 (the "Old
Notes"), which have not been so registered. The terms of the New Notes are
identical in all material respects to the Old Notes, except for certain transfer
restrictions relating to the Old Notes. The New Notes will evidence the same
indebtedness as the Old Notes and will be issued pursuant to, and entitled to
the benefits of, the same Indenture that governs the Old Notes (the
"Indenture"). As used herein, the term "Notes" means the Old Notes and the New
Notes, treated as a single class.
 
   
     The Company will accept for exchange any and all Old Notes validly tendered
and not withdrawn prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 9, 1998
unless extended (as, and so extended, the "Expiration Date"). Tenders of Old
Notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration Date. The Exchange
Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum principal amount of Old Notes being
tendered for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer is
subject to certain other customary conditions. See "The Exchange Offer."
    
 
     The New Notes will bear interest from and including the date of
consummation of the Exchange Offer. Interest on the New Notes will be payable
semi-annually in arrears on each April 15 and October 15 of each year,
commencing October 15, 1998, at the rate of 9 1/4% per annum. The New Notes will
mature on April 15, 2008. Interest on the New Notes will accrue from the last
interest payment date on which interest was paid on the Old Notes surrendered in
exchange therefor or, if no interest has been paid on the Old Notes, from the
date of original issuance of the Old Notes. The Notes will be redeemable, in
whole or in part, at the option of the Company, on or after April 15, 2003, at
the redemption prices set forth herein, plus accrued interest to the date of
redemption. In addition, at any time on or prior to April 15, 2001 the Company,
at its option, may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the
Notes originally issued with the net cash proceeds of one or more Public Equity
Offerings (as defined), at a redemption price equal to 109.25% of the principal
amount thereof plus accrued interest to the date of redemption; provided that at
least $113.75 million aggregate principal amount of the Notes originally issued
remains outstanding immediately after any such redemption.
 
     SEE "RISK FACTORS," WHICH BEGINS ON PAGE 10, FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN
FACTORS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY HOLDERS PRIOR TO TENDERING THEIR OLD NOTES
IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER.
                             ---------------------
  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
   AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
                               CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                             ---------------------
   
               The date of this Prospectus is September 3, 1998.
    
<PAGE>   3
 
   
     The New Notes represent general unsecured obligations of the Company
ranking pari passu in right of payment to any existing and future unsecured
unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company and senior in right of payment to all
subordinated indebtedness of the Company. The New Notes will be effectively
subordinated, however, to all secured indebtedness of the Company and to all
existing and future liabilities of the Company's subsidiaries. As of June 30,
1998, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Offering (as defined) and
the application of the proceeds thereof, the Company would have had
approximately $501.2 million of indebtedness outstanding (including
approximately $174.2 million of secured indebtedness) and the Company's
subsidiaries would have had approximately $377.7 million of liabilities
outstanding.
    
 
     Upon a Change of Control (as defined), each holder of the Notes will have
the right to require the Company to repurchase such holder's Notes at a price
equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest
to the date of repurchase. In addition, the Company will be obligated to offer
to repurchase Notes with the net cash proceeds of certain asset sales at a
purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued
interest to the date of repurchase.
 
     The holder of each Old Note accepted for exchange will receive a New Note
having a principal amount equal to that of the surrendered Old Note. Old Notes
accepted for exchange will cease to accrue interest from and after the date of
consummation of the Exchange Offer. Holders of Old Notes accepted for exchange
will not receive any payment in respect of accrued interest on such Old Notes.
Old Notes not tendered or not accepted for exchange will continue to accrue
interest from and after the date of consummation of the Exchange Offer.
 
     The Old Notes were issued and sold on April 9, 1998 (the "Offering") in a
transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and
may not be offered or sold in the United States unless so registered or pursuant
to an applicable exemption under the Securities Act. The New Notes are being
offered hereunder in order to satisfy certain obligations of the Company
contained in the Registration Rights Agreement (as defined). Based on
interpretations by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") as set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties, the
Company believes that New Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer in
exchange for Old Notes may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise
transferred by any holder thereof (other than a holder that is an "affiliate" of
the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act), without
compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the
Securities Act, provided that such New Notes are acquired in the ordinary course
of such holder's business and such holder has no arrangement or understanding
with any person to participate in a distribution of such New Notes. However, the
Company has not sought a no-action letter with respect to the Exchange Offer and
there can be no assurance that the staff of the Commission would make a similar
determination with respect to the Exchange Offer. Each holder of Old Notes,
other than a broker-dealer, must acknowledge that it is not engaged in, and does
not intend to engage or participate in, a distribution of New Notes and has no
arrangement or understanding to participate in a distribution of New Notes. Each
broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own account pursuant to the
Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection
with any resale of such New Notes. The Letter of Transmittal states that by so
acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed
to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
This Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be
used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of New Notes received in
exchange for Old Notes acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities. The Company has agreed
that, for a period ending on the close of business on the 180th day following
the Expiration Date (as defined herein), it will make this Prospectus available
to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. See "Plan of
Distribution."
 
     The Company will not receive any proceeds from the Exchange Offer. The
Company will pay all the expenses incident to the Exchange Offer. In the event
the Company terminates the Exchange Offer and does not accept for exchange any
Old Notes, the Company will promptly return the Old Notes to the holders
thereof. See "The Exchange Offer."
 
     There has previously been only a limited secondary market, and no public
market, for the Old Notes. The Old Notes are eligible for trading in the Private
Offering, Resales and Trading through Automatic Linkages
 
                                       ii
<PAGE>   4
 
("PORTAL") market. The Company has been advised by the Initial Purchaser (as
defined) that it intends to make a market for the New Notes; however, the
Initial Purchaser is not obligated to do so, and the Company does not currently
intend to list the New Notes on any securities exchange. Any market-making may
be discontinued at any time, and there is no assurance that an active public
market for the New Notes will develop or, that if such a market develops, that
it will continue. This Prospectus may be used by the Initial Purchaser in
connection with offers and sales of the New Notes which may be made by it from
time to time in market-making transactions at negotiated prices relating to
prevailing market prices at the time of sale. The Initial Purchaser may act as
principal or agent in such transaction.
 
     THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS NOT BEING MADE TO, NOR WILL THE COMPANY ACCEPT
SURRENDERS FOR EXCHANGE FROM, HOLDERS OF OLD NOTES IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH
THE EXCHANGE OFFER OR THE ACCEPTANCE THEREOF WOULD NOT BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE
SECURITIES OR BLUE SKY LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.
 
     NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED IN CONNECTION WITH ANY OFFERING HEREBY TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR
THE ACCOMPANYING LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION
OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE
COMPANY. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS OR THE ACCOMPANYING LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL, NOR ANY EXCHANGE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES
CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF
ANY DATE SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
 
     MARKET DATA USED THROUGHOUT THIS PROSPECTUS WERE OBTAINED FROM CONSULTANT'S
REPORTS AND INDUSTRY PUBLICATIONS. INDUSTRY PUBLICATIONS AND CONSULTANT'S
REPORTS GENERALLY STATE THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED THEREIN HAS BEEN OBTAINED
FROM SOURCES BELIEVED TO BE RELIABLE, BUT THAT THE ACCURACY AND COMPLETENESS OF
SUCH INFORMATION IS NOT GUARANTEED. THE COMPANY HAS NOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFIED
THIS MARKET DATA.
 
     Old Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $175 million were issued
originally in global form (the "Global Old Note"). The Global Old Note was
deposited with, or on behalf of DTC, as the initial depository with respect to
the Old Notes (in such capacity, the "Depository"). The Global Old Note is
registered in the name of Cede, as nominee of DTC, and the beneficial interests
in the Global Old Note are shown on and transfers thereof are effected only
through, records maintained by the Depository and its participants. The use of
the Global Old Note to represent certain of the Old Notes permits the
Depository's participants, and anyone holding a beneficial interest in an Old
Note registered in the name of such a participant, to transfer interests in the
Old Notes electronically in accordance with the Depository's established
procedures without the need to transfer a physical certificate. Except as
provided below, the New Notes will also be issued initially as a note in global
form (the "Global New Note", and together with the Global Old Note, the "Global
Notes") and deposited with, or on behalf of, the Depository.
 
                                       iii
<PAGE>   5
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form
S-4 (herein, together with all amendments and exhibits, referred to as the
"Registration Statement") under the Securities Act with respect to the New Notes
offered hereby. This Prospectus, which forms a part of the Registration
Statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration
Statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto, certain parts of which are
omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission. For
further information with respect to the Company and the New Notes offered
hereby, reference is made to the Registration Statement and the exhibits and
schedules thereto. Any statements made in this Prospectus concerning the
provisions of certain documents are not necessarily complete and, in each
instance, reference is made to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to
the Registration Statement otherwise filed with the Commission.
 
     The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Commission. The Registration Statement, the exhibits forming a part thereof and
such reports, proxy statements and other information can be inspected and copied
at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Judiciary
Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the following
Regional Offices of the Commission: New York Regional Office, Seven World Trade
Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048; and Chicago Regional Office,
Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, 14th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60601.
Copies of such material can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 at
prescribed rates. The Commission also maintains an Internet Web Site at
http://www.sec.gov that contains reports and other information. The Company's
common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CGO" and
reports, proxy statements and other information concerning the Company can be
inspected at the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York
10005.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
   
     The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K (the "Form 10-K") for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1997, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the
quarters ended March 31, 1998 and June 30, 1998, each of which has been filed
with the Commission, are hereby incorporated in this Prospectus by reference.
    
 
     All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the
termination of the Exchange Offer contemplated hereby shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the
date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document
incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall
be deemed to be modified or superseded for all purposes of this Prospectus to
the extent that a statement contained herein or in any subsequently filed
document which also is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or
superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to
constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
     The Company undertakes to provide without charge to each person, including
any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this Prospectus has been delivered, on
the written or oral request, a copy of any and all of the documents incorporated
in this Prospectus by reference, other than exhibits to such documents not
incorporated by reference therein. Requests for such copies should be directed
to Atlas Air, Inc., 538 Commons Drive, Golden, Colorado 80401 Attention: Chief
Financial Officer (telephone (303) 526-5050).
 
                                       iv
<PAGE>   6
 
               SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
 
     Certain statements included or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus
constitute "forward looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Such forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
which may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance or
achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different
from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition,
forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of
forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "intend",
"estimate", "anticipate", "believe", or "continue" or the negative thereof or
variations thereon or similar terminology. Although the Company believes that
the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it
can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the
Company's expectations ("Cautionary Statements") are disclosed under "Risk
Factors" and elsewhere in this Prospectus, including, without limitation, in
conjunction with the forward-looking statements attributable to the Company, or
persons acting on its behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the
Cautionary Statements.
 
     As a result of the foregoing and other factors, no assurance can be given
as to the future results and achievements of the Company. Neither the Company
nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of
these statements.
 
                                        v
<PAGE>   7
 
                                    SUMMARY
 
     The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to, and
should be read in connection with, the more detailed information and financial
data, including the financial statements and the notes thereto, appearing
elsewhere in this Prospectus. Prospective investors should consider carefully
the matters discussed under the caption "Risk Factors." Unless the context
otherwise requires, references to the "Company" or "Atlas" shall mean Atlas Air,
Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries. In addition, references
herein to "747-400 aircraft" means the Boeing 747-400F freighter aircraft.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
   
     Atlas is the world's largest air cargo outsourcer, with an all Boeing fleet
of 747 freighter aircraft. The Company provides reliable airport-to-airport
cargo transportation services throughout the world to major international air
carriers generally under three- to five-year fixed-rate U.S. dollar denominated
contracts which typically require that the Company supply aircraft, crew,
maintenance and insurance (the "ACMI Contracts"). The Company's customers
currently include China Airlines Ltd. ("China Airlines"), KLM Royal Dutch
Airlines ("KLM"), Lufthansa Cargo AG ("Lufthansa"), British Airways World Cargo
("British Airways"), Scandinavian Airlines System ("SAS"), The International
Airline of the United Arab Emirates ("Emirates"), Thai Airways International
Public Company Limited ("Thai Airways"), Fast Air Carrier, SA ("Fast Air"),
Lineas Aereas Suramericanas, S.A. ("LAS"), Cargolux Airlines International, S.A.
("Cargolux") and Linee Aeree Italiane S.p.A. ("Alitalia"). The Company is able
to provide efficient, cost effective service to its customers primarily as a
result of its productive work force, the outsourcing of a significant part of
its regular maintenance work on a fixed-cost basis and the advantageous cost
economies realized in the operation of its fleet, comprised solely of Boeing 747
aircraft which are configured for service in long-haul cargo operations.
    
 
   
     The Company's fleet currently includes 20 Boeing 747-200 freighter aircraft
in service. On June 9, 1997, the Company entered into an agreement with the
Boeing Company ("Boeing") to purchase 10 new 747-400 freighter aircraft to be
powered by engines acquired from General Electric Company ("GE"), with options
to purchase up to 10 additional 747-400 aircraft (the "Boeing Purchase
Agreement"). The 747-400 aircraft has significantly longer range, greater
payload capability, lower maintenance costs and increased fuel efficiency
compared to the Boeing 747-200 freighter aircraft. The Company expects to place
the 747-400 aircraft in service with both existing and prospective customers,
who the Company believes should be willing to pay higher ACMI Contract rates to
achieve operating benefits derived from the unique performance capabilities of
the 747-400 aircraft. In July and August 1998, the Company took delivery of the
first and second 747-400 freighter aircraft, respectively.
    
 
     The Company attributes its leading market position and continued
opportunities for growth to the following competitive strengths:
 
     - Long-Term Customer Contracts Which Provide Revenue Stability. The
       Company's ACMI Contracts with its customers, which accounted for 96% of
       the Company's total operating revenues in 1997, generally provide for its
       customers to guarantee monthly minimum aircraft utilization levels at
       fixed hourly rates and are typically in force for periods of three to
       five years, subject in certain limited cases to early termination
       provisions. These ACMI Contracts typically require that the Company
       supply aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance and that its customers
       bear all other operating expenses, including fuel and fuel servicing;
       marketing costs associated with obtaining cargo; airport cargo handling;
       landing fees; ground handling, aircraft push-back and de-icing services;
       and specific cargo and mail insurance. The Company's customers are also
       responsible under these contracts for utilizing the cargo capacity of
       each of the contracted aircraft. The ACMI Contracts, therefore, minimize
       for the Company the load factor, yield risk and fuel cost risk
       traditionally associated with the air cargo business and provide the
       Company with a minimum annual revenue base and more predictable profit
       margins. The Company also periodically engages in ad hoc charter or
       scheduled air service depending on availability of aircraft for these
       uses. In addition, the Company differentiates itself from other air
 
                                        1
<PAGE>   8
 
       cargo companies by not directly or indirectly competing with its
       customers by offering its services to freight forwarders or shippers who
       do business with the Company's customers.
 
     - Low Cost Structure. The Company has established itself as a low cost,
       efficient and reliable provider of air cargo transportation primarily due
       to the outsourcing of many of its own required services, the advantageous
       economies of scale realized from the operation of a standardized fleet of
       long-haul Boeing 747-200 aircraft, and its productive work force. The
       uniformity of the 747-200 aircraft fleet allows for standardization in
       maintenance and crew training, resulting in substantial cost savings in
       these areas. In particular, Atlas has advantageous, long-term contracts
       on a fixed-cost per flight hour basis with leading maintenance providers
       such as GE and KLM for a significant portion of its on-going aircraft and
       engine maintenance requirements. As a result of these efficiencies, the
       Company's high service standards and increased airline industry pressure
       to reduce costs, the Company's airline customers have determined that
       outsourcing portions of their air cargo business to the Company can be
       significantly less costly and offer greater operational flexibility than
       expanding their cargo operations by purchasing additional aircraft and
       adding other resources such as personnel and systems. The new 747-400
       aircraft are expected to have even greater operational capabilities than
       the Boeing 747-200 aircraft and will allow the Company to continue to
       maintain its low cost structure. The new aircraft's higher level of
       operational reliability and warrantied condition will result in lower
       maintenance costs during the early years of operation, typically for at
       least five years. In addition, the acquisition of the 10 747-400
       freighter aircraft will make Atlas the largest operator of this aircraft
       type to date and will enable the Company to achieve economies of scale
       from the standardization in maintenance and crew training.
 
     - Expanding Business Base. The growth in demand for air cargo services,
       combined with the lower rate of growth in passenger-airline cargo
       capacity and the continuing pressure on the airline industry to reduce
       operating costs, is expected to provide the Company with the opportunity
       to expand its air cargo outsourcing services. The primary business focus
       of most of the Company's customers is on the transportation of
       passengers, not air cargo. Nevertheless, most passenger airlines have air
       cargo customers that require quick and dependable air cargo service
       between hubs serviced by these carriers. To the extent that airlines have
       cargo capacity on their scheduled flights, which are generally scheduled
       for the convenience of passengers rather than for the needs of air cargo
       customers, air cargo service can be provided by them to meet such demand.
       However, there is a growing trend in the passenger-airline business
       toward replacing existing widebody passenger aircraft and combination
       passenger/cargo aircraft with smaller, more efficient (for passenger
       operations) twin-engine aircraft which have limited cargo space. The
       Company's customers have therefore found that outsourcing to meet their
       additional cargo transportation needs rather than allocating significant
       resources and expanding their fleet of freighter aircraft to effectively
       service their air cargo customers provides a cost-effective alternative
       for them to maintain and expand that portion of their business.
 
     - Increasing Cargo Market Share. The Company has successfully increased its
       customer base from a single customer in 1992 to ten customers in 1998. In
       addition, the Company has operated under short-term, seasonal ACMI
       Contracts with Federal Express Corporation ("FedEx"), Kitty Hawk Air
       Cargo, Inc. ("Kitty Hawk") and United Parcel Service ("UPS") and
       anticipates providing other short-term, seasonal service. This increased
       market share is a result of the Company's ability to provide a cost-
       effective service which has gained acceptance within the industry due to
       the Company's successful market development efforts. The addition of the
       747-400 aircraft will provide the Company with the opportunity to
       increase its market share to new and existing customers who have a need
       for the greater payload, extended range and operational reliability of
       the 747-400, but for whom the purchase of a limited number of 747-400
       freighter aircraft would not be cost-effective. In addition, the 747-400
       aircraft will give the Company a competitive advantage with new customers
       who choose to utilize only new or relatively new aircraft or are
       restricted by local regulations limiting the operation of older aircraft.
 
     - Dramatic Industry Growth. While the air cargo industry is highly
       competitive, the Company believes that current industry trends are
       favorable to the continued growth of its business. According to reports
                                        2
<PAGE>   9
 
       prepared by Boeing, the world air cargo market is expected to more than
       triple over the next 20 years. Such reports indicate that the world air
       cargo market has grown at an average rate of 7.2% per year from 1986 to
       1997. The average annual percentage growth through 2017 is expected to
       average 6.5%, with international air cargo market growth outpacing U.S.
       domestic growth. The Company believes this growth has been fueled, in
       part, by economic growth, the relaxation of international trade barriers
       (as indicated by the passage of the NAFTA and GATT treaties), reductions
       in the price of shipping by air, manufacturers' search for low-cost labor
       in developing countries, and the increasingly time-sensitive nature of
       product-delivery schedules due to shorter product life-cycles and
       "just-in-time" inventory management. In addition to growth in the global
       air cargo market, the Company expects to benefit from growth in the
       export-driven economies of the countries in the Pacific Rim, where the
       Company has focused a significant amount of its flight operations.
       According to Boeing reports, eastbound and westbound Trans-Pacific cargo
       volumes grew at an average annual rate of 6.9% and 14.3%, respectively,
       between 1986 and 1996, and are projected to grow at an average annual
       rate of 8.0% and 8.1%, respectively, between 1996 and 2016. Similarly,
       northbound and southbound air cargo volumes between North America and
       South America increased at an average annual rate of 9.4% and 8.8%,
       respectively, between 1986 and 1996, and are projected to grow at an
       average annual rate of 6.5% and 6.7%, respectively, from 1996 to 2016.
       Additionally, eastbound and westbound North Atlantic air cargo volumes
       increased at an average annual rate of 8.4% and 5.9%, respectively,
       between 1986 and 1996 and are projected to grow at average annual rates
       of 6.7% and 7.2%, respectively, from 1996 to 2016. The Company believes
       that, as a U.S. certificated "flag" carrier, it is well positioned to
       benefit from the progressive expansion of international trade and the
       consequential growth in global air cargo markets, particularly in Asia,
       South America and Europe, where the Company has concentrated a
       significant portion of its resources. The Company has not experienced any
       adverse impact on its business as a result of the recent turmoil in the
       Asian financial markets, although there can be no assurances that there
       will not be any future impact.
 
                                  THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
Purpose and Effect.........  The Old Notes were sold by the Company on April 9,
                             1998 to BT Alex. Brown Incorporated and Morgan
                             Stanley & Co. Incorporated (together, the "Initial
                             Purchaser"), who privately placed the Old Notes
                             with certain institutional investors. In connection
                             therewith, the Company executed and delivered for
                             the benefit of the holders of the Old Notes a
                             registration rights agreement (the "Registration
                             Rights Agreement") providing for, among other
                             things, the Exchange Offer. See "The Exchange
                             Offer -- Terms of the Exchange Offer."
 
Terms of the Exchange
Offer......................  New Notes are being offered in exchange for a like
                             principal amount of Old Notes. Old Notes may be
                             exchanged only in integral multiples of $1,000. The
                             Company will issue the New Notes to holders
                             promptly following acceptance of the Old Notes by
                             the Company after the Expiration Date. See "Risk
                             Factors -- Consequences of Failure to Exchange."
                             Holders of the Old Notes do not have appraisal or
                             dissenters' rights in connection with the Exchange
                             Offer under the Delaware General Corporation Law,
                             the governing law of the state of incorporation of
                             the Company. See "The Exchange Offer -- Terms of
                             the Exchange Offer."
 
Minimum Condition..........  The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any
                             minimum aggregate principal amount of Old Notes
                             being tendered or accepted for exchange. See "The
                             Exchange Offer -- Certain Conditions to the
                             Exchange Offer."
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   10
 
   
Expiration Date............  5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 9, 1998,
                             unless the Exchange Offer is extended, in which
                             case the term "Expiration Date" means the latest
                             date and time to which the Exchange Offer is
                             extended. See "The Exchange Offer -- Terms of the
                             Exchange Offer."
    
 
Conditions.................  The Exchange Offer is subject to certain customary
                             conditions, which may be waived by the Company. The
                             Company reserves the right to terminate or amend
                             the Exchange Offer at any time prior to the
                             Expiration Date upon the occurrence of any such
                             condition. The Exchange Offer is also subject to
                             the terms and provisions of the Registration Rights
                             Agreement. NO VOTE OF THE COMPANY'S SECURITYHOLDERS
                             IS REQUIRED TO EFFECT THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND NO
                             SUCH VOTE (OR PROXY THEREFOR) IS BEING SOUGHT
                             HEREBY. See "The Exchange Offer -- Certain
                             Conditions to the Exchange Offer."
 
Procedures for tendering
Old Notes..................  Each holder of Old Notes wishing to accept the
                             Exchange Offer must complete, sign and date the
                             Letter of Transmittal, or a facsimile thereof, in
                             accordance with the instructions contained herein
                             and therein, and mail or otherwise deliver such
                             Letter of Transmittal, or such facsimile, together
                             with the Old Notes, or a Book-Entry Confirmation
                             (as defined), as the case may be, and any other
                             required documentation to the exchange agent (the
                             "Exchange Agent") at the address set forth herein.
                             The method of delivery of such documentation is at
                             the election and risk of the holder. By executing
                             the Letter of Transmittal, each holder will
                             represent to the Company, among other things, that
                             (i) the New Notes acquired pursuant to the Exchange
                             Offer by the holder and any beneficial owners of
                             Old Notes are being obtained in the ordinary course
                             of business of the person receiving such New Notes,
                             (ii) neither the holder nor such beneficial owner
                             is participating in, intends to participate in or
                             has an arrangement or understanding with any person
                             to participate in, the distribution of such New
                             Notes and (iii) neither the holder nor such
                             beneficial owner is an "affiliate," as defined
                             under Rule 405 of the Securities Act, of the
                             Company. Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes
                             for its own account in exchange for Old Notes,
                             where such Old Notes were acquired by such broker
                             or dealer as a result of market-making activities
                             or other trading activities (other than Old Notes
                             acquired directly from the Company), must
                             acknowledge in the Letter of Transmittal that it
                             will deliver a prospectus in connection with any
                             resale of such New Notes. See "The Exchange
                             Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Notes" and
                             "Plan of Distribution."
 
Special Procedures for
Beneficial Owners..........  Any beneficial owner whose Old Notes are registered
                             in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank,
                             trust company or other nominee and who wishes to
                             tender, should contact such registered holder
                             promptly and instruct such registered holder to
                             tender on such beneficial owner's behalf. If such
                             beneficial owner wishes to tender on such owner's
                             own behalf, such owner must, prior to completing
                             and executing the Letter of Transmittal and
                             delivering his or her Old Notes, either make
                             appropriate arrangements to register ownership of
                             the Old Notes in such owner's name or obtain a
                             properly completed bond power from the registered
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   11
 
                             holder. The transfer of registered ownership may
                             take considerable time. See "The Exchange
                             Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Old Notes."
 
Book-Entry Transfer........  Any financial institution that is a participant in
                             the Book-Entry Transfer Facility's (as defined)
                             system may make book-entry delivery of Old Notes by
                             causing the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to
                             transfer such Old Notes into the Exchange Agent's
                             account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility in
                             accordance with such Book-Entry Transfer Facility's
                             procedures for transfer. See "The Exchange
                             Offer -- Book-Entry Transfer."
 
Withdrawal Rights..........  Tenders may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00
                             p.m. New York City time, on the Expiration Date.
                             See "The Exchange Offer -- Withdrawal of Tenders."
 
Acceptance of Old Notes and
  Delivery of New Notes....  Upon satisfaction or waiver of all conditions of
                             the Exchange Offer, the Company will accept for
                             exchange any and all Old Notes which are properly
                             tendered and not withdrawn prior to 5:00 p.m., New
                             York City time, on the Expiration Date. The New
                             Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be
                             delivered promptly following acceptance of the Old
                             Notes by the Company after the Expiration Date. See
                             "The Exchange Offer -- Acceptance of Old Notes for
                             Exchange; Delivery of New Notes."
 
Federal Income Tax
  Consequences.............  The exchange of Old Notes for New Notes by
                             tendering holders will not be a taxable exchange
                             for federal income tax purposes as a result of such
                             exchange. See "Certain Federal Income Tax
                             Consequences."
 
Regulatory Approvals.......  The Company does not believe that the receipt of
                             any material federal or state regulatory approvals
                             will be necessary in connection with the Exchange
                             Offer. See "The Exchange Offer -- Regulatory
                             Approvals."
 
Use of Proceeds............  The Company will not receive any proceeds from the
                             exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer. See "Use
                             of Proceeds."
 
Exchange Agent.............  State Street Bank & Trust Company is serving as
                             Exchange Agent in connection with the Exchange
                             Offer. See "The Exchange Offer -- Exchange Agent."
 
Resales of the New Notes...  The New Notes are being offered hereunder in order
                             to satisfy certain obligations of the Company
                             contained in the Registration Rights Agreement.
                             Based on positions of the Commission and no action
                             or interpretive letters issued to third parties,
                             the Company believes that the New Notes issued
                             pursuant to the Exchange Offer to a holder in
                             exchange for Old Notes may be offered for resale,
                             resold and otherwise transferred by any holder
                             thereof (other than any such holder which is an
                             "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of
                             Rule 405 under the Securities Act), without
                             compliance with the registration and prospectus
                             delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided
                             that such New Notes are acquired in the ordinary
                             course of such holder's business and such holder is
                             not participating, does not intend to participate
                             and has no arrangement or understanding with any
                             person to participate in the distribution of such
                             New Notes. If any holder acquires New Notes in the
                             Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing or
                             participating in a distribution of New Notes, such
                             holder cannot rely on the position of the staff of
                             the Commission set forth in its non-action and
                             interpretive letters and must
                                        5
<PAGE>   12
 
                             comply with the registration and prospectus
                             delivery requirements of the Securities Act in
                             connection with a secondary resale transaction,
                             unless an exemption from registration is otherwise
                             available. Each broker-dealer that receives New
                             Notes for its own account pursuant to the Exchange
                             Offer must acknowledge that (i) Old Notes tendered
                             by it in the Exchange Offer were acquired in the
                             ordinary course of its business as a result of
                             market-making or other trading activities and (ii)
                             it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any
                             resale of New Notes received in the Exchange Offer.
                             This Prospectus, as it may be amended or
                             supplemented from time to time, may be used by a
                             broker-dealer in connection with any resale of the
                             New Notes received in exchange for Old Notes where
                             such Old Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer
                             as a result of market-making or other trading
                             activities (other than Old Notes acquired directly
                             from the Company). The Company has agreed that, for
                             a period of 180 days following the consummation of
                             the Exchange Offer, it will make this Prospectus
                             available to any broker-dealer for use in
                             connection with any such resale. See "The Exchange
                             Offer -- Resales of the New Notes" and "Plan of
                             Distribution."
 
                        SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF NEW NOTES
 
Securities Offered.........  $175,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 9 1/4%
                             Senior Notes due 2008.
 
Issuer.....................  Atlas Air, Inc.
 
Maturity Date..............  April 15, 2008.
Interest Payment Dates.....  Interest on the New Notes will accrue from the last
                             interest payment date on which interest was paid on
                             the Old Notes surrendered in exchange therefor or,
                             if no interest has been paid on the Old Notes, from
                             the date of original issuance of the Old Notes and
                             will be payable semi-annually on each April 15 and
                             October 15 of each year, commencing October 15,
                             1998.
   
Ranking....................  The New Notes will represent general unsecured
                             obligations of the Company ranking senior to all
                             subordinated indebtedness of the Company and pari
                             passu in right of payment to all existing and
                             future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness of the
                             Company and senior in right of payment to all
                             subordinated indebtedness of the Company. The New
                             Notes will be effectively subordinated, however, to
                             all secured indebtedness of the Company and all
                             existing and future liabilities of the Company's
                             subsidiaries. As of June 30, 1998, on a pro forma
                             basis after giving effect to the Offering and the
                             application of the proceeds thereof, the Company
                             would have had approximately $501.2 million of
                             indebtedness outstanding (including approximately
                             $174.2 million of secured indebtedness) and the
                             Company's subsidiaries would have had approximately
                             $377.7 million of liabilities outstanding.
    
 
Optional Redemption........  The New Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in
                             part, at the option of the Company on or after
                             April 15, 2003, at the redemption prices set forth
                             herein, plus accrued interest to the date of
                             redemption. In addition, at any time on or prior to
                             April 15, 2001, the Company, at its option, may
                             redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount
                             of the Notes originally issued with the net cash
                             proceeds of one or more Public Equity Offerings, at
                             a redemption price equal to 109.25% of the
                             principal amount thereof plus accrued interest to
                             the date of redemption; provided
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   13
 
                             at least $113.75 million of the aggregate principal
                             amount of the Notes originally issued remains
                             outstanding immediately after any such redemption.
 
Change of Control..........  Upon a Change of Control (as defined), each holder
                             of the New Notes will have the right to require the
                             Company to repurchase such holder's New Notes at a
                             price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof
                             plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of
                             repurchase. There can be no assurance that, in the
                             event of a Change of Control, the Company will
                             have, or be able to obtain, sufficient funds to
                             repurchase the New Notes.
 
Certain Covenants..........  The Indenture governing the New Notes (the
                             "Indenture") contains certain limitations on the
                             ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to,
                             among other things, incur additional indebtedness,
                             pay dividends or make certain other restricted
                             payments, consummate certain asset sales, enter
                             into certain transactions with affiliates, incur
                             liens, create restrictions on the ability of a
                             subsidiary to pay dividends or make certain
                             payments, sell or issue preferred stock of
                             subsidiaries to third parties, merge or consolidate
                             with any other person or sell, assign, transfer,
                             lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or
                             substantially all of the assets of the Company.
 
   
     For additional information regarding the New Notes, see "Description of
Notes."
    
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     See "Risk Factors" for a discussion of certain factors that should be
considered by holders prior to tendering their Old Notes in the Exchange Offer.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   14
 
                      SUMMARY FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA
 
   
     The summary financial data presented below have been derived from the
consolidated financial statements of the Company. The data for the years ended
December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994 and 1993 were derived from the Company's
audited consolidated financial statements and related notes, and other financial
information incorporated herein. The data for the six months ended June 30, 1998
and 1997 were derived from the Company's unaudited consolidated financial
statements, which, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments
(consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair
presentation of the information set forth herein. The results of operations for
the interim periods presented are not indicative of the results that may be
expected for the full year. The following information should be read in
conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations" and the Company's consolidated financial statements
and notes thereto, which are incorporated herein.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                    SIX MONTHS
                                                     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                      ENDED JUNE 30,
                                    ---------------------------------------------------------   -------------------
                                      1993        1994        1995        1996        1997        1997       1998
                                    ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   --------   --------
                                    (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS AND OPERATING DATA)        (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                 <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Total operating revenues..........  $ 41,263    $102,979    $171,267    $315,659    $401,041    $175,951   $167,584
Operating expenses:
  Flight crew salaries and
    benefits......................     4,243       8,887      14,584      25,020      30,153      13,947     14,449
  Other flight-related expenses...     7,844       9,270      12,361      27,404      28,784      13,722     11,977
  Maintenance.....................     8,052      24,517      42,574      84,305     123,820      55,011     41,516
  Aircraft and engine rentals.....     1,758      14,044      22,902      27,341      31,644      15,485      2,186
  Fuel and ground handling........     4,575       9,747       5,027      10,554      10,816       7,128      3,747
  Depreciation and amortization...     5,647       7,451      14,793      25,515      42,945      19,174     25,237
  Other...........................     8,698      15,169      16,352      27,457      49,777      17,896     15,411
  Write-off of capital investment
    and other.....................        --          --          --          --      27,100      27,100         --
                                    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------   --------
Total operating expenses..........    40,817      89,085     128,593     227,596     345,039     169,463    114,523
                                    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------   --------
Operating income..................       446      13,894      42,674      88,063      56,002       6,488     53,061
Other income (expense):
  Interest income.................       244         490       2,025       7,102       7,365       3,491      4,592
  Interest expense................   (10,101)    (10,784)    (18,460)    (35,577)    (52,834)    (23,647)   (33,185)
                                    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------   --------
Total other income (expense)......    (9,857)    (10,294)    (16,435)    (28,475)    (45,469)    (20,156)   (28,593)
                                    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------   --------
Income (loss) before income
  taxes...........................    (9,411)      3,600      26,239      59,588      10,533     (13,668)    24,468
Income tax benefit (expense)......     1,388         (14)     (8,408)    (21,750)     (3,844)      4,989     (9,053)
                                    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------   --------
Income (loss) before extraordinary
  item............................    (8,023)      3,586      17,831      37,838       6,689      (8,679)    15,415
Extraordinary item: Gain from
  extinguishment of debt, net of
  applicable taxes of $9,622(1)...        --          --          --          --      16,740      16,740         --
                                    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------   --------
Net income (loss).................  $ (8,023)   $  3,586    $ 17,831    $ 37,838    $ 23,429    $  8,061   $ 15,415
                                    ========    ========    ========    ========    ========    ========   ========
OTHER DATA:
EBITDA(2).........................  $  6,093    $ 21,345    $ 57,467    $113,578    $127,608    $ 53,449   $ 78,472
Ratio of EBITDA to interest
  expense(2)......................      0.60x       1.98x       3.11x       3.19x       2.42x       2.26x      2.36x
Ratio of earnings to fixed
  charges(3)......................        --(4)     1.21x       1.86x       2.11x       1.30x       1.40x      1.12x
OPERATING DATA:
Total block hours flown(5)........     7,907      19,049      33,265      59,445      75,254      32,984     32,216
Revenue per block hour............  $  5,219    $  5,406    $  5,149    $  5,310    $  5,329    $  5,334   $  5,202
EBITDA per block hour(2)..........  $    771    $  1,121    $  1,728    $  1,911    $  1,696    $  1,620   $  2,436
Average aircraft operated(6)......       2.1         5.2         7.7        14.7        19.5        18.4       17.3
Total aircraft (at end of
  period).........................         3           6          10          17          17          20         18
</TABLE>
    
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   15
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                JUNE 30,
                                                                  1998
                                                              -------------
<S>                                                           <C>
                                                                   (IN
                                                               THOUSANDS)
 
<CAPTION>
                                                               (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                           <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments...........   $  206,833
Net property and equipment..................................    1,324,109
Total assets................................................    1,628,682
Total debt(7)...............................................      956,015
Deferred aircraft obligations...............................      295,923
Stockholders' equity........................................      253,059
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 
(1) In May 1997, the Company recognized an extraordinary gain, net of applicable
    taxes of $9,622, as a result of the extinguishment of a portion of the
    Company's debt.
 
(2) EBITDA represents income (loss) before income taxes, depreciation and
    amortization, and total other income (expense), as adjusted to exclude the
    "Write-off of capital investment and other" in the second quarter of 1997.
    EBITDA is not a recognized measure of performance under GAAP and should not
    be considered in isolation or as an alternative to, or more meaningful than,
    operating income or operating cash flows prepared in accordance with GAAP as
    an indicator of the Company's operating performance or liquidity. The
    Company believes that EBITDA may provide additional information about the
    Company's ability to meet its future requirements for debt service, capital
    expenditures and working capital. When evaluating EBITDA, investors should
    consider, among other factors, (i) increasing or decreasing trends in
    EBITDA, (ii) whether EBITDA has remained at positive levels historically and
    (iii) how EBITDA compares to levels of interest expense. Other companies may
    define EBITDA differently, and as a result, such measures may not be
    comparable to the Company's EBITDA.
 
(3) In calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consists of
    income (loss) prior to income tax benefit (expense), as adjusted to exclude
    the "Write-off of capital investment and other" in the second quarter of
    1997, and fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest for the period).
    Fixed charges consist of interest expense (including amounts capitalized),
    amortization of debt issuance costs and one-third of rental payments on
    operating leases (such one-third portion having been deemed by the Company
    to represent the interest portion of such payments).
 
(4) Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $9,411 for the year
    ended December 31, 1993.
 
(5) Total block hours flown for an aircraft represents the elapsed time from the
    moment the aircraft first moves at the point of origin to the time it comes
    to rest at its destination.
 
(6) Average aircraft operated represents the total number of aircraft operated
    during each day of a given period divided by the number of days in such
    period.
 
(7) The EETCs (as defined) issued in the Company's recent EETC financing are not
    direct obligations of, or guaranteed by, the Company and therefore will not
    be included in the Company's consolidated financial statements. If, at
    delivery of an aircraft to which the EETCs relate, the Company does not
    enter into a leveraged lease transaction in connection with any such
    aircraft, the Company will take ownership of such aircraft and the
    corresponding EETCs will revert to a direct obligation of the Company. See
    "Description of Certain Indebtedness -- Enhanced Equipment Trust
    Certificates."
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   16
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     In addition to the other information in this Prospectus holders of the Old
Notes should carefully consider the following factors prior to exchanging Old
Notes for the New Notes offered hereby.
 
CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO EXCHANGE
 
     Holders of Old Notes who do not exchange their Old Notes for New Notes
pursuant to the Exchange Offer will continue to be subject to the restrictions
on transfer of such Old Notes, as set forth in the legend thereon, as a
consequence of the issuance of the Old Notes pursuant to exemptions from, or in
transactions not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act
and applicable state securities laws. In general, the Old Notes may not be
offered or sold, unless registered under the Securities Act, except pursuant to
an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the Securities Act and
applicable state securities laws. The Company does not currently anticipate that
it will register the Old Notes under the Securities Act. Based on
interpretations by the staff of the Commission set forth in no-action letters
issued to third parties, the Company believes that the New Notes issued pursuant
to the Exchange Offer to a holder in exchange for Old Notes may be offered for
resale, resold or otherwise transferred by any holder thereof (other than any
such holder which is an "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of Rule
405 under the Securities Act) without compliance with the registration and
prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such New
Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such holder's business and such
holder is not participating, does not intend to participate and has no
arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution
of such New Notes. Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own
account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a
prospectus in connection with any resale of such New Notes. The Letter of
Transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a
broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the
meaning of the Securities Act. This Prospectus, as it may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection
with any resale of New Notes received in exchange for Old Notes where such Old
Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities (other than Old Notes acquired directly
from the Company). The Company has agreed that, for a period of 180 days
following the consummation of the Exchange Offer, it will make this Prospectus
available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale.
However, the ability of any holder to resell the New Notes is subject to
applicable state securities laws. To the extent that Old Notes are tendered and
accepted in the Exchange Offer, the trading market, if any, for the Old Notes
not so tendered could be adversely affected. See "The Exchange Offer" and "Plan
of Distribution."
 
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH EXCHANGE OFFER PROCEDURES
 
     To participate in the Exchange Offer and avoid the restrictions on transfer
of the Old Notes, holders of Old Notes must transmit a properly completed Letter
of Transmittal, including all other documents required by such Letter of
Transmittal, to the Exchange Agent at one of the addresses set forth below under
"The Exchange Offer -- Exchange Agent" on or prior to the Expiration Date. In
addition, either (i) certificates for such Old Notes must be received by the
Exchange Agent along with the Letter of Transmittal or (ii) a timely
confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such Old Notes, if such procedure is
available, into the Exchange Agent's account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility
pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer described herein, must be
received by the Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date, or (iii) the holder
must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures described herein and in the
Letter of Transmittal. The method of delivery of the Old Notes and the Letter of
Transmittal and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent is at the
election and risk of the holder. See "The Exchange Offer."
 
SUBSTANTIAL LEVERAGE; ABILITY TO SERVICE DEBT
 
   
     The Company is highly leveraged. After giving pro forma effect to the
Offering and the application of the proceeds thereof, as of June 30, 1998, the
Company's total indebtedness outstanding would have been approximately $501.2
million and the Company's subsidiaries would have had approximately $377.7
million of liabilities outstanding. The Company's high degree of leverage could
have important consequences to holders
    
                                       10
<PAGE>   17
 
of the Notes, including the following: (i) the Company's ability to obtain
additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or
general corporate purposes may be diminished in the future; (ii) a substantial
portion of the Company's cash flow from operations will be required for the
payment of principal and interest on its indebtedness, thereby reducing the
funds available to the Company for its operations and other purposes; (iii) the
Company may be substantially more leveraged than certain of its competitors,
which may place the Company at a competitive disadvantage; (iv) the Company's
substantial degree of leverage may hinder its ability to adjust rapidly to
changing market conditions and could make it more vulnerable in the event of a
downturn in general economic conditions or its business; and (v) substantially
all of the Company's other indebtedness will become due prior to the time the
principal payment on the Notes will become due.
 
     The Company's ability to make scheduled payments of the principal of, or to
pay interest on, or to refinance, its indebtedness (including the Notes) and to
make scheduled payments under its lease obligations depends on its future
performance, which to a certain extent is subject to economic, financial,
competitive and other factors beyond its control. There can be no assurance,
however, that the Company's business will continue to generate sufficient cash
flow from operations in the future to service its debt. If unable to do so, the
Company may be required to refinance all or a portion of its existing debt,
including the Notes, to sell assets or to obtain additional financing. There can
be no assurance that any such refinancing or that any such sale of assets or
additional financing would be possible on terms reasonably favorable to the
Company.
 
AVAILABILITY OF 747-400 AIRCRAFT FINANCING; DELIVERY DELAYS
 
   
     On June 9, 1997, the Company entered into an agreement with Boeing to
purchase 10 new 747-400 freighter aircraft to be powered by engines acquired
from GE, with options to purchase up to 10 additional 747-400 aircraft. The
aggregate value of the 10 747-400 aircraft, four installed engines per aircraft
and five spare engines, based on list prices, is approximately $1.7 billion. In
February 1998, the Company completed an offering of $538.9 million of enhanced
equipment trust certificates (the "EETCs"), the proceeds of which were deposited
with the Escrow Agent to be used to finance a portion of the acquisition cost of
the first five of the 10 747-400 aircraft scheduled to be delivered during the
period July 1998 through December 1998. While the Company currently anticipates
that it will be able to obtain the necessary financing on a timely basis to pay
the total purchase price for the remaining 747-400 aircraft to be acquired,
there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain sufficient
financing or, if such financing is available, that it will be available on
commercially reasonable terms. A recent decision of the United States District
Court for the District of Colorado (in which state the Company's headquarters
are located) raises questions concerning the ability of lenders and lessors
under certain types of aircraft equipment financing arrangements to exercise
special remedies under bankruptcy law against a bankrupt air carrier, which
decision if not reversed or modified could increase the cost of the Company's
future aircraft financing arrangements. If the Company is unable to obtain
sufficient financing, the Company could be required to modify its expansion
plans, incur higher than anticipated financing costs or incur various penalty
payments under the Boeing Purchase Agreement, which could have a material
adverse effect on the Company. Due to production problems at Boeing, some of the
1998 delivery positions of the 747-400 aircraft have been and may continue to be
delayed up to 60 days. While Boeing has agreed to compensate the Company for
delays in delivery of the 747-400 aircraft pursuant to the Boeing Purchase
Agreement, any further delays could adversely impact the Company's ability to
initiate service with prospective customers in a timely fashion.
    
 
RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY TERMS OF THE COMPANY'S INDEBTEDNESS; EFFECTIVE
SUBORDINATION OF THE NOTES TO SECURED INDEBTEDNESS
 
     The Indenture restricts, among other things, the Company's ability to incur
additional indebtedness, incur liens, pay dividends or make certain other
restricted payments, consummate certain asset sales, enter into certain
transactions with affiliates, impose restrictions on the ability of a subsidiary
to pay dividends or make certain payments to the Company, merge or consolidate
with any other person or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise
dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company. In addition,
certain of the Company's other debt instruments contain other more restrictive
financial and operating covenants. See "Description of Certain Indebtedness" and
"Description of Notes -- Certain Covenants." The Company's
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   18
 
ability to meet such financial ratios and tests may be affected by events beyond
its control. There can be no assurance that the Company will meet such tests. A
breach of any of these covenants could result in a default under certain debt
instruments and/or the Indenture. Upon the occurrence of an event of default
under the various debt instruments, the lenders thereunder could elect to
declare all amounts outstanding thereunder, together with accrued interest, to
be immediately due and payable. If the Company was unable to repay those
amounts, such lenders could proceed against the collateral granted to them to
secure that indebtedness. If such lenders accelerate the payment of such
indebtedness, there can be no assurance that the assets of the Company would be
sufficient to repay in full such indebtedness and the other indebtedness of the
Company, including the Notes.
 
   
     The Notes are unsecured and thus will be effectively subordinated in right
of payment to any secured indebtedness of the Company to the extent of the value
of any assets securing such indebtedness. Substantially all of the indebtedness
of the Company, other than the Old Notes and the Senior Notes (as defined), are
secured by liens on substantially all of the fixed assets of the Company. As of
June 30, 1998, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Offering and the
application of the proceeds thereof, the Company would have had approximately
$174.2 million of secured indebtedness outstanding and the Company's
subsidiaries would have had approximately $377.7 million of liabilities
outstanding, substantially all of which represented secured indebtedness and
accrued interest thereon. In bankruptcy, the holder of a security interest with
respect to any assets of the Company will be entitled to have the proceeds of
such assets applied to the payment of such holder's claim before the remaining
proceeds, if any, are applied to the claims of the holders of the Notes. In
addition to indebtedness of the Company outstanding on the date of original
issuance of the Old Notes, the Indenture permits the Company and its
Subsidiaries (as defined) to incur additional secured indebtedness under certain
circumstances. See "Description of Notes -- Certain Covenants -- Limitation on
Incurrence of Additional Indebtedness."
    
 
COMPETITION
 
   
     The market for air cargo services is highly competitive. A number of
airlines currently provide services for themselves and for others, similar to
the services offered by the Company, and new airlines may be formed that would
also compete with the Company. Such airlines may have substantially greater
financial resources than the Company. In addition, certain retail air freight
companies, such as Evergreen International, Southern Air Transport and Kitty
Hawk, compete with the Company on a limited, indirect basis, generally outside
of the ACMI operating structure. The Company believes that the most important
bases for competition in the air cargo business are the range, payload and cubic
capacities of the aircraft and the price, flexibility, quality and reliability
of the cargo transportation service. The Company provides reliable
airport-to-airport cargo transportation services throughout the world to major
international air carriers generally under three- to five-year fixed-rate U.S.
dollar denominated contracts which typically require that the Company supply
aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance. The ability of the Company to achieve
its strategic plan depends upon its success in convincing major international
airlines that outsourcing some portion of their air cargo business remains more
cost-effective than undertaking cargo operations with their own incremental
capacity and resources and the ability of the Company to obtain higher ACMI
Contract rates in connection with the 747-400 aircraft compared to those
currently obtained in connection with existing 747-200 aircraft.
    
 
DEPENDENCE ON SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS; GEOGRAPHIC CONCENTRATION
 
     In 1997, China Airlines, Fast Air and Lufthansa accounted for approximately
34%, 11% and 8%, respectively, of the Company's total operating revenues. The
Company believes that its relationships with its customers are mutually
satisfactory, as evidenced by the fact that in the last three years it has
renewed twelve ACMI Contracts with customers including China Airlines and KLM,
and entered into nine new ACMI Contracts with its existing customers. However,
there can be no assurance that any of these agreements will be renewed upon
their expiration. The scheduled termination dates for the current ACMI Contracts
range from 1998 to 2002. See "Business -- ACMI Contracts." The failure to renew
any of these agreements, or the renewal of any of these agreements on terms less
favorable to the Company, could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Additionally, the Company has concentrated a significant percentage of its
resources
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   19
 
in routes between the United States and Asia and the Pacific Rim and between
Europe and Asia and the Pacific Rim. Any economic decline or any military or
political disturbance in these areas of the world might prevent or interfere
with the Company's ability to provide service to its Asian and Pacific Rim
destinations and could have a material adverse effect on the Company. The
Company has not experienced any adverse impact on its business resulting from
the current turmoil in the Asian financial markets; however, there can be no
assurance that continuation of the turmoil in the Asian financial markets could
not have an adverse impact on air cargo market growth generally, which could
adversely affect the Company's ability to obtain new ACMI Contracts or to renew
existing ACMI Contracts.
 
OPERATIONS DEPENDENT UPON LIMITED FLEET
 
     The Boeing 747-200 aircraft in the existing fleet are typically dedicated
by the Company to the service of one or more ACMI Contracts. Although the
Company typically utilizes spare aircraft, in the event one or more of the
Company's aircraft were to be lost or out of service for an extended period of
time, the Company may have difficulty fulfilling its obligations under one or
more of its ACMI Contracts. While the Company believes that its insurance
coverage is sufficient to cover the replacement cost of an aircraft, there can
be no assurance that suitable replacement aircraft could be located or that, if
located, the Company could contract for the services of such an aircraft without
undertaking substantial costs therefor. While the Company carries aircraft hull
physical damage and third party liability insurance, any extended interruption
of the Company's operations due to the loss of an aircraft could have a material
adverse effect on the Company.
 
UTILIZATION OF FUTURE AIRCRAFT
 
   
     The Company has not yet obtained long-term ACMI Contracts to be serviced by
the 747-400 aircraft scheduled to be delivered in October 1998 and beyond. See
"-- Availability of 747-400 Aircraft Financing; Delivery Delays." Although the
Company intends to have a new long-term ACMI Contract in place for the aircraft
not yet converted from passenger to freighter configuration by the time it is
placed in service, to the extent arrangements for such a contract have not been
made at such time, the Company would seek other revenue opportunities for such
aircraft which it believes are generally available, although there can be no
assurance that such opportunities will be available at such time. The failure to
generate adequate revenue from new aircraft pending the entering into of ACMI
Contracts, or the failure to secure ACMI Contracts for such aircraft as well as
the aircraft currently in service in the Company's fleet, could have a material
adverse effect on the Company. See "Business -- Aircraft."
    
 
AGING AIRCRAFT
 
   
     The Company's fleet currently includes 20 Boeing 747-200 aircraft, all of
which were manufactured between 1974 and 1986. Manufacturer Service Bulletins
("Service Bulletins") and the Federal Aviation Administration's ("FAA")
Airworthiness Directives ("Directives") issued under its "Aging Aircraft"
program cause Boeing 747-200 aircraft operators to be subject to extensive
aircraft examinations and require Boeing 747-200 aircraft to undergo structural
inspections and modifications to address problems of corrosion and structural
fatigue at specified times. For instance, in November 1994, Boeing issued
Nacelle Strut Modification Service Bulletins which have been converted into
Directives by the FAA. Seven of the Company's Boeing 747-200 aircraft will have
to be brought into compliance with such Directives by March 2000 at an estimated
aggregate cost of approximately $3.5 million. Other Directives have been issued
that require inspections and minor modifications to Boeing 747-200 aircraft. It
is possible that additional Service Bulletins or Directives applicable to the
types of aircraft or engines included in the Company's fleet could be issued in
the future. The cost of compliance with Directives and of following Service
Bulletins cannot currently be estimated, but could be substantial.
    
 
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
 
     The Company believes it operates with lower incremental personnel costs
than many established international airlines and cargo carriers, principally due
to the flexibility and high productivity of its workforce,
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   20
 
arising in part as a result of the Company's emphasis on providing financial
incentives to its personnel that are focused on the Company's financial
performance rather than on base wages. The Company's employees are not currently
subject to a collective bargaining agreement; however, many airline industry
employees are subject to such agreements and the Company's employees have been
solicited from time to time by union representatives seeking to organize them,
the most recent solicitation having resulted in the Atlas pilots rejecting
representation by the Air Line Pilots Association ("ALPA") on January 27, 1998.
There can be no assurance that the Company's employees will not become subject
to a collective bargaining agreement and the extent to which, if any, such
collective bargaining agreement may adversely impact the Company's operations or
cost structure.
 
REGULATORY MATTERS
 
     Under the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as amended and recodified (the
"Aviation Act"), the Department of Transportation ("DOT") and the FAA exercise
regulatory authority over the Company. The Company has obtained the necessary
authority to conduct flight operations, including a Certificate of Public
Convenience and Necessity from the DOT and an Air Carrier Operating Certificate
from the FAA; however, the continuation of such authority is subject to
continued compliance by the Company with applicable statutes, rules and
regulations pertaining to the airline industry, including any new rules and
regulations that may be adopted in the future. All air carriers are subject to
the strict scrutiny and inspection by FAA officials and to the imposition of new
regulatory requirements that can negatively affect their operations. DOT and FAA
approval is required for each of the Company's long-term ACMI Contracts. In
addition, FAA approval is required for each of the Company's short-term seasonal
ACMI Contracts. In order to provide service to foreign points, the Company must
also obtain permission for such operations from the applicable foreign
governments and certain airport authorities. See "Business -- Governmental
Regulation." In addition, DOT regulates the transportation of hazardous
materials by air cargo carriers. Although customers are required to label
shipments that contain hazardous materials, customers may not inform the Company
when their cargo includes hazardous materials. Although the Company has never
had such an incident, the transportation of unmanifested hazardous materials
could result in fines, penalties, banning hazardous materials from Company
aircraft for a period of time, possible damage to the Company's aircraft or
other liability.
 
CONTROL BY PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDER
 
     Michael A. Chowdry, the founder, Chief Executive Officer, President and
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, beneficially owns
approximately 59.1% of the outstanding common stock of the Company. As a result,
Mr. Chowdry will be able to direct and control the policies of the Company,
including the election of directors and mergers, sales of assets and other such
transactions.
 
DEPENDENCE UPON KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL
 
     The Company believes that its success in acquiring ACMI Contracts and
managing its operations will depend substantially upon the continued services of
many of the present executive officers of the Company. The loss of the services
of any of such persons could have a material adverse effect on the Company. The
Company has employment agreements with such officers, which are generally
terminable at any time by either party.
 
SEASONALITY OF CUSTOMERS' CARGO OPERATIONS
 
     The cargo operations of the Company's airline customers are seasonal in
nature, with peak activity traditionally in the second half of the year, and
with a significant decline occurring in the first quarter. As a result, the
Company's revenues typically decline in the first quarter of the year as its
minimum contractual aircraft utilization level temporarily decreases. The
Company's ACMI Contracts typically allow the Company's customers to cancel a
maximum of 5% of the guaranteed hours of aircraft utilization over the course of
a year. The Company's customers most often exercise such cancellation options
early in the first quarter of the year, when the demand for air cargo capacity
has been historically low or following the seasonal holiday peak
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   21
 
in the latter part of the fourth quarter. See "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
 
CHANGE OF CONTROL
 
     Upon a Change of Control, the Company is required to offer to repurchase
all outstanding Notes at 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued
interest to the date of repurchase. The source of funds for any such repurchase
would be the Company's available cash or cash generated from other sources.
However, there can be no assurance that sufficient funds would be available at
the time of any Change of Control to make any required repurchases of Notes
tendered or, if applicable, that restrictions in certain of the Company's debt
instruments would permit the Company to make such required repurchases. See
"Description of Certain Indebtedness," and "Description of Notes -- Change of
Control."
 
ABSENCE OF PUBLIC MARKET FOR THE NEW NOTES
 
     There has previously been only a limited secondary market, and no public
market, for the Old Notes. The New Notes are a new issue of securities, have no
established trading market, and may not be widely distributed. The Company does
not intend to list the New Notes on any national securities exchange or to seek
the admission thereof to trading on any automated quotation system. No assurance
can be given that an active public or other market will develop for the New
Notes or as to the liquidity of or the trading market for the New Notes. If a
trading market does not develop or is not maintained, holders of the New Notes
may experience difficulty in reselling the New Notes or may be unable to sell
them at all. If a market for the New Notes develops, any such market may be
discontinued at any time. If a public trading market develops for the New Notes,
future trading prices of the New Notes will depend on many factors, including,
among other things, prevailing interest rates, the Company's results of
operations and the market for similar securities, and the price at which the
holders of New Notes will be able to sell such New Notes is not assured and the
New Notes could trade at a premium or discount to their purchase price or face
value. Depending on prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities
and other factors, including the financial condition of the Company, the New
Notes may trade at a discount from their principal amount.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   22
 
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
   
     The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Company at June
30, 1998 (i) on an actual basis, and (ii) as adjusted for the Offering of the
Old Notes and the application of the proceeds therefrom. The information below
is unaudited and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial
statements, including the notes thereto, included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    JUNE 30, 1998
                                                              -------------------------
                                                                ACTUAL      AS ADJUSTED
                                                              ----------    -----------
                                                                   (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments...........  $  206,833    $  293,806
                                                              ==========    ==========
Current portion of long-term debt...........................  $   54,373    $   54,373
                                                              ==========    ==========
Long-term debt, net of current portion:
     Aircraft Credit Facility...............................  $  102,149    $   22,149(1)
     AFL Term Loan Facility.................................     157,350       157,350
     AFL II Term Loan Facility..............................     157,350       157,350
     Equipment Notes(2).....................................     100,000       100,000
     Other secured aircraft indebtedness....................      58,413        58,413
     Senior Notes due 2005..................................     150,000       150,000
     Old Notes(3)...........................................     174,771       174,771
     Other debt.............................................       1,609         1,609
                                                              ----------    ----------
          Total long-term debt, net of current
            portion(4)(5)...................................     901,642       821,642
                                                              ----------    ----------
 
Stockholders' equity:
     Preferred stock, $1 par value; 10,000,000 shares
      authorized; no shares issued..........................          --            --
     Common stock, $0.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares
      authorized; 22,511,659 shares issued..................         225           225
     Additional paid-in capital.............................     177,288       177,288
     Retained earnings......................................      78,187        78,187
     Treasury stock, at cost; 75,336 shares.................      (2,641)       (2,641)
                                                              ----------    ----------
          Total stockholders' equity........................     253,059       253,059
                                                              ----------    ----------
               Total capitalization.........................  $1,154,701    $1,074,701
                                                              ==========    ==========
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 
   
(1) The Aircraft Credit Facility has a committed amount of $250.0 million of
    which $227.9 million is available as adjusted for the Offering and the
    application of the proceeds therefrom. See "Description of Certain
    Indebtedness -- Aircraft Credit Facility."
    
 
(2) For a description of the terms of the Equipment Notes underlying the 12 1/4%
    Pass Through Certificates due 2002, see "Description of Certain
    Indebtedness -- Equipment Notes."
 
   
(3) The Old Notes in the amount of $175.0 million were sold at 99.867% and are
    carried on the books of the Company as discounted, net of accretion.
    
 
   
(4) Total debt does not reflect deferred aircraft obligations of $295.9 million,
    of which $288.9 million represents the deferred pre-delivery deposits
    associated with the Boeing Purchase Agreement and $7.0 million represents
    the deferred pre-delivery deposits for the BBJ (as defined).
    
 
   
(5) The EETCs issued in the Company's recent EETC financing are not direct
    obligations of, or guaranteed by, the Company and therefore will not be
    included in the Company's consolidated financial statements. If, at delivery
    of an aircraft to which the EETCs relate, the Company does not enter into a
    leveraged lease transaction in connection with any such aircraft, the
    Company will take ownership of such aircraft and the corresponding EETCs
    will revert to a direct obligation of the Company. See "Description of
    Certain Indebtedness -- Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates."
    
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   23
 
                     SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA
 
   
     The selected financial data presented below have been derived from the
consolidated financial statements of the Company. The data for the years ended
December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994 and 1993 were derived from the Company's
audited consolidated financial statements and related notes, and other financial
information incorporated herein. The data for the six months ended June 30, 1998
and 1997 were derived from the Company's unaudited consolidated financial
statements, which, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments
(consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair
presentation of the information set forth herein. The results of operations for
the interim periods presented are not indicative of the results that may be
expected for the full year.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               SIX MONTHS
                                                YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                      ENDED JUNE 30,
                               ---------------------------------------------------------   -------------------
                                 1993        1994        1995        1996        1997        1997       1998
                               ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   ---------   --------   --------
                               (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS AND OPERATING DATA)        (UNAUDITED)
<S>                            <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Total operating revenues.....  $ 41,263    $102,979    $171,267    $315,659    $401,041    $175,951   $167,584
Operating expenses:
  Flight crew salaries and
    benefits.................     4,243       8,887      14,584      25,020      30,153      13,947     14,449
  Other flight-related
    expenses.................     7,844       9,270      12,361      27,404      28,784      13,722     11,977
  Maintenance................     8,052      24,517      42,574      84,305     123,820      55,011     41,516
  Aircraft and engine
    rentals..................     1,758      14,044      22,902      27,341      31,644      15,485      2,186
  Fuel and ground handling...     4,575       9,747       5,027      10,554      10,816       7,128      3,747
  Depreciation and
    amortization.............     5,647       7,451      14,793      25,515      42,945      19,174     25,237
  Other......................     8,698      15,169      16,352      27,457      49,777      17,896     15,411
  Write-off of capital
    investment and other.....        --          --          --          --      27,100      27,100         --
                               --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------   --------
Total operating expenses.....    40,817      89,085     128,593     227,596     345,039     169,463    114,523
                               --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------   --------
Operating income.............       446      13,894      42,674      88,063      56,002       6,488     53,061
Other income (expense):
  Interest income............       244         490       2,025       7,102       7,365       3,491      4,592
  Interest expense...........   (10,101)    (10,784)    (18,460)    (35,577)    (52,834)    (23,647)   (33,185)
                               --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------   --------
Total other income
  (expense)..................    (9,857)    (10,294)    (16,435)    (28,475)    (45,469)    (20,156)   (28,593)
                               --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------   --------
Income (loss) before income
  taxes......................    (9,411)      3,600      26,239      59,588      10,533     (13,668)    24,468
Income tax benefit
  (expense)..................     1,388         (14)     (8,408)    (21,750)     (3,844)      4,989     (9,053)
                               --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------   --------
Income (loss) before
  extraordinary item.........    (8,023)      3,586      17,831      37,838       6,689      (8,679)    15,415
Extraordinary item: Gain from
  extinguishment of debt, net
  of applicable taxes of
  $9,622(1)..................        --          --          --          --      16,740      16,740         --
                               --------    --------    --------    --------    --------    --------   --------
Net income (loss)............  $ (8,023)   $  3,586    $ 17,831    $ 37,838    $ 23,429    $  8,061   $ 15,415
                               ========    ========    ========    ========    ========    ========   ========
OTHER DATA:
EBITDA(2)....................  $  6,093    $ 21,345    $ 57,467    $113,578    $127,608    $ 53,449   $ 78,472
Ratio of EBITDA to interest
  expense(2).................      0.60x       1.98x       3.11x       3.19x       2.42x       2.26x      2.36x
Ratio of earnings to fixed
  charges(3).................        --(4)     1.21x       1.86x       2.11x       1.30x       1.40x      1.12x
OPERATING DATA:
Total block hours flown(5)...     7,907      19,049      33,265      59,445      75,254      32,984     32,216
Revenue per block hour.......  $  5,219    $  5,406    $  5,149    $  5,310    $  5,329    $  5,334   $  5,202
EBITDA per block hour(2).....  $    771    $  1,121    $  1,728    $  1,911    $  1,696    $  1,620   $  2,436
Average aircraft
  operated(6)................       2.1         5.2         7.7        14.7        19.5        18.4       17.3
Total aircraft (at end of
  period)....................         3           6          10          17          17          20         18
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   24
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            DECEMBER 31,
                                       ------------------------------------------------------    JUNE 30,
                                         1993       1994       1995       1996        1997         1998
                                       --------   --------   --------   --------   ----------   -----------
                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS)                (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                    <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term
  investments........................  $  6,198   $ 10,524   $ 96,990   $124,663   $  152,969   $  206,833
Net property and equipment...........   114,255    131,237    319,751    584,270    1,063,210    1,324,109
Total assets.........................   125,005    162,731    447,323    773,707    1,297,415    1,628,682
Total debt(7)........................   130,690    163,615    351,261    484,429      776,075      956,015
Deferred aircraft obligations........        --         --         --         --      163,167      295,923
Stockholders' equity (deficit).......   (19,339)   (15,753)    68,715    215,785      238,829      253,059
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 
(1) In May 1997, the Company recognized an extraordinary gain, net of applicable
    taxes of $9,622, as a result of the extinguishment of a portion of the
    Company's debt.
 
(2) EBITDA represents income (loss) before income taxes, depreciation and
    amortization, and total other income (expense), as adjusted to exclude the
    "Write-off of capital investment and other" in the second quarter of 1997.
    EBITDA is not a recognized measure of performance under GAAP and should not
    be considered in isolation or as an alternative to, or more meaningful than,
    operating income or operating cash flows prepared in accordance with GAAP as
    an indicator of the Company's operating performance or liquidity. The
    Company believes that EBITDA may provide additional information about the
    Company's ability to meet its future requirements for debt service, capital
    expenditures and working capital. When evaluating EBITDA, investors should
    consider, among other factors, (i) increasing or decreasing trends in
    EBITDA, (ii) whether EBITDA has remained at positive levels historically and
    (iii) how EBITDA compares to levels of interest expense. Other companies may
    define EBITDA differently, and as a result, such measures may not be
    comparable to the Company's EBITDA.
 
(3) In calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of
    income (loss) prior to income tax benefit (expense), as adjusted to exclude
    the "Write-off of capital investment and other" in the second quarter of
    1997, and fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest for the period).
    Fixed charges consist of interest expense (including amounts capitalized),
    amortization of debt issuance costs and one-third of rental payments on
    operating leases (such one-third portion having been deemed by the Company
    to represent the interest portion of such payments).
 
(4) Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $9,411 for the year
    ended December 31, 1993.
 
(5) Total block hours flown for an aircraft represents the elapsed time from the
    moment the aircraft first moves at the point of origin to the time it comes
    to rest at its destination.
 
(6) Average aircraft operated represents the total number of aircraft operated
    during each day of a given period divided by the number of days in such
    period.
 
(7) The EETCs issued in the Company's recent EETC financing are not direct
    obligations of, or guaranteed by, the Company and therefore will not be
    included in the Company's consolidated financial statements. If, at delivery
    of an aircraft to which the EETCs relate, the Company does not enter into a
    leveraged lease transaction in connection with any such aircraft, the
    Company will take ownership of such aircraft and the corresponding EETCs
    will revert to a direct obligation of the Company. See "Description of
    Certain Indebtedness -- Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates."
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   25
 
               MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                      CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The cargo operations of the Company's airline customers are seasonal in
nature, with peak activity occurring traditionally in the second half of the
year, and with a significant decline occurring in the first quarter. This
decline in cargo activity is largely due to the decrease in shipping that occurs
following the December and January holiday seasons associated with the
celebration of Christmas and the Chinese New Year. Certain of the Company's
customers have, in the past, elected to use that period of the year to exercise
their contractual options to cancel a limited number (generally not more than 5%
per year) of guaranteed hours with the Company, and are expected to continue to
do so in the future. As a result, the Company's revenues typically decline in
the first quarter of the year as its contractual aircraft utilization level
temporarily decreases. The Company seeks to schedule, to the extent possible,
its major aircraft maintenance activities during this period to take advantage
of any unutilized aircraft time.
 
     The aircraft acquisitions, lease arrangements and modification schedule are
described in Note 6 of the Company's December 31, 1997 Consolidated Financial
Statements. The timing of when an aircraft enters the Company's fleet can affect
not only annual performance, but can make quarterly results vary, thereby
affecting the comparability of operations from period to period.
 
   
     The tables below set forth selected financial and operating data for the
first and second quarters of 1998 and the four quarters of the years ended
December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 (dollars in thousands).
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            1998
                                                             ----------------------------------
                                                                             2ND         1ST
                                                             CUMULATIVE    QUARTER     QUARTER
                                                             ----------    --------    --------
<S>                                                          <C>           <C>         <C>
Total operating revenues...................................   $167,584     $ 87,950    $ 79,634
Operating expenses.........................................    114,523       56,432      58,091
Operating income...........................................     53,061       31,518      21,543
Other income (expense).....................................    (28,593)     (15,479)    (13,114)
Net income.................................................     15,415       10,105       5,310
Block hours................................................     32,216       16,828      15,388
Average aircraft operated..................................       17.3         17.7        17.0
Operating margin...........................................       31.7%        35.8%       27.1%
</TABLE>
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1997
                                        ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                        4TH         3RD         2ND         1ST
                                        CUMULATIVE    QUARTER     QUARTER     QUARTER     QUARTER
                                        ----------    --------    --------    --------    -------
<S>                                     <C>           <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Total operating revenues..............   $401,041     $120,893    $104,197    $ 93,902    $82,049
Operating expenses....................    345,039       93,112      82,464     104,556     64,907
Operating income (loss)...............     56,002       27,781      21,733     (10,654)    17,142
Other income (expense)................    (45,469)     (13,383)    (11,930)    (10,908)    (9,248)
Net income............................     23,429        9,143       6,225       3,048      5,013
Block hours...........................     75,254       22,333      19,937      17,541     15,443
Average aircraft operated.............       19.5         20.9        20.4        19.5       17.2
Operating margin (deficit)............       14.0%        23.0%       20.9%      (11.4)%     20.9%
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1996
                                        ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                        4TH         3RD         2ND         1ST
                                        CUMULATIVE    QUARTER     QUARTER     QUARTER     QUARTER
                                        ----------    --------    --------    --------    -------
<S>                                     <C>           <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Total operating revenues..............   $315,659     $104,715    $ 79,681    $ 72,614    $58,649
Operating expenses....................    227,596       74,775      59,635      49,947     43,239
Operating income......................     88,063       29,940      20,046      22,667     15,410
Other income (expense)................    (28,475)      (8,569)     (7,207)     (6,982)    (5,717)
Net income............................     37,838       13,397       8,201      10,037      6,203
Block hours...........................     59,445       18,803      15,444      14,073     11,125
Average aircraft operated.............       14.7         18.4        15.4        14.0       10.8
Operating margin......................       27.9%        28.6%       25.2%       31.2%      26.3%
</TABLE>
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   26
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1995
                                        ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                        4TH         3RD         2ND         1ST
                                        CUMULATIVE    QUARTER     QUARTER     QUARTER     QUARTER
                                        ----------    --------    --------    --------    -------
<S>                                     <C>           <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Total operating revenues..............   $171,267     $ 56,142    $ 47,769    $ 38,418    $28,938
Operating expenses....................    128,593       39,982      34,844      28,370     25,397
Operating income......................     42,674       16,160      12,925      10,048      3,541
Other income (expense)................    (16,435)      (4,014)     (4,805)     (4,287)    (3,330)
Net income............................     17,831        8,352       5,568       3,861         50
Block hours...........................     33,265       10,809       9,076       7,568      5,812
Average aircraft operated.............        7.7          9.4         8.2         6.9        6.1
Operating margin......................       24.9%        28.8%       27.1%       26.2%      12.2%
</TABLE>
 
   
  Six Months Ended June 30, 1998 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 1997
    
 
   
     Operating Revenues and Results of Operations.  Total operating revenues for
the quarter ended June 30, 1998 decreased to $88.0 million from $93.9 million
for the same period in 1997, or approximately 6%. This reflected the decline in
the average number of aircraft in the Company's fleet during the second quarter
of 1998, to 17.7 aircraft compared to 19.5 during the same period in 1997, or a
decrease of approximately 9%. Total block hours for the second quarter of 1998
were 16,828 compared to 17,541 for the same period in 1997, a decrease of
approximately 4%, principally reflecting higher utilization per average aircraft
period over period. Revenue per block hour decreased by approximately 2% to
$5,226 for the second quarter of 1998 compared to $5,353 for the second quarter
of 1997. This was substantially due to the decrease in the volume of scheduled
service operations period over period, for which the rate per block hour is
higher due to additional operating costs borne by the Company under such
arrangements. Scheduled service operations are performed on an ad hoc basis and
are dependent upon excess availability of the Company's aircraft and customer
demand.
    
 
   
     The Company's operating results improved from a $10.7 million operating
loss for the second quarter of 1997 to an operating profit of $31.5 million for
the second quarter of 1998. Results of operations were favorably impacted by
lower maintenance costs due to the return upon lease termination at the
beginning of 1998 of the five aircraft which the Company had leased from Federal
Express Corporation (the "FedEx Aircraft"). The FedEx Aircraft experienced
significantly higher maintenance costs and were less reliable compared to the
other aircraft in the Company's fleet. In addition, operating results improved
due to the increase in the percentage of owned aircraft compared to leased
aircraft in the Company's fleet period over period. Net income of $3.0 million
for the second quarter of 1997 increased by 232% to a net income of $10.1
million for the second quarter of 1998.
    
 
   
     Total operating revenues for the six months ended June 30, 1998 decreased
to $167.6 million from $176.0 million for the same period in 1997, or
approximately 5%. This reflected the decline in the average number of aircraft
in the Company's fleet during the first half of 1998, to 17.3 aircraft compared
to 18.4 during the same period in 1997, a decrease of approximately 6%. Total
block hours for the first half of 1998 were 32,216 compared to 32,984 for the
same period in 1997, a decrease of approximately 2%, principally reflecting
higher utilization per average aircraft period over period. Revenue per block
hour decreased by approximately 3% to $5,202 for the first six months of 1998
compared to $5,334 for the same period in 1997. This was substantially due to
the decrease in the volume of scheduled service operations period over period,
as discussed above.
    
 
   
     The Company's operating results improved by approximately 718% from a $6.5
million operating profit for the first six months of 1997 to an operating profit
of $53.1 million for the first six months of 1998. Results of operations were
favorably impacted by lower maintenance costs due to the return of the FedEx
Aircraft upon lease termination at the beginning of 1998, as discussed above. In
addition, operating results improved due to the increase in the percentage of
owned aircraft compared to leased aircraft in the Company's fleet period over
period. Net income of $8.1 million for the first half of 1997 increased by 91%
to a net income of $15.4 million for the first half of 1998.
    
 
   
Operating Expenses.  The Company's principal operating expenses include flight
crew salaries and benefits; other flight-related expenses; maintenance; aircraft
and engine rentals; fuel costs and ground handling; depreciation and
amortization; and other expenses.
    
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   27
 
   
     Flight crew salaries and benefits include all such expenses for the
Company's pilot work force. Flight crew salaries and benefits increased to $7.7
million in the second quarter of 1998 compared to $7.1 million in the same
period of 1997, or approximately 8%, due to certain increased staffing
associated with overall operational requirements and with the planned
introduction of the 747-400 freighter aircraft into the Company's fleet in the
second half of 1998, which were partially offset by the lower block hours period
over period. On a block hour basis, this expense increased by approximately 13%
to $457 per hour for the second quarter of 1998 from $406 per hour for the same
period in 1997. For the first six months of 1998, actual expense increased by
approximately 4%, from $13.9 million to $14.4 million. On a block hour basis,
this expense increased to $449 per hour from $423 per hour for the same period
in 1997, or approximately 6%.
    
 
   
     Other flight-related expenses include hull and liability insurance on the
Company's fleet of Boeing 747 aircraft, crew travel and meal expenses, initial
and recurring crew training costs and other expenses necessary to conduct its
flight operations.
    
 
   
     Other flight-related expenses decreased to $5.5 million in the second
quarter of 1998 compared to $7.4 million for the same period of 1997, and to
$12.0 million in the six months ended June 30, 1998 compared to $13.7 in the six
months ended June 30, 1997, or approximately 26% and 13%, respectively. These
decreases were primarily due to lower insurance costs and a decrease in block
hours period over period. On a block hour basis, other flight-related expenses
declined by approximately 23% to $324 per hour for the second quarter of 1998
compared to $419 per hour for the same period in 1997, and by approximately 11%
to $372 per hour for the six months ended June 30, 1998 compared to $416 per
hour for the same period in 1997.
    
 
   
     Maintenance expenses include all expenses related to the upkeep of the
aircraft, including maintenance, labor, parts, supplies and maintenance
reserves. The costs of C Checks (as defined), D Checks (as defined) and engine
overhauls not otherwise covered by maintenance reserves are capitalized as they
are incurred and amortized over the life of the maintenance event. In addition,
in January 1995 the Company contracted with KLM for a significant part of its
regular maintenance operations and support on a fixed cost per flight hour
basis. Effective October 1996, certain additional aircraft engines were accepted
into the GE engine maintenance program, also on a fixed cost per flight hour
basis, pursuant to a 10 year maintenance agreement.
    
 
   
     Maintenance expense decreased to $21.0 million in the second quarter of
1998 from $31.7 million in the same period of 1997, and to $41.5 million in the
six months ended June 30, 1998 from $55.0 million in the six months ended June
30, 1997, or approximately 34% and 25%, respectively. These decreases were
primarily due to the return of the FedEx Aircraft upon lease termination at the
beginning of the first quarter of 1998. On a block hour basis, maintenance
expense decreased by approximately 31% and 23%, respectively, primarily due to
higher maintenance costs associated with the FedEx Aircraft in the 1997 periods
compared to the other aircraft in the Company's fleet.
    
 
   
     Aircraft and engine rentals include the cost of leasing aircraft and spare
engines, as well as the cost of short-term engine leases required to replace
engines removed from the Company's aircraft for either scheduled or unscheduled
maintenance and any related short-term replacement aircraft lease costs.
    
 
   
     Aircraft and engine rentals were $.9 million in the second quarter of 1998
compared to $7.7 million in the same period of 1997, and were $2.2 million in
the first half of 1998 compared to $15.5 million in the first half of 1997, or a
decrease of approximately 88% and 86%, respectively. During the second quarter
of 1998 and for the first half of 1998, the Company leased one aircraft as
compared to the second quarter of 1997 and the first half of 1997 in which the
Company leased six aircraft and five aircraft, respectively. The cost of engine
rentals in the 1998 and 1997 periods was insignificant, due to additional spare
engines purchased by the Company in prior periods.
    
 
   
     Because of the nature of the Company's ACMI Contracts with its airline
customers, under which the Company is responsible only for the ownership cost
and maintenance of the aircraft and for supplying aircraft crews and insurance,
the Company's airline customers bear all other operating expenses, including
fuel and fuel servicing; marketing costs associated with obtaining cargo;
airport cargo handling; landing fees; ground handling; aircraft push-back and
de-icing services; and specific cargo and mail insurance. As a result, the
Company incurs fuel and ground handling expenses only when it operates on its
own behalf, either in
    
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   28
 
   
scheduled services, for ad hoc charters or for ferry flights. Fuel expenses for
the Company's non-ACMI contract services include both the direct cost of
aircraft fuel as well as the cost of delivering fuel into the aircraft. Ground
handling expenses for non-ACMI contract service include the costs associated
with servicing the Company's aircraft at the various airports to which it
operates as well as other direct flight related costs.
    
 
   
     Fuel and ground handling costs decreased by approximately 56% to $1.7
million for the second quarter of 1998 from $3.9 million for the second quarter
of 1997, and decreased by approximately 47% to $3.7 million for the first half
of 1998 from $7.1 million for the first half of 1997. These decreases were
primarily due to an approximate 64% decrease in scheduled service, charter and
other non-ACMI block hours in the second quarter of 1998 compared to the second
quarter of 1997, and an approximate 51% decrease in such non-ACMI block hours in
the first half of 1998 compared to the first half of 1997.
    
 
   
     Depreciation and amortization expense includes depreciation on aircraft,
spare parts and ground equipment, and the amortization of capitalized major
aircraft maintenance and engine overhauls.
    
 
   
     Depreciation and amortization expense increased to $13.0 million in the
second quarter of 1998 from $9.7 million in the same period of 1997, and to
$25.2 million in the first half of 1998 from $19.2 million in the year-earlier
period, or approximately 34% and 32%, respectively. These increases reflect the
increase in owned aircraft, engines and spare parts for the second quarter of
1998 and the first half of 1998 over the same periods in 1997. In addition,
Other Revenues include $0.2 million of depreciation for the first quarter of
1998 associated with the net lease of two aircraft, which were in passenger
configuration during 1997 and the beginning of 1998, compared to $0.4 million
and $0.7 million of depreciation for the second quarter of 1997 and the first
half of 1997, respectively.
    
 
   
     Other operating expenses include salaries, wages and benefits for all
employees other than pilots; accounting and legal expenses; supplies; travel and
meal expenses, excluding those of the aircraft crews; commissions; and other
miscellaneous operating costs.
    
 
   
     Other operating expenses decreased to $6.6 million in the second quarter of
1998 from $9.9 million in the same period of 1997, and to $15.4 million for the
first half of 1998 from $17.9 million for the same period of 1997, or
approximately 34% and 14%, respectively. On a block hour basis, these expenses
decreased to $392 per hour in the second quarter of 1998 from $566 per hour in
the same period of 1997, and to $478 per hour for the first half of 1998 from
$543 per hour in the same period of 1997, or approximately 31% and 12%,
respectively. These decreases in cost from the prior year periods were due
primarily to the capitalization of certain start-up costs in the second quarter
of 1998 associated with the planned introduction of the 747-400 aircraft and
certain manufacturer credits, partially offset by increased staffing and other
resources associated with the expansion of the Company's operations.
    
 
   
     Other Income (Expense).  Other income (expense) consists of interest income
and interest expense. Interest income increased to $2.9 million in the second
quarter of 1998 from $1.6 million in the same period of 1997, and to $4.6
million for the first six months of 1998 from $3.5 million for the first six
months of 1997, primarily due to the investment of proceeds from the Company's
issuance of the 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2008 in April 1998. Interest expense
increased to $18.4 million in the second quarter of 1998 from $12.5 million in
the same period of 1997, and to $33.2 million in the first half of 1998 from
$23.6 million in the year-earlier period, or approximately 47% and 40%,
respectively. These increases resulted from the financing associated with the
acquisition of additional aircraft and the costs of conversion to freighter
configuration between these periods and the issuance of the 9 1/4% Senior Notes
in April 1998.
    
 
   
     Income Taxes.  Pursuant to the provisions of the Financial Accounting
Standards Board's ("the FASB") Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
("SFAS") No. 109 "Accounting for Income Taxes," the Company has recorded a tax
provision based on tax rates in effect during the period. Accordingly, the
Company accrued taxes at the rate of 37.0% during the second quarter and first
half of 1998 and 36.5% during the second quarter and first half of 1997. Due to
significant capital costs, which are depreciated at an accelerated rate for tax
purposes, a significant portion of the Company's tax provision for the 1998 and
1997 periods is deferred.
    
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   29
 
  1997 Compared to 1996
 
     Operating Revenues and Results of Operations.  Total operating revenues for
the year ended December 31, 1997 increased to $401.0 million compared to $315.7
million for 1996, an increase of approximately 27%. The average number of
aircraft in the Company's fleet during 1997 was 19.5 compared to 14.7 during
1996. Total block hours for 1997 were 75,254 compared to 59,445 for 1996, an
increase of approximately 27%, principally reflecting the increase in the size
of the Company's fleet. Revenue per block hour increased by approximately .4% to
$5,329 for 1997 compared to $5,310 for 1996. The Company's operating results
decreased from an $88.1 million operating profit in 1996 to a $56.0 million
operating profit in 1997, primarily due to the largely non-cash charge to
earnings of $27.1 million in the second quarter of 1997. The after-tax effect of
this second quarter charge was substantially offset by the after-tax effect of
the extraordinary gain on early extinguishment of debt in the same quarter of
1997. Net income of $37.8 million for 1996 declined to a net income of $23.4
million for 1997, primarily due to the increase in interest expense associated
with the increase in aircraft in service year over year and the higher
maintenance costs with respect to the aircraft sub-leased from FedEx.
 
     Operating levels increased during the second quarter of 1997 as a result of
placing in service two additional aircraft upon completion of their respective
cargo modifications by Boeing, one in March 1997 and one in May 1997. In
addition, the Company placed in service the fifth FedEx aircraft in April 1997.
In August 1997 and at the end of September 1997, the Company took delivery of
the fifth and sixth Thai Aircraft (as defined herein), respectively, upon
completion by Boeing of its modification to cargo configuration. At the end of
1997, the Company removed from revenue service the five aircraft sub-leased from
FedEx in preparation for the return of these aircraft to FedEx in the first
quarter of 1998, as provided for in the sub-leases.
 
     The Company's operating levels increased moderately during 1997 as a result
of these aircraft acquisitions. Block hours increased from 15,443 in the first
quarter of 1997 to 22,333 in the fourth quarter of 1997, reflecting the growth
in the average fleet size from 17.2 aircraft to 20.9 aircraft for the two
periods. Total operating revenue increased from $82.0 million in the first
quarter to $120.9 million in the fourth quarter, representing slightly higher
block hour rates for the fourth quarter compared to those of the first quarter
of 1997, primarily due to the seasonality of the business of the Company's
customers. The Company achieved $27.8 million operating income and $9.1 million
net income in the fourth quarter of 1997, compared to $17.1 million operating
income and $5.0 million net income in the first quarter of 1997.
 
     In the second quarter of 1997, the Company recorded a largely non-cash
charge of $27.1 million to operating income. This charge included the write-off
of the Company's remaining balance sheet investment in the five aircraft
sub-leased from FedEx, as well as the establishment of certain reserves
associated with costs necessary to return the aircraft in the first quarter of
1998 and other non-recurring items. Excluding this charge, operating income was
$83.1 million for 1997 compared to $88.1 million for 1996, or a decrease of
approximately 6%. There were an average of 4.4 aircraft sub-leased from FedEx
operating in 1997 compared to an average of 1.7 aircraft sub-leased from FedEx
operating in 1996. Maintenance costs with respect to the FedEx aircraft were
substantially higher than for the rest of the Company's fleet. In addition, the
Company incurred $1.2 million of costs in the first quarter of 1997 related to
the return of two leased aircraft to their respective lessors. In the second
quarter of 1997, the realization of an after-tax extraordinary gain of $16.7
million, resulting from the receipt of a prepayment incentive credit associated
with the refinancing of approximately $228 million of indebtedness during the
second quarter, for the most part offset the $17.2 million after-tax impact of
the non-recurring charge discussed above.
 
   
     One of the Company's customers has disputed a portion of approximately $8.9
million of ACMI billings and non-ACMI billings associated with maintenance
support. The Company believes that it has established adequate reserves with
respect to this dispute.
    
 
     Operating Expenses.  Flight crew salaries and benefits include all such
expenses for the Company's pilot work force. Flight crew salaries and benefits
increased to $30.2 million in 1997 compared to $25.0 million in 1996, due to
increases in the number of aircraft in the Company's fleet and aircraft block
hours. While actual expense increased by approximately 21% during 1997, on a
block hour basis this expense declined by
                                       23
<PAGE>   30
 
approximately 5% to $401 per block hour for 1997 from $421 per block hour for
1996. This reduction was due to increased efficiency in staffing levels and
scheduling resulting from the increased level of operations.
 
     Other flight-related expenses increased to $28.8 million in 1997 compared
to $27.4 million in 1996, or approximately 5%. The impact of the larger fleet
size for 1997 compared to the prior year was partially offset by a reduction in
the Company's aircraft hull and liability insurance rates based on its increased
size and favorable operating history. As a result of this and other operating
efficiencies, on a block hour basis, other flight-related expenses declined by
approximately 17% to $383 per block hour for 1997 compared to $461 per block
hour for 1996.
 
     Maintenance expense increased to $123.8 million in 1997 from $84.3 million
in 1996, or approximately 47%, partially due to the increase in the Company's
average fleet size and partially due to the higher maintenance costs with
respect to the aircraft sub-leased from FedEx. On a block hour basis,
maintenance expense increased year over year by approximately 16%, primarily due
to higher maintenance costs associated with the aircraft sub-leased from FedEx.
 
     Aircraft and engine rentals were $31.6 million in 1997 compared to $27.3
million in 1996, or an increase of approximately 16%, of which approximately
$2.6 million was due to higher lease rates in 1997 compared to 1996 and $3.1
million was due to an additional .5 aircraft leased in 1997 over 1996. This
increase was partially offset by a $1.4 million decrease in engine rentals year
over year, due to additional spare engines purchased by the Company in 1997.
 
     Fuel and ground handling costs increased to $10.8 million for 1997 compared
to $10.6 million for 1996, or an increase of approximately 3%. This was due to
higher fuel prices in 1997 compared to 1996, partially offset by the relative
decrease in scheduled service, charter and other non-ACMI block hours to 1,787
block hours in 1997 from 2,042 block hours in 1996.
 
     Depreciation and amortization expense increased to $42.9 million in 1997
from $25.5 million in 1996, or approximately 68%. This increase reflected an
increase of approximately 50% in owned aircraft, an approximate two-fold
increase in owned spare engines and an increase of approximately 100% in spare
parts for 1997 over 1996. In addition, Other Revenues include $1.5 million of
depreciation for 1997, associated with the net lease of two owned aircraft which
were in passenger configuration.
 
     Other operating expenses increased to $49.8 million in 1997 from $27.5
million in 1996, or approximately 81%, reflecting the increase in the Company's
operations. On a block hour basis, these expenses increased to $661 per block
hour in 1997 from $462 per block hour in 1996, or approximately 43%. This
increase in cost was due primarily to additional personnel and other resources
necessary to properly manage the Company's increased operations and to prepare
for the introduction of the 747-400 aircraft.
 
     Other Income (Expense). Interest income for 1997 was $7.4 million compared
to $7.1 million for 1996, due to achieving higher interest rates in 1997
compared to 1996 on a slightly lower short-term investment level in 1997
compared to 1996. Interest expense increased to $52.8 million in 1997 from $35.6
million in 1996, or approximately 49%, primarily resulting from an increase of
approximately 50% in financed flight equipment between these periods.
 
     Income Taxes. Pursuant to the provisions of SFAS No. 109 "Accounting for
Income Taxes," the Company has recorded a tax provision based on tax rates in
effect during the period. Accordingly, the Company accrued taxes at the rate of
36.5% during 1997 and 1996. Due to significant capital costs, which are
depreciated at an accelerated rate for tax purposes, a majority of the Company's
tax provision in these periods is deferred.
 
  1996 Compared to 1995
 
     Operating Revenues and Results of Operations. Total operating revenues for
the year ended December 31, 1996 increased to $315.7 million compared to $171.3
million for 1995, an increase of approximately 84%. The average number of
aircraft in the Company's fleet during 1996 was 14.7, compared to 7.7 during
1995. Total block hours for 1996 were 59,445 compared to 33,265 for 1995, an
increase of approximately 79%.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   31
 
Revenue per block hour increased by 3% to $5,310 for 1996 compared to $5,149 for
the year-earlier period reflecting a slight increase in the level of charter and
scheduled service hours. While charter and scheduled service activity provides a
higher revenue rate per block hour, costs are also higher due to fuel and ground
handling costs which the Company must bear. The Company's operating results
improved from a $42.7 million operating profit for 1995 to an operating profit
of $88.1 million for 1996, or approximately 106%. Net income of $17.8 million
for 1995 improved to a net income of $37.8 million for 1996, or approximately
112%.
 
   
     Operating levels increased during the first quarter of 1996 as a result of
placing in service four additional aircraft. In January 1996, the Company placed
in service one aircraft upon completion of its cargo modification by Hong Kong
Aircraft Engineering Company. Two additional aircraft were re-delivered to the
Company upon completion of their modification by Boeing in March 1996. Finally,
at the close of the first quarter, the Company took delivery of the first
aircraft sub-leased from FedEx. During the third quarter of 1996, the Company
placed in service the next three aircraft sub-leased from FedEx. At the end of
the third quarter the Company took delivery of a Boeing 747-200 passenger
aircraft acquired from Thai Airways upon completion by Boeing of its
modification to cargo configuration. In the fourth quarter of 1996, a second
Boeing 747-200 passenger aircraft acquired from Thai Airways was placed in
service upon its delivery by Boeing subsequent to modification to cargo
configuration. At the end of 1996, two leased aircraft were taken out of service
for required maintenance prior to re-delivery to the lessors.
    
 
     The Company's operating levels increased significantly during 1996 as a
result of these aircraft acquisitions. Block hours increased from 11,125 in the
first quarter of 1996 to 18,803 in the fourth quarter of 1996, relative to the
growth in average fleet size from 10.8 aircraft to 18.4 aircraft for the two
periods. Total operating revenue increased from $58.6 million in the first
quarter to $104.7 million in the fourth quarter, representing slightly higher
block hour rates for the fourth quarter compared to those of the first quarter
of 1996, primarily due to the seasonality of the business of the Company's
customers. The Company achieved $29.9 million operating income and $13.4 million
net income in the fourth quarter of 1996, compared to $15.4 million operating
income and $6.2 million net income in the first quarter of 1996.
 
     The Company's operating levels increased substantially during 1995 also as
a result of aircraft acquisitions. Block hours rose from 5,812 hours in the
first quarter of 1995 to 10,809 in the fourth quarter, as the average number of
aircraft in the Company's fleet grew from 6.1 aircraft to 9.4 aircraft over the
corresponding period. Total operating revenue increased from $28.9 million in
the first quarter of 1995 to $56.1 million in the fourth quarter, with the
Company's operating income increasing from $3.5 million to $16.2 million and its
net income improving from $0.1 million to $8.4 million over that same period.
For the year 1995, total block hours were 33,265 and the average fleet size was
7.7 aircraft. Total operating revenue was $171.3 million, operating income was
$42.7 million and net income was $17.8 million.
 
     Operating Expenses. Expenses for flight crew salaries and benefits
increased to $25.0 million in 1996 from $14.6 million in 1995, primarily as a
result of the increase in the Company's fleet of Boeing 747 aircraft from an
average of 7.7 aircraft in 1995 to 14.7 aircraft in 1996, while aircraft block
hours increased from 33,265 to 59,445, or 79%, over such period. On a block hour
basis, this expense declined to $421 per hour for 1996 from $438 per hour for
1995, or approximately 4%, due to increased staffing and scheduling efficiencies
associated with increased operations.
 
     Other flight-related expenses rose to $27.4 million in 1996 from $12.4
million in 1995, or approximately 120%, primarily due to fleet expansion and
higher travel costs associated with operational difficulties related to the
aircraft sub-leased from FedEx. On a per block hour basis, other flight-related
expenses increased from $372 per block hour in 1995 to $461 per block hour in
1996, or approximately 24%.
 
     Maintenance expense increased to $84.3 million in 1996 from $42.6 million
in 1995, or approximately 98%, due to the increase in average fleet size and
certain increased costs associated with introducing the aircraft sub-leased from
FedEx into the Company's fleet and higher ongoing maintenance costs. The
aircraft sub-leased from FedEx are not covered by the Company's maintenance
contracts with KLM and GE described above. On a block hour basis, maintenance
expense increased by 11%, primarily due to parts support requirements associated
with scheduled and unscheduled maintenance events, and due to the maintenance
costs for the aircraft sub-leased from FedEx discussed above.
                                       25
<PAGE>   32
 
     Aircraft and engine rentals were $27.3 million in 1996 compared to $22.9
million in 1995, representing an increase of 19%. Lease costs in 1996 for the
aircraft sub-leased from FedEx represented $9.7 million of this increase, offset
by a $2.4 million decrease in sub-service rentals in 1996 compared to 1995. In
addition, the lease costs for one aircraft in 1995 exceeded the lease costs in
1996 by $1.6 million, due to the Company's purchase of the aircraft in the
second quarter of 1996. Engine rentals decreased by $1.8 million in 1996 to $1.8
million, due to the purchase of eight spare engines which reduced the Company's
need for leased engines.
 
     Fuel and ground handling costs increased to $10.6 million in 1996 from $5.0
million in 1995, or approximately 110%. This increase was primarily due to an
increase in block hours for scheduled service, charters, ferry and other from
1,070 in 1995 to 2,042 in 1996, or approximately 91%. In addition, the airline
industry experienced a rise in fuel costs over the period.
 
     Depreciation and amortization expense increased to $25.5 million in 1996
from $14.8 million in 1995, reflecting the increase in the number of owned
aircraft in the Company's fleet. On a per block hour basis, this expense
decreased from $445 per block hour in 1995 to $429 per block hour in 1996, or
approximately 4%. The proportion of owned aircraft to leased aircraft was
relatively the same for 1996 as it was for 1995.
 
     Other operating expenses increased to $27.5 million in 1996 from $16.4
million in 1995, or approximately 68%. On a block hour basis, other operating
expenses decreased from $492 per block hour in 1995 to $462 per block hour in
1996, or approximately 6%, reflecting a lower rate of growth in the Company's
overhead as compared to its operational growth.
 
     Other Income (Expense). Interest income increased to $7.1 million for 1996
from $2.0 million in 1995. This increase was primarily due to the investment of
$99.6 million of funds received from the secondary public offering ("SPO") in
May 1996, as well as funds retained from the Company's initial public offering
("IPO") in August 1995. Interest expense increased to $35.6 million in 1996 from
$18.5 million in 1995, resulting from the increase in financed flight equipment
between these periods.
 
     Income Taxes. Pursuant to the provisions of SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for
Income Taxes," the Company has recorded a tax provision based on tax rates in
effect during the period. Accordingly, the Company accrued taxes at the rate of
36.5% in 1996 and 32.0% in 1995. Due to significant capital costs, which are
depreciated at an accelerated rate for tax purposes, a majority of the Company's
tax provision in 1996 and 1995 is deferred.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
   
     At June 30, 1998, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of
approximately $173.5 million, short-term investments of approximately $33.3
million and working capital of approximately $107.8 million. During the first
half of 1998, cash and cash equivalents increased approximately $132.2 million,
principally reflecting cash provided from operations of $56.6 million, proceeds
from debt issuance and equipment financings of $195.4 million, net proceeds from
the maturity and purchase of short-term investments of $78.3 million and
proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $1.0 million, partially offset by
investments in flight and other equipment of $153.6 million, principal
reductions of indebtedness of $15.5 million, debt issuance costs of $5.5
million, net treasury stock purchases of $2.2 million and deferred lease costs
associated with the financing of the 747-400 freighter aircraft of $22.3
million. The Company's overall borrowing level increased to $956.0 million at
June 30, 1998 from $776.1 million at December 31, 1997.
    
 
   
     At December 31, 1997, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of
approximately $41.3 million, short-term investments of approximately $111.6
million and working capital of approximately $80.4 million. During 1997, cash
and cash equivalents increased approximately $31.5 million, principally
reflecting cash provided from operations of $87.7 million, proceeds from
equipment financings of $815.8 million and net proceeds from the sale and
purchase of short-term investments of $3.2 million, partially offset by the net
sale and purchase of investments in flight and other equipment of $364.0
million, principal reductions of indebtedness of $494.1 million, debt issuance
costs of $16.6 million and net treasury stock purchases of $0.4 million. The
Company's overall borrowing level increased to $776.1 million at December 31,
1997 from $484.4 million at December 31, 1996.
    
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   33
 
     At December 31, 1996, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of
approximately $9.8 million, short-term investments of approximately $114.9
million and working capital of approximately $98.7 million. During 1996, cash
and cash equivalents decreased $87.2 million, principally reflecting investments
in flight and other equipment of $289.7 million, the net purchase of $114.9
million of short-term investments, debt issuance costs of $6.0 million,
principal reductions of indebtedness of $21.6 million and net treasury stock
purchases of $0.5 million, partially offset by cash provided from operations of
$84.4 million, proceeds from equipment financings of $154.8 million, net common
stock issuances of $106.3 million, including the $99.6 million received from the
SPO in the second quarter of 1996.
 
     In May 1996, the Company entered into a $175 million revolving credit
facility (the "Aircraft Credit Facility") with Goldman Sachs Credit Partners
L.P. ("Goldman Sachs"), as Syndication Agent, and Bankers Trust Company
("BTCo"), as Administrative Agent. This revolving loan facility provides for the
acquisition and conversion of flight equipment. The Aircraft Credit Facility was
subsequently amended and restated in conjunction with certain refinancings. The
Aircraft Credit Facility provides for a $250 million revolving credit facility
as of September 5, 1997 with a two-year revolving period and a subsequent
three-year term loan period in the event that permanent financing has not been
obtained for any flight equipment financed under the facility. At the time of
each borrowing, the Company must select either a Base Rate Loan (prime rate,
plus 1.5% through May 8, 1998, thereafter plus 2.0%) or a Eurodollar Rate Loan
(Eurodollar rate, plus 2.5% through May 8, 1998, thereafter plus 3.0%). The
Eurodollar Rate Loan was selected by the Company for substantially all
borrowings in 1996 and 1997. The weighted average interest rate on borrowings
outstanding under the Aircraft Credit Facility was 8.2% at March 31, 1998. Each
borrowing is secured by a first priority security interest in the collateral
flight equipment of that borrowing. Certain tests must be met before each
purchase of aircraft and related drawdown on the facility. To date, the Company
has met these tests. If in the future, the Company cannot meet all the tests
because of the difficult sequencing of aircraft acquisition, aircraft conversion
and customer contracts, the Company believes that other financing sources would
be available to the Company or that it would acquire aircraft using its internal
cash or seek a waiver of any necessary conditions. As of March 31, 1998, the
Company had $88.3 million outstanding under the Aircraft Credit Facility.
Covenants with respect to the Aircraft Credit Facility require specific levels
of insurance, as well as contain requirements regarding possession, maintenance,
and lease or transfer of the flight equipment. Certain covenants applicable to
the Company include, among other restrictions, limitations on indebtedness,
liens, investments, contingent obligations, restricted junior payments, capital
expenditures and leases. The Company was in compliance with all of its covenants
at March 31, 1998.
 
     In March 1997, the Company refinanced one of its aircraft with Nationsbanc
Leasing Corporation ("Nationsbanc"). This aircraft was previously financed
through the Aircraft Credit Facility. As such, this refinancing increased the
availability of funds under the Aircraft Credit Facility by approximately $25
million. The Nationsbanc financing is a seven year term loan (extendible under
certain circumstances to ten years) which provides for a fixed interest rate of
9.2%. The loan is secured by a first priority security interest in this
aircraft.
 
     In April 1997, the Company purchased the fifth and sixth aircraft from Thai
Airways. These aircraft were placed into service in the third quarter of 1997
subsequent to undergoing modification to cargo configuration by Boeing. These
aircraft were initially financed under the Aircraft Credit Facility and were
subsequently refinanced as part of the AFL II Term Loan Facility (as defined
herein).
 
     In May 1997, the Company acquired from Citicorp Investor Lease, Inc.
("Citicorp") one 747-200 passenger aircraft for a purchase price of $25 million,
including two spare engines. In connection with the purchase of the aircraft
from Citicorp, the Company agreed to assume Citicorp's lessor interest in the
lease of such aircraft to Philippine Airlines ("PAL") for the remainder of the
lease term. This aircraft is financed under the Aircraft Credit Facility.
 
     In May 1997, the Company formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, Atlas Freighter
Leasing, Inc. ("AFL"), for the purpose of entering into the $185 million AFL
Term Loan Facility (the "AFL Term Loan Facility") to refinance six Boeing
747-200 aircraft previously financed through Internationale Nederlanden Aviation
Lease B.V. ("ING Bank"). Concurrent with entering into the AFL Term Loan
Facility, the proceeds of the
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   34
 
AFL Term Loan Facility were used to repay all existing principal and interest
due under the ING Bank debt. Interest is based on the Eurodollar rate, plus 2.5%
for the first three years and 3.0% thereafter, and is payable quarterly. The
interest rate on borrowings outstanding under the AFL Term Loan Facility was
8.2% at March 31, 1998. Quarterly scheduled principal payments of $2.5 million
commenced in February 1998 and increase to $5.7 million in August 1998 with a
final payment of $50.0 million in May 2004. The AFL Term Loan Facility is
secured by a first priority interest in the six subject aircraft and is
restrictive with respect to limitations on indebtedness, liens, investments,
contingent obligations, restricted junior payments, capital expenditures,
amendments of material agreements, leases, transactions with shareholders and
affiliates and the conduct of business. AFL was in compliance with all of its
covenants as of March 31, 1998.
 
   
     In June 1997, the Company entered into an agreement with Boeing to purchase
10 new 747-400 freighter aircraft to be powered by engines acquired from GE,
with options to purchase up to 10 additional 747-400 aircraft. The Company has
arranged leveraged lease financing for the first three of the 747-400 freighter
aircraft to be delivered. The Boeing Purchase Agreement requires that the
Company pay pre-delivery deposits to Boeing prior to the delivery date of each
747-400 freighter aircraft in order to secure delivery of the 747-400 freighter
aircraft and to defray a portion of the manufacturing costs. Based on the
current expected firm aircraft delivery schedule, the Company expects the
maximum total amount of pre-delivery deposits at any time outstanding will be
approximately $162.3 million, which was paid as of June 30, 1998. Upon each
delivery, Boeing will refund to the Company the pre-delivery deposits associated
with the delivered 747-400 freighter aircraft. For the remainder of 1998 and for
the year 1999, the Company expects to pay $39.9 million and $11.8 million,
respectively, in pre-delivery deposits in accordance with the firm order
pre-delivery deposits schedule. In addition, the Boeing Purchase Agreement
provides for a deferral of a portion of the pre-delivery deposits (deferred
aircraft obligations) for which the Company accrues and pays interest quarterly
at 6-month LIBOR, plus 2.0%. As of June 30, 1998, there was $288.9 million of
deferred aircraft obligations outstanding, which is the expected maximum total
amount of deferred aircraft obligations at any time, based on the current
expected firm aircraft delivery schedule, and the combined interest rate was
approximately 7.8%. In July and August 1998, the Company took delivery of the
first and second of five 747-400 freighter aircraft to be delivered in 1998. The
Company has entered into long-term contracts with British Airways and Cargolux
for the operation of the first and second 747-400 freighter aircraft,
respectively.
    
 
   
     In August 1997, the Company completed the offering of its unsecured 10 3/4%
Senior Notes due 2005 ("Senior Notes"). The proceeds from the offering of the
Senior Notes were used to, among other things, repay short-term indebtedness
incurred by the Company to make pre-delivery deposits to Boeing for the purchase
of 10 new freighter aircraft and for additional pre-delivery deposits as they
become due. Interest on the Senior Notes began to accrue from their date of
original issuance and is payable semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and
August 1 of each year, commencing February 1, 1998, at the rate of 10 3/4% per
annum. The Senior Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of
the Company, on or after August 1, 2001, at established redemption prices, plus
accrued interest to the date of redemption. In addition, at any time on or prior
to August 1, 2000, the Company, at its option, may redeem up to 35% of the
aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes originally issued with the net
cash proceeds of one or more public equity offerings, at a redemption price
equal to 110.75% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest to the
date of redemption; provided that at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount
of the Senior Notes originally issued remains outstanding immediately after any
such redemption. The Senior Notes are general unsecured obligations of the
Company which rank pari passu in right of payment to any existing and future
unsecured senior indebtedness of the Company. The Senior Notes are effectively
subordinated, however, to all secured indebtedness of the Company and to all
indebtedness of the Company's subsidiaries. Covenants with respect to the Senior
Notes contain certain limitations on the ability of the Company and its
subsidiaries to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, pay
dividends or make certain other restricted payments, consummate certain asset
sales, enter into certain transactions with affiliates, incur liens, create
restrictions on the ability of a subsidiary to pay dividends or make certain
payments, sell or issue preferred stock of subsidiaries to third parties, merge
or consolidate with any other person or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or
otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company. The
Company was in compliance with all of its covenants as of March 31, 1998.
    
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   35
 
     In September 1997, the Company formed another wholly-owned subsidiary,
Atlas Freighter Leasing II, Inc. ("AFL II") for the purpose of entering into the
$185 million AFL II Term Loan Facility (the "AFL II Term Loan Facility") to
refinance four of the aircraft previously financed under the Aircraft Credit
Facility, plus nine spare engines, in order to provide the Company with greater
financial flexibility in anticipation of the financing requirements for the
future acquisition of additional freighter aircraft. Interest is based on the
Eurodollar rate, plus 2.3%, less a pricing reduction, if any, in effect from
time to time, and is payable quarterly. The interest rate on borrowings
outstanding under the AFL II Term Loan Facility was 7.9% at March 31, 1998.
Quarterly scheduled principal payments of $2.5 million commenced in February
1998 and increase to $5.7 million in August 1998 with a final payment of $50.0
million in May 2004. The AFL II Term Loan Facility is secured by a first
priority interest in the four subject aircraft, plus nine spare engines, and is
restrictive with respect to limitations on indebtedness, liens, investments,
contingent obligations, restricted junior payments, capital expenditures,
amendments of material agreements, leases, transactions with shareholders and
affiliates and the conduct of business. AFL II was in compliance with all of its
covenants as of March 31, 1998.
 
   
     In October 1997, Atlas Flightlease, Inc. ("AFI"), a wholly owned subsidiary
of the Company, secured a 2-year LIBOR based financing with Bankers Trust
Company for approximately 80% of the purchase price of a 1988 Canadair
Challenger passenger aircraft (the "Challenger"). AFI purchased the Challenger
from MAC Flightlease, Inc. ("MAC Flightlease"), an entity wholly-owned by the
wife of the Company's Chairman, President and CEO (see Note 7 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements), in the third quarter of 1997. In December
1997, AFI refinanced the Challenger for approximately 100% of its purchase price
with Nationsbanc under a 5-year loan which was guaranteed by the Company.
Interest is based on the Eurodollar rate, plus 2.4%, and is payable quarterly
with concurrent scheduled payments of principal. The interest rate on borrowings
outstanding under the Nationsbanc debt was 8.3% at March 31, 1998. The loan is
secured by a first priority security interest in the Challenger. Covenants with
respect to this financing require specific levels of insurance, as well as
contain requirements regarding use, maintenance, configuration, liens and
disposition of the Challenger, among other things. AFI was in compliance with
all of its covenants as of March 31, 1998.
    
 
   
     In January and February 1998, pursuant to an early lease termination
agreement negotiated in November 1997 with PAL, the Company delivered to Boeing
for modification to cargo configuration the aircraft acquired from Marine
Midland Bank in December 1996 and the aircraft acquired from Citicorp Investor
Lease, Inc. in May 1997. The first aircraft was re-delivered to the Company at
the end of April 1998 and the second aircraft was re-delivered to the Company in
July 1998. The financing for the modification to freighter configuration was
provided under the Aircraft Credit Facility, under which the Company borrowed a
total of $3.3 million during the first quarter of 1998 with respect to these
aircraft. In April 1998 and July 1998, the Company borrowed an additional $13.8
million and $17.2 million, respectively, to pay for the final costs of
conversion for these two aircraft.
    
 
   
     In February 1998, the Company completed an offering of $538.9 million of
EETCs. The EETCs are not direct obligations of, or guaranteed by, the Company
and therefore are not included in the Company's consolidated financial
statements. In November and December 1997, the Company entered into three
Treasury Note hedges, approximating $300 million of principal, for the purpose
of minimizing the risk associated with the fluctuations in interest rates, which
are the basis for the pricing of the EETCs which were priced in January 1998.
The effect of the hedge resulted in a deferred cost of $6.3 million, which will
be amortized over the expected twenty-year life associated with this financing.
The cash proceeds from the EETCs were deposited with an escrow agent and will be
used to finance (through either leveraged leases or secured debt financings) the
acquisition of the first five of the 10 new 747-400 freighter aircraft from
Boeing scheduled to be delivered to the Company during the period July 1998
through December 1998. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able
to obtain sufficient financing to fund the purchase of the remaining five
747-400 freighter aircraft, or if such financing is available, that it will be
available on a commercially reasonable basis. If it is unable to do so, the
Company could be required to modify its expansion plans or to incur higher than
anticipated financing costs, which could have a material adverse effect on the
Company. In connection with the EETCs, the Company intends to seek certain owner
participants who will commit lease equity financing to be used in leveraged
leases of such aircraft. The Company has arranged for
    
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   36
 
   
equity participation for the first three 747-400 freighter aircraft deliveries,
of which one occurred in July 1998, one occurred in August 1998 and one is
scheduled to occur in October 1998.
    
 
   
     In March 1998, the Company entered into two 10-year agreements with GE to
provide all repair and overhaul work on the engines related to both the 10 firm
and 10 option 747-400 freighter aircraft. These agreements are based on a fixed
cost per flight hour, similar to the Company's engine agreement with GE for its
747-200 fleet.
    
 
   
     In April 1998, the Company consummated the offering of $175 million of
unsecured 9 1/4% Senior Notes at 99.867% due 2008 (i.e. the Old Notes which are
subject to the Exchange Offer). The proceeds of the offering will be used to
repay $80 million of the Aircraft Credit Facility and for general corporate
purposes, which may include the partial funding of the redemption of the
Company's outstanding 12 1/4% Pass Through Certificates due 2002 (the "Equipment
Notes"), which are subject to redemption at the option of the Company on or
after December 1, 1998. Interest on the Old Notes is payable semi-annually on
April 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing October 15, 1998. The Old Notes
are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at any time or
after April 15, 2003, pursuant to a defined schedule. The Old Notes are senior
indebtedness of the Company, ranking pari passu in right of payment with all
existing and future senior indebtedness of the Company and senior in right of
payment to all subordinated indebtedness of the Company. The Old Notes are
effectively subordinated, however, to all secured indebtedness of the Company
and all existing and future liabilities of the Company's subsidiaries.
    
 
   
     In April 1998, the Company entered into a sublease and ramp use agreement
with American Airlines, Inc. for 145,000 square feet of hangar, office and
parking space at Miami International Airport in support of the Company's
increased operations. The lease is for a period in excess of four years and
commences July 1, 1998, at a monthly rate of approximately $105,000, subject to
an annual escalation factor. Additionally, effective August 1, 1998 the Company
leased an additional 5,000 square feet at its existing facility located at John
F. Kennedy International Airport ("JFK") with a monthly rate increase to
approximately $70,000.
    
 
   
     In May 1998, the Company agreed to purchase a Boeing Business Jet ("BBJ")
from Boeing for approximately $30 million. As of June 30, 1998, the Company had
paid approximately $9.0 million in pre-delivery deposits and there was
approximately $7.0 million of deferred aircraft obligations outstanding for
which the interest rate was approximately 7.8%. This aircraft will be used to
transport Company executives on business trips throughout the world. The Company
intends to sell the Challenger business jet (currently owned by a subsidiary of
the Company and recently appraised at approximately $15 million), upon delivery
of the BBJ in January 1999 and the Company's Chief Executive Officer has agreed
to purchase a 50% interest and to share operating costs of the BBJ. Therefore,
after sale of the Challenger and with a 50% interest in the BBJ, the Company
expects its financial exposure to this new aircraft to be comparable to its
existing Challenger aircraft.
    
 
   
     In June 1998, the Company entered into an agreement with Lufthansa Technik
Aktiengesellschaft ("Lufthansa Technik") by which Lufthansa Technik will provide
all required maintenance for the Company's initial order of 10 747-400 freighter
aircraft, plus any additional 747-400 freighter aircraft the Company purchases
pursuant to its option in the Boeing Purchase Agreement, on a "power by the
hour" basis for 10 years, with a provision for the Company to terminate the
agreement as of June 2003.
    
 
   
     In July 1998, the Company secured permanent financing in the amount of
$38.9 million from Banc One Leasing Corporation for one of the aircraft
originally financed under the Aircraft Credit Facility. The new financing
carries a term of 10 years at an annual interest rate of approximately 7.5% with
quarterly debt service payments.
    
 
   
     In July 1998, the Company purchased a 747-200 freighter aircraft from Air
France Partnairs Leasing N.V. for which the Company financed approximately $31.3
million through the Aircraft Credit Facility. This aircraft is currently being
leased to a third-party with a scheduled lease termination at the end of January
1999.
    
 
     Due to the contractual nature of the Company's business, the Company's
management does not consider its operations to be highly working
capital-intensive in nature. Because most of the non-ACMI costs normally
                                       30
<PAGE>   37
 
   
associated with operations are borne by and directly paid for by the Company's
customers, the Company does not incur significant costs in advance of the
receipt of corresponding revenues. Moreover, ACMI costs, which are the
responsibility of the Company, are generally incurred on a regular, periodic
basis ranging from flight hours to months. These costs are largely matched by
revenue receipts, as the Company's contracts require regular payments from its
customers, based upon current flight activity, generally every two to four
weeks. As a result, the Company has not in the past had a requirement for a
working capital facility.
    
 
   
     Under the FAA's Directives issued under its "Aging Aircraft" program, the
Company is subject to extensive aircraft examinations and may be required to
undertake structural modifications to its fleet to address the problem of
corrosion and structural fatigue. In November 1994, Boeing issued Nacelle Strut
Modification Service Bulletins which have been converted into Directives by the
FAA. Seven of the Company's Boeing 747-200 aircraft will have to be brought into
compliance with such Directives by March 2000 at an estimated total cost of
approximately $3.5 million. As part of the FAA's overall aging aircraft program,
it has issued Directives requiring certain additional aircraft modifications to
be accomplished. The Company estimates that the modification costs per aircraft
will range between $2 million and $3 million. Twelve aircraft in the Company's
fleet have already undergone the major portion of such modifications. The
remaining eight aircraft in service will require modification prior to the year
2009. Other Directives have been issued that require inspections and minor
modifications to Boeing 747-200 aircraft. It is possible that additional
Directives applicable to the types of aircraft or engines included in the
Company's fleet could be issued in the future, the cost of which could be
substantial.
    
 
   
     The Company has performed a review of its internal information systems for
Year 2000 ("Y2K") automation problems through a company-wide effort, assisted by
Y2K experienced consultants, to address internal Y2K system issues and, jointly
with industry trade groups, issues related to key business partners which are
common to other air carriers. As a result, the Company does not anticipate that
Y2K compliance will have a material financial impact. The Company has completed
the first phase of this project, which included an inventory of its computer
network environment and an assessment of the effort involved to bring its
internal computer system environment to full Y2K compliance. Due to the
Company's relatively young systems, its advanced client server, development and
data base architecture, and its partial reliance on vendor representations
regarding Y2K compliant third-party systems, related remediation efforts are
minimal and achievable. Third-party hardware and software used by the Company
are, for the most part, Y2K compliant; those that are not compliant have broad
customer bases and available software upgrades. A limited number of systems
remain to be reviewed for compliance, but are not of material significance.
Initial review of the Company's 747-200 and 747-400 aircraft computer systems
indicate that most all of the systems are compliant, and those not compliant are
being addressed by Boeing sub-contractors. A limited number of systems need
further analysis.
    
 
   
     The Company has begun an ongoing program to review the status of key
supplier/business partner Y2K compliance efforts. While the Company believes it
is taking all appropriate steps to assure its Y2K compliance, it is dependent on
key business partner compliance to some extent. The Company plans to have all
company-controllable systems Y2K tested and compliant by the end of 1998. The
Company anticipates that third-party and supplier/business partner systems will
be fully addressed by mid-1999 in the form of compliance remediation, plans for
timely remediation, or contingency plans. The Y2K problem is pervasive and
complex, as virtually every global computer operation will be affected in some
way. Consequently, no assurance can be given that all company-used third-party
systems and suppliers/business partners can achieve Y2K compliance.
    
 
   
     From time to time the Company engages in discussions with third parties
regarding possible acquisitions of aircraft that could expand the Company's
operations. The Company is in discussions with third parties for the possible
acquisition of additional aircraft for delivery in 1998 and beyond.
    
 
   
     The Company believes that cash on hand, the cash flow generated from its
operations and the proceeds from the May 1996 public offering of its Common
Stock, the August 1997 placement of the Company's 10 3/4% Senior Notes and the
April 1998 placement of the Old Notes, coupled with availability under the
Aircraft
    
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   38
 
   
Credit Facility and the proceeds of the EETCs, will be sufficient to meet its
normal ongoing liquidity needs for the next twelve months.
    
 
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
 
   
     In March 1998, the Accounting Standards Executive Committee ("AcSEC") of
the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ("AICPA") issued
Statement of Position ("SOP") 98-1 "Accounting for the Costs of Computer
Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use." SOP 98-1 provides guidance on
accounting for the costs of computer software developed or obtained for internal
use. Once the capitalization criteria of SOP 98-1 have been met, certain
internal and external direct costs of materials, services and interest should be
capitalized. SOP 98-1 is effective for financial statements for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 1998. The Company believes that the application of
SOP 98-1 will not have a material impact on its financial statements.
    
 
   
     In April 1998, the AcSEC issued SOP 98-5 "Reporting on the Costs of
Start-up Activities." SOP 98-5 provides guidance on the financial reporting of
start-up costs and organization costs and requires such costs to be expensed as
incurred. Generally, initial application of SOP 98-5 should be reported as the
cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle. SOP 98-5 is effective for
financial statements for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1998.
Presently, the Company is deferring certain start-up costs related to the
introduction of new Boeing 747-400 freighter aircraft into the Company's fleet.
The Company expects that the net of tax effect of the application of SOP 98-5 in
the first quarter of 1999 to be in the range of $2 million to $3 million.
    
 
   
     In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133 "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities." SFAS No. 133 establishes accounting and
reporting standards requiring that every derivative instrument (including
certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts) be recorded in the
balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value. SFAS
No. 133 requires that changes in the derivative's fair value be recognized
currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. Special
accounting for qualifying hedges allows a derivative's gains and losses to
offset related results on the hedged item in the income statement, and requires
that a company must formally document, designate and assess the effectiveness of
transactions that receive hedge accounting. SFAS No. 133 is effective for years
beginning after June 15, 1999 and may be implemented as of the beginning of any
fiscal quarter after June 15, 1998. The Company has not yet quantified the
impact of adopting SFAS No. 133 on its financial statements and has not
determined the timing of or method of its adoption of SFAS No. 133. However,
SFAS No. 133 could increase volatility in earnings and other comprehensive
income.
    
 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
     To the extent that any of the statements contained herein relating to the
Company's expectations, assumptions and other Company matters are
forward-looking, they are made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based
on current expectations that involve a number of uncertainties and risks that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the
forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, risks associated
with: worldwide business and economic conditions; product demand and the rate of
growth in the air cargo industry; the impact of competitors and competitive
aircraft and aircraft financing availability; the ability to attract and retain
new and existing customers; normalized aircraft operating costs and reliability;
management of growth; the continued productivity of its workforce; dependence on
key personnel; and regulatory matters.
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   39
 
                                    BUSINESS
 
THE COMPANY
 
   
     Atlas is the world's largest air cargo outsourcer, with an all Boeing fleet
of 747 freighter aircraft. The Company provides reliable airport-to-airport
cargo transportation services throughout the world to major international air
carriers generally under three- to five-year fixed-rate U.S. dollar denominated
contracts which typically require that the Company supply aircraft, crew,
maintenance and insurance. The Company's customers currently include China
Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, British Airways, SAS, Emirates, Thai Airways, Fast
Air, LAS, Cargolux and Alitalia. The Company is able to provide efficient, cost
effective service to its customers primarily as a result of its productive work
force, the outsourcing of a significant part of its regular maintenance work on
a fixed-cost basis and the advantageous cost economies realized in the operation
of its fleet, comprised solely of Boeing 747 aircraft which are configured for
service in long-haul cargo operations.
    
 
   
     The Company's fleet currently includes 20 Boeing 747-200 freighter aircraft
in service. On June 9, 1997, the Company entered into an agreement with Boeing
to purchase 10 new 747-400 freighter aircraft to be powered by engines acquired
from GE, with options to purchase up to 10 additional 747-400 aircraft. The
747-400 aircraft has significantly longer range, greater payload capability,
lower maintenance costs and increased fuel efficiency compared to the Boeing
747-200 freighter aircraft. The Company expects to place the 747-400 aircraft in
service with both existing and prospective customers, who the Company believes
should be willing to pay higher ACMI Contract rates to achieve operating
benefits derived from the unique performance capabilities of the 747-400
aircraft. In July and August 1998, the Company took delivery of the first and
second 747-400 freighter aircraft, respectively.
    
 
     The Company attributes its leading market position and continued
opportunities for growth to the following competitive strengths:
 
     - Long-Term Customer Contracts Which Provide Revenue Stability. The
       Company's ACMI Contracts with its customers, which accounted for 96% of
       the Company's total operating revenues in 1997, generally provide for its
       customers to guarantee monthly minimum aircraft utilization levels at
       fixed hourly rates and are typically in force for periods of three to
       five years, subject in certain limited cases to early termination
       provisions. These ACMI Contracts typically require that the Company
       supply aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance and that its customers
       bear all other operating expenses, including fuel and fuel servicing;
       marketing costs associated with obtaining cargo; airport cargo handling;
       landing fees; ground handling, aircraft push-back and de-icing services;
       and specific cargo and mail insurance. The Company's customers are also
       responsible under these contracts for utilizing the cargo capacity of
       each of the contracted aircraft. The ACMI Contracts, therefore, minimize
       for the Company the load factor, yield risk and fuel cost risk
       traditionally associated with the air cargo business and provide the
       Company with a minimum annual revenue base and more predictable profit
       margins. The Company also periodically engages in ad hoc charter or
       scheduled air service depending on availability of aircraft for these
       uses. In addition, the Company differentiates itself from other air cargo
       companies by not directly or indirectly competing with its customers by
       offering its services to freight forwarders or shippers who do business
       with the Company's customers.
 
     - Low Cost Structure. The Company has established itself as a low cost,
       efficient and reliable provider of air cargo transportation primarily due
       to the outsourcing of many of its own required services, the advantageous
       economies of scale realized from the operation of a standardized fleet of
       long-haul Boeing 747-200 aircraft, and its productive work force. The
       uniformity of the 747-200 aircraft fleet allows for standardization in
       maintenance and crew training, resulting in substantial cost savings in
       these areas. In particular, Atlas has advantageous, long-term contracts
       on a fixed-cost per flight hour basis with leading maintenance providers
       such as GE and KLM for a significant portion of its on-going aircraft and
       engine maintenance requirements. As a result of these efficiencies, the
       Company's high service standards and increased airline industry pressure
       to reduce costs, the Company's airline customers have determined that
       outsourcing portions of their air cargo business to the Company can be
       significantly less costly and offer greater operational flexibility than
       expanding their cargo operations by purchasing additional aircraft and
       adding other resources such as personnel and systems. The new
 
                                       33
<PAGE>   40
 
       747-400 aircraft are expected to have even greater operational
       capabilities than the Boeing 747-200 aircraft and will allow the Company
       to continue to maintain its low cost structure. The new aircraft's higher
       level of operational reliability and warrantied condition will result in
       lower maintenance costs during the early years of operation, typically
       for at least five years. In addition, the acquisition of the 10 747-400
       freighter aircraft will make Atlas the largest operator of this aircraft
       type to date and will enable the Company to achieve economies of scale
       from the standardization in maintenance and crew training.
 
     - Expanding Business Base. The growth in demand for air cargo services,
       combined with the lower rate of growth in passenger-airline cargo
       capacity and the continuing pressure on the airline industry to reduce
       operating costs, is expected to provide the Company with the opportunity
       to expand its air cargo outsourcing services. The primary business focus
       of most of the Company's customers is on the transportation of
       passengers, not air cargo. Nevertheless, most passenger airlines have air
       cargo customers that require quick and dependable air cargo service
       between hubs serviced by these carriers. To the extent that airlines have
       cargo capacity on their scheduled flights, which are generally scheduled
       for the convenience of passengers rather than for the needs of air cargo
       customers, air cargo service can be provided by them to meet such demand.
       However, there is a growing trend in the passenger-airline business
       toward replacing existing widebody passenger aircraft and combination
       passenger/cargo aircraft with smaller, more efficient (for passenger
       operations) twin-engine aircraft which have limited cargo space. The
       Company's customers have therefore found that outsourcing to meet their
       additional cargo transportation needs rather than allocating significant
       resources and expanding their fleet of freighter aircraft to effectively
       service their air cargo customers provides a cost-effective alternative
       for them to maintain and expand that portion of their business.
 
     - Increasing Cargo Market Share. The Company has successfully increased its
       customer base from a single customer in 1992 to ten customers in 1998. In
       addition, the Company has operated under short-term, seasonal ACMI
       Contracts with FedEx, Kitty Hawk and UPS and anticipates providing other
       short-term, seasonal service. This increased market share is a result of
       the Company's ability to provide a cost-effective service which has
       gained acceptance within the industry due to the Company's successful
       market development efforts. The addition of the 747-400 aircraft will
       provide the Company with the opportunity to increase its market share to
       new and existing customers who have a need for the greater payload,
       extended range and operational reliability of the 747-400, but for whom
       the purchase of a limited number of 747-400 freighter aircraft would not
       be cost-effective. In addition, the 747-400 aircraft will give the
       Company a competitive advantage with new customers who choose to utilize
       only new or relatively new aircraft or are restricted by local
       regulations limiting the operation of older aircraft.
 
     - Dramatic Industry Growth. While the air cargo industry is highly
       competitive, the Company believes that current industry trends are
       favorable to the continued growth of its business. According to reports
       prepared by Boeing, the world air cargo market is expected to more than
       triple over the next 20 years. Such reports indicate that the world air
       cargo market has grown at an average rate of 7.2% per year from 1986 to
       1997. The average annual percentage growth through 2017 is expected to
       average 6.5%, with international air cargo market growth outpacing U.S.
       domestic growth. The Company believes this growth has been fueled, in
       part, by economic growth, the relaxation of international trade barriers
       (as indicated by the passage of the NAFTA and GATT treaties), reductions
       in the price of shipping by air, manufacturers' search for low-cost labor
       in developing countries, and the increasingly time-sensitive nature of
       product-delivery schedules due to shorter product life-cycles and
       "just-in-time" inventory management. In addition to growth in the global
       air cargo market, the Company expects to benefit from growth in the
       export-driven economies of the countries in the Pacific Rim, where the
       Company has focused a significant amount of its flight operations.
       According to Boeing reports, eastbound and westbound Trans-Pacific cargo
       volumes grew at an average annual rate of 6.9% and 14.3%, respectively,
       between 1986 and 1996, and are projected to grow at an average annual
       rate of 8.0% and 8.1%, respectively, between 1996 and 2016. Similarly,
       northbound and southbound air cargo volumes between North America and
       South America increased at an average annual rate of 9.4% and
 
                                       34
<PAGE>   41
 
       8.8%, respectively, between 1986 and 1996, and are projected to grow at
       an average annual rate of 6.5% and 6.7%, respectively, from 1996 to 2016.
       Additionally, eastbound and westbound North Atlantic air cargo volumes
       increased at an average annual rate of 8.4% and 5.9%, respectively,
       between 1986 and 1996 and are projected to grow at average annual rates
       of 6.7% and 7.2%, respectively, from 1996 to 2016. The Company believes
       that, as a U.S. certificated "flag" carrier, it is well positioned to
       benefit from the progressive expansion of international trade and the
       consequential growth in global air cargo markets, particularly in Asia,
       South America and Europe, where the Company has concentrated a
       significant portion of its resources. The Company has not experienced any
       adverse impact on its business as a result of the recent turmoil in the
       Asian financial markets, although there can be no assurances that there
       will not be any future impact.
 
747-400 AIRCRAFT ACQUISITION
 
   
     In June 1997, the Company entered into the Boeing Purchase Agreement to
purchase 10 new 747-400 freighter aircraft to be powered by GE engines. The
747-400 freighter aircraft are currently scheduled to be delivered as follows:
five in 1998, four in 1999 and one in 2000. In July and August 1998, the Company
took delivery of the first and second 747-400 freighter aircraft, respectively.
Due to production problems at Boeing, some of the 1998 delivery positions of the
747-400 aircraft have been delayed up to 60 days. While Boeing has compensated
the Company for defined delays in delivery of the first two 747-400 aircraft,
any further delays may adversely impact the Company's ability to initiate
service with prospective customers in a timely fashion. The Boeing Purchase
Agreement also provides the Company with options to purchase up to 10 additional
747-400 freighter aircraft for delivery from 2000 through 2002. As a result of
the Company being the largest purchaser of 747-400 freighter aircraft to date,
it was able to negotiate from Boeing and GE a significant discount off the
aggregate list price of $1.7 billion for the 10 747-400 freighter aircraft, four
installed engines per aircraft and five spare engines. In addition, the Company
also obtained certain ancillary products and services at advantageous prices.
    
 
ACMI CONTRACTS
 
     The Company's ACMI Contracts with its customers, which accounted for 96% of
the Company's operating revenues in 1997, typically provide for its customers to
guarantee monthly minimum aircraft utilization levels at fixed hourly rates and
are typically in force for periods of three to five years, subject in certain
limited cases to early termination provisions. These contracts typically require
that the Company supply aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance and that its
customers bear all other operating expenses, including fuel and fuel servicing;
marketing costs associated with obtaining cargo; airport cargo handling; landing
fees; ground handling, aircraft push-back and de-icing services; and specific
cargo and mail insurance. These contracts, therefore, minimize for the Company
the load factor and yield risk traditionally associated with the air cargo
business. The ACMI Contracts typically require minimum air freight capacity to
be provided to its customers by the Company. All of the Company's revenues, and
virtually all of its costs, are in U.S. dollars, thus avoiding currency risks
normally associated with doing business primarily overseas.
 
   
     The Company is currently operating under 17 ACMI Contracts: six with China
Airlines, two each with Fast Air and LAS and one each with Alitalia, British
Airways, Cargolux, Emirates, KLM, SAS and Thai Airways. In most cases, one
aircraft is dedicated under each contract. China Airlines, Fast Air and
Lufthansa accounted for approximately 34%, 11% and 8%, of the Company's total
revenues, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 1997. In addition, the
Company has also operated short-term, seasonal ACMI Contracts with FedEx, Kitty
Hawk and UPS and anticipates doing so in the future from time to time.
    
 
     Certain of the Company's ACMI Contracts allow the Company's customers to
cancel up to a maximum of approximately 5% of the guaranteed hours of aircraft
utilization over the course of a year. The Company's customers most often
exercise such cancellation options early in the first quarter or late in the
fourth quarter of the year, when the demand for air cargo capacity has been
historically lower. The Company has found that such cancellations provide a
timely opportunity for the scheduling of maintenance on its aircraft, to the
extent possible. See "-- Maintenance." The ACMI Contracts are typically in force
for periods of three to five years, subject in certain limited cases to early
termination provisions. The Company believes that its relationships
                                       35
<PAGE>   42
 
with its customers are mutually satisfactory, as evidenced by the fact that
within the last three years, it has renewed twelve ACMI Contracts and added nine
ACMI Contracts with its existing customers, although there can be no assurance
that future such contracts will not be canceled in accordance with their terms.
 
     All of the ACMI Contracts provide that each of the Company's aircraft be
deemed to be at all times under the exclusive operating control, possession and
direction of the Company and that, in order to service the routes designated by
the contract, the Company obtain the authority from the governments having
jurisdiction over the route. See "-- Governmental Regulation." Additionally, if
the Company is required to use the customer's "call sign" in identifying itself
throughout its route, the customer must also have obtained underlying authority
from the governments having jurisdiction over the route. Therefore, the
Company's route structure is limited to areas in which it can gain access from
the appropriate governments.
 
OTHER FLIGHT OPERATIONS
 
     To the extent the Company has available excess aircraft capacity at any
time, it will seek to obtain ad hoc charter service contracts, which the Company
believes are generally readily available. In addition, in the past the Company
has provided service to FedEx, Kitty Hawk and UPS pursuant to short-term,
seasonal ACMI Contracts during periods of excess aircraft capacity.
 
AIRCRAFT
 
     The Company's utilization of Boeing 747 aircraft provides significant
marketing advantages because these aircraft, relative to most other cargo
aircraft that are commercially available, have higher maximum payload and cubic
capacities, and longer range. The uniformity of the Company's current Boeing
747-200 aircraft fleet allows for standardization in maintenance and crew
training, resulting in substantial cost savings in these areas. The new 747-400
aircraft are expected to have greater operational capabilities than the 747-200
aircraft and will allow the Company to continue to maintain its low cost
structure despite their higher acquisition cost. The new aircraft's limited
maintenance requirements will provide a higher level of operational reliability
with lower maintenance costs during the early years of operation, typically for
at least five years. In addition, the acquisition of the 10 747-400 freighter
aircraft will make Atlas the largest operator of this aircraft type to date and
will enable the Company to capitalize on economies of scale from the
standardization in maintenance and crew training.
 
   
     In January 1998, the Company's leases for five Boeing 747-200 from FedEx
expired and the aircraft were returned. Partial restoration of this loss of
capacity was accomplished through the delivery of two 747-200 aircraft following
their conversion to freighter configuration in April and July 1998. In addition,
the Company expects to make up the remainder of this loss of capacity with the
delivery of five 747-400 aircraft during the second half of 1998.
    
 
   
     The following table describes, as of August 15, 1998, the Company's
existing fleet, one aircraft currently leased to a third-party and the 747-400
aircraft subject to the Boeing Purchase Agreement.
    
 
   
                                 FLEET PROFILE
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                NUMBER       AIRCRAFT                       YEAR OF
                                              OF AIRCRAFT      TYPE      OWNED/LEASED     MANUFACTURE
                                              -----------    --------    ------------     -----------
<S>                                           <C>            <C>         <C>              <C>
Existing fleet:.............................      18         747-200         Owned(1)      1974-1986(2)
                                                   1         747-200        Leased(3)           1976
                                                   2         747-400        Leased(4)           1998
Aircraft leased to third-party:.............       1         747-200         Owned(5)           1978
747-400 aircraft on order:..................       8         747-400              (6)      1998-2000
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 
   
(1) Two aircraft are powered by Pratt & Whitney ("P&W") engines and 16 are
    powered by GE engines.
    
 
   
(2) The years of manufacture for these 18 aircraft are as follows: five aircraft
    in 1979, three aircraft in 1980, two aircraft in 1976 and one aircraft each
    in 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 1985 and 1986.
    
 
                                       36
<PAGE>   43
 
   
(3) The aircraft is leased from a third party under a lease expiring in March
    2010 and is powered by GE engines.
    
 
   
(4) In July and August 1998, the Company took delivery of the first and second
    of 10 747-400 freighter aircraft it has contracted to acquire under the
    Boeing Purchase Agreement.
    
 
   
(5) This freighter aircraft is powered by GE engines and was purchased by the
    Company in July 1998. This aircraft is under lease to a third-party into the
    first quarter of 1999, at which time the Company expects to place this
    aircraft into ACMI Contract service.
    
 
   
(6) The Company has agreed to purchase 10 new Boeing 747-400 freighter aircraft,
    with options to purchase an additional 10 aircraft. The first and second
    aircraft were delivered in July and August 1998, respectively. The remaining
    eight aircraft are scheduled to be delivered as follows: three in 1998, four
    in 1999 and one in 2000. See "-- 747-400 Aircraft Acquisition." These
    aircraft will be powered by GE engines. A portion of the financing for the
    first five aircraft has been secured through the EETCs. In addition, the
    Company may arrange for tax-oriented long-term leases on some or all of
    these aircraft.
    
 
     The Company has been successful in obtaining new customers, or additional
arrangements with existing customers coincident with the delivery of aircraft
into the fleet, or soon thereafter. However, from time to time, the Company
accepts delivery of aircraft that have not been committed to a particular ACMI
Contract. These aircraft have been utilized temporarily as replacement aircraft
during scheduled and unscheduled maintenance of other aircraft, as well as for
ad hoc charter arrangements. Although the Company intends to have new ACMI
Contracts in place upon delivery of aircraft, including the 747-400 aircraft,
there can be no assurance that such arrangements will have been made.
 
     From time to time, the Company engages in discussions with third parties
regarding possible acquisitions of aircraft that could expand the Company's
operations. The Company is in discussions with third parties for the possible
acquisition of additional aircraft for delivery in 1998 and beyond.
 
SALES AND MARKETING
 
     From its offices in Colorado, New York and Miami, the Company services its
air cargo customers and solicits ACMI Contract business. The Company's efforts
to obtain new ACMI Contract business focus principally on international airlines
with established air cargo customers, high operating costs and hub and spoke
systems which gather cargo at a particular location and which have the need for
long-distance capacity to move such cargo to another distribution point. On
occasion, the Company may utilize independent cargo brokers to obtain new ACMI
Contracts. The Company markets its services by guaranteeing its customers a
reliable, low-cost dedicated aircraft with the capacity to ensure the efficient
linkage of such customers' distribution points without the customers having to
purchase and maintain additional aircraft, schedule additional flights and add
other resources. The Company expects to place the 747-400 aircraft in service
with both existing and prospective customers, which the Company believes should
be willing to pay higher ACMI Contract rates to achieve operating benefits
derived from the unique performance capabilities of the 747-400 aircraft such as
its longer range, greater payload and increased fuel efficiency.
 
MAINTENANCE
 
     Due to the average age of the Company's Boeing 747-200 fleet, it is likely
that the aircraft will require greater maintenance than newer aircraft such as
the 747-400 aircraft. See "-- Aircraft." Aircraft maintenance includes, among
other things, routine daily maintenance, maintenance every six weeks (an "A
Check"), significant maintenance work every 18 months (a "C Check") and major
maintenance events every five years or 25,000 flight hours, whichever comes
later if the aircraft is over the age of 18 years, or every six years or 25,000
flight hours, whichever comes later for aircraft under the age of 18 years, with
a maximum interval in either case of nine years (a "D Check"). The Company
attempts to schedule major maintenance on its aircraft in the first quarter of
the calendar year, when the demand for air cargo capacity has historically been
lower, taking advantage of cancellations of flights by the Company's customers
that generally occur most frequently during these periods.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>   44
 
     Pursuant to a maintenance contract with KLM (the "Maintenance Contract") in
effect until January 2005, a significant part of the regular maintenance
(principally C Checks and engine overhauls, excluding D Checks) of certain of
the Company's aircraft and their GE engines is undertaken by KLM, primarily at
its maintenance base located at Schiphol International Airport in Amsterdam, The
Netherlands. KLM supplies engineering and diagnostic testing for each aircraft
and its components in compliance with the FAA and other applicable regulations.
The Maintenance Contract provides that KLM, subject to certain terms and
conditions, will perform repairs and maintenance of the Company's aircraft on
the same basis and order of priority as repairs to its own fleet. Such service
is provided to the Company at a cost, for which a large part is a fixed rate per
flight hour, subject to a 3.5% annual escalation factor for the first five
years. P&W engines are serviced elsewhere, each at a cost based upon the actual
time and material necessary for such service. Under the terms of the Maintenance
Contract, in the event that the Company wishes to maintain more than 12 of its
aircraft under such contract, the terms of the contract are subject to
adjustment by KLM. Twelve of the Company's aircraft are currently subject to the
Maintenance Contract.
 
     In June 1996, the Company entered into a ten year engine maintenance
agreement with GE for the engine maintenance of up to 15 aircraft powered by
CF6-50E2 engines at a fixed rate per flight hour, subject to an annual formula
increase. The agreement commenced in the third quarter of 1996 with the
acceptance of engines associated with aircraft acquired in the third and fourth
quarter of 1996. Effective in the year 2000, the Company has an option to add
not less than 40 engines to the program.
 
   
     During the initial operating period, the 747-400 aircraft's airframe will
be covered under manufacturer's warranties. As a result, the Company does not
expect to incur significant maintenance expense in connection with the 747-400
airframe during the warranty period. In addition, the 747-400 airframe limited
maintenance requirements will provide a higher operational reliability with
lower maintenance costs during the early years of operation, typically for at
least five years. The Company will incur expenses associated with routine daily
maintenance of both the airframe and the engines. In July 1998, the Company
entered into an agreement with Lufthansa Technik by which Lufthansa Technik will
provide all required maintenance for the Company's initial order of ten 747-400
aircraft, plus any additional 747-400 aircraft the Company purchases pursuant to
its option in the Boeing Purchase Contract, on a "power by the hour" basis for
ten years, with a provision for the Company to terminate the agreement as of
June 2003. In connection with the GE engine purchase agreement, the Company has
also entered into two agreements with GE to provide ongoing maintenance on the
747-400 aircraft engines at a fixed rate per flight hour, subject to an annual
formula increase.
    
 
   
     The Company believes that fixed-cost contracts provide the most efficient
means of ensuring the continued service of its aircraft fleet and the most
reliable way by which to predict its maintenance costs; however, the Company
believes it is more cost effective for routine line maintenance and A Checks to
be performed on a time and material basis due to the frequency of such
maintenance. The Company also has a contract with B.F. Goodrich Co. to perform
maintenance on its brakes and for the replacement of tires.
    
 
GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION
 
     Under the Aviation Act, the DOT and the FAA exercise regulatory authority
over the Company. The DOT's jurisdiction extends primarily to economic issues
related to the air transportation industry, including, among other things, air
carrier certification and fitness, insurance, certain leasing arrangements, the
authorization of proposed scheduled and charter operations, tariffs, consumer
protection, unfair methods of competition, unjust discrimination and deceptive
practices. The FAA's regulatory authority relates primarily to air safety,
including aircraft certification and operations, crew licensing/training and
maintenance standards.
 
     To provide air cargo transportation services under long-term contracts with
major international airlines, the Company relies primarily on its worldwide
charter authorities. The Company requires separate DOT and FAA approval for each
long-term ACMI Contract. In addition, FAA approval is required for each of the
Company's short-term, seasonal ACMI Contracts.
 
     In order to engage in its air transportation business, the Company is
required to maintain a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (a
"CPCN") from the DOT. Prior to issuing a CPCN, the DOT examines
                                       38
<PAGE>   45
 
a company's managerial competence, financial resources and plans and compliance
disposition in order to determine whether a carrier is fit, willing and able to
engage in the transportation services it has proposed to undertake, and whether
a carrier conforms with the Aviation Act requirement that the transportation
services proposed are consistent with the public convenience and necessity.
Among other things, a company holding a CPCN must qualify as a United States
citizen, which requires that it be organized under the laws of the United States
or a State, Territory or Possession thereof; that its Chief Executive Officer
and at least two-thirds of its Board of Directors and other managing officers be
United States citizens; that not more than 25% of its voting stock be owned or
controlled, directly or indirectly, by foreign nationals; and that it not
otherwise be subject to foreign control. The DOT may impose conditions or
restrictions on such a CPCN.
 
     The DOT has issued the Company a CPCN to engage in interstate and overseas
air transportation of property and mail, and a CPCN to engage in foreign air
transportation of property and mail between the U.S. and Taiwan. Both CPCNs are
subject to standard terms, conditions and limitations. By virtue of holding
those CPCNs, the Company possesses worldwide charter authorities. It also holds
limited-term DOT exemption authority to engage in scheduled air transportation
of property and mail between certain points in the U.S. and Hong Kong.
 
     International air services are generally governed by a network of bilateral
civil air transport agreements in which rights are exchanged between
governments, which then select and designate air carriers authorized to exercise
such rights. Insofar as scheduled service is involved, bilateral agreements may
prohibit services to certain countries. For countries in which service is
authorized, these bilateral agreements specify the city-pair markets that may be
served; may restrict the number of carriers that may be designated; may provide
for prior approval by one or both governments of the prices the carriers may
charge; may limit frequencies or the amount of capacity to be offered in the
market; and, in various other ways, may impose limitations on the operations of
air carriers. To obtain authority under a bilateral agreement, it is often
necessary to compete against other carriers in a DOT proceeding. At the
conclusion of the proceeding, the DOT awards all route authorizations. The
provisions of bilateral agreements pertaining to charter services vary
considerably from country to country. Some agreements limit the number of
charter flights that carriers of each country may operate. The Company is
subject to various international bilateral air services agreements between the
U.S. and the countries to which the Company provides service. The Company also
operates on behalf of foreign flag air carriers between various foreign points
without serving the U.S. These services are subject to the bilateral agreements
of the respective governments. Furthermore, these services require FAA approval
but not DOT approval. The Company must obtain permission from the applicable
foreign governments to provide service to foreign points.
 
     The Company has obtained an operating certificate issued by the FAA
pursuant to Part 121 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. The FAA has
jurisdiction over the regulation of flight operations generally, including the
licensing of pilots and maintenance personnel; the establishment of minimum
standards for training and retraining; maintenance of technical standards for
flight, communications and ground equipment; security programs; and other
matters affecting air safety. In addition, the FAA mandates certain
recordkeeping procedures. The Company must obtain and maintain FAA certificates
of airworthiness for all of its aircraft. The Company's aircraft, flight
personnel and flight and emergency procedures are subject to periodic
inspections and tests by the FAA. All air carriers operating to, from or within
the United States are subject to the strict scrutiny of the FAA to ensure proper
compliance with FAA regulations.
 
     The DOT and the FAA have authority under the Aviation Safety and Noise
Abatement Act of 1979, as amended and recodified, and under the Airport Noise
and Capacity Act of 1990, to monitor and regulate aircraft engine noise. All of
the Company's existing fleet of aircraft comply with Stage III Standards -- the
highest standard issued by the FAA.
 
   
     Under the FAA's Directives issued under its "Aging Aircraft" program, the
Company is subject to extensive aircraft examinations and may be required to
undertake structural modifications to its fleet to address the problem of
corrosion and structural fatigue. In November 1994, Boeing issued Nacelle Strut
Modification Service Bulletins which have been converted into Directives by the
FAA. Seven of the Company's Boeing 747-200 aircraft will have to be brought into
compliance with such Directives by
    
 
                                       39
<PAGE>   46
 
   
March 2000 at an estimated total cost of approximately $3.5 million. As part of
the FAA's overall aging aircraft program, it has issued Directives requiring
certain additional aircraft modifications to be accomplished. The Company
estimates that the modification costs per aircraft will range between $2 million
and $3 million. Twelve aircraft in the Company's fleet have already undergone
the major portion of such modifications. The remaining eight aircraft in service
will require modification prior to the year 2009. Other Directives have been
issued that require inspections and minor modifications to Boeing 747-200
aircraft. It is possible that additional Directives applicable to the types of
aircraft or engines included in the Company's fleet could be issued in the
future, the cost of which could be substantial.
    
 
   
     The Company is also subject to the regulations of the Environmental
Protection Agency regarding air quality in the U.S. With respect to aircraft
that it operates, the Company meets the fuel venting requirements and smoke
emissions standards established by the Environmental Protection Agency.
    
 
COMPETITION
 
   
     The market for air cargo services is highly competitive. A number of
airlines currently provide services for themselves and for others similar to the
services offered by the Company and new airlines may be formed that would also
compete with the Company. Such airlines may have substantially greater financial
resources than the Company. In addition, certain retail air freight companies,
such as Evergreen International, Southern Air Transport and Kitty Hawk, compete
with the Company on a limited, indirect basis, generally outside of the ACMI
operating structure. The Company believes that the most important factors for
competition in the air cargo business are the range, payload and cubic
capacities of the aircraft and the price, flexibility, quality and reliability
of service. The ability of the Company to achieve its strategic plan depends in
part upon its success in convincing major international airlines that
outsourcing some portion of their air cargo business remains more cost-effective
than undertaking cargo operations with their own incremental capacity and
resources and the ability of the Company to obtain higher ACMI Contract rates in
connection with the 747-400 aircraft compared to those currently obtained in
connection with existing Boeing 747-200 aircraft. The Company believes that such
higher rates will be obtainable as a result of the unique operating benefits
associated with the 747-400 aircraft. These operational benefits include a
longer range, greater payload capability and increased fuel efficiency relative
to the Boeing 747-200 aircraft.
    
 
FUEL
 
     Although fuel costs are typically the largest operating expense for
airlines, the Company has limited exposure to the fluctuation of fuel costs and
disruptions in supply as a result of its ACMI Contracts, which require the
customers to provide fuel for the aircraft. However, an increase in fuel costs
could reduce the Company's cost advantages because of its older Boeing 747-200
aircraft fleet, which are not as fuel-efficient as newer cargo aircraft such as
the 747-400 aircraft. In addition, to the extent the Company operates scheduled
cargo or ad hoc charter services, or positions its aircraft, it is responsible
for fuel and other costs that are normally borne by the customers under the ACMI
Contracts. In 1997, approximately 2% of the Company's block hours represented
scheduled cargo, ad hoc charter services or positioning its aircraft for its own
account. The Company may, at times, have excess capacity in which case it may
deploy such aircraft in scheduled cargo or ad hoc charter services.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
   
     As of July 31, 1998, the Company had 750 employees, 431 of whom were air
crew members. The Company expects to hire additional pilots in 1998 associated
with the delivery of additional aircraft, including the 747-400 aircraft. The
Company maintains a comprehensive training program for its pilots in compliance
with FAA requirements in which each pilot regularly attends update programs. The
Company believes that its current training program can be sufficiently modified
to provide training required for pilots for the 747-400 aircraft. In addition,
as part of the Boeing Purchase Agreement, to defray a portion of the costs,
Boeing will train a limited number of the Company's pilots and crew to be
assigned to the 747-400 aircraft. However, the Company may incur incremental
costs associated with ongoing training with regard to the 747-400 aircraft.
    
 
                                       40
<PAGE>   47
 
     The Company believes that its employees' participation in the growth and
profitability of its business is essential to maintain its productivity and low
cost structure, and has therefore established programs for that purpose such as
a profit sharing plan, a stock purchase plan, and a Company percentage
contribution of the employee deferral contribution to a retirement plan
(Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, Section 401(k) plan). Such programs
are designed to allow employees to share financially in the Company's success
and to augment base salary levels and retirement income. The Company considers
its relations with its employees to be good.
 
     The Company's labor relations are covered under Title II of the Railway
Labor Act of 1926, as amended, and are subject to the jurisdiction of the
National Mediation Board. None of the Company's employees is subject to a
collective bargaining agreement; however, many airline industry employees are
subject to such agreements and the Company's employees have been and are
routinely solicited by union representatives seeking to organize them. In
January 1998, the Company's pilots rejected union representation by the ALPA.
 
INSURANCE
 
     The Company is vulnerable to potential losses which may be incurred in the
event of an aircraft accident. Any such accident could involve not only repair
or replacement of a damaged aircraft and its consequent temporary or permanent
loss from service, but also potential claims involving injury to persons or
property. The Company is required by the DOT to carry liability insurance on
each of its aircraft, and each of the Company's aircraft leases and ACMI
Contracts also requires the Company to carry such insurance. While the Company
carries this insurance, any extended interruption of the Company's operations
due to the loss of an aircraft could have a material adverse effect on the
Company. The Company currently maintains public liability and property damage
insurance and aircraft hull and liability insurance for each of the aircraft in
the fleet in amounts consistent with industry standards. The Company maintains
baggage and cargo liability insurance if not provided by its customers under
ACMI Contracts. Although the Company believes that its insurance coverage is
adequate, there can be no assurance that the amount of such coverage will not be
changed upon renewal or that the Company will not be forced to bear substantial
losses from accidents. Substantial claims resulting from an accident could have
a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and could affect
the ability of the Company to obtain insurance in the future. The Company
believes that it has good relations with its insurance providers.
 
FACILITIES
 
     The Company's principal executive offices are located in a 7,000 square
foot office building owned by the Company at 538 Commons Drive, Golden,
Colorado. The Company also rents 2,500 square feet of office space in an
adjacent building.
 
     The Company presently occupies a 22,000 square foot facility located at
JFK. This facility includes administrative offices, maintenance work areas and
hangar and parts storage facilities, as well as flight dispatch operations. The
Company occupies this facility pursuant to a lease agreement with Japan Airlines
("JAL") for a five-year period with two five-year renewal rights from JAL, which
began on June 1, 1995, at a monthly rate of approximately $55,000. Effective
August 1, 1998 the Company will lease an additional 5,000 square feet and the
monthly rate will increase to approximately $70,000. The Company believes the
JAL facility is adequate to support the near term growth in operations that will
result from the anticipated acquisition of additional aircraft. In addition, the
Company leases 7,750 square feet of warehouse space at JFK for the storage of
aircraft components, tires and other aircraft related equipment at a monthly
lease rate of $5,000. The initial lease term expires at the end of August 1999
and provides for two one-year renewal option periods beginning September 1,
1999.
 
     Due to increased operations at Miami International Airport ("MIA"), the
Company entered into a month-to-month office lease and a month-to-month
warehouse lease with Dade County, Florida in March 1997 at a combined monthly
lease rate of approximately $6,000. The leased warehouse space is used to store
aviation equipment and aircraft components used to maintain aircraft operated by
the Company. In addition, the Company recently entered into a sublease and ramp
use agreement with American Airlines, Inc. for
 
                                       41
<PAGE>   48
 
145,000 square feet of hangar, office and parking space at MIA in support of the
Company's increased operations. The lease is for a period in excess of four
years and commences July 1, 1998, at a monthly rate of approximately $105,000,
subject to an annual escalation factor.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
     On February 24, 1997, the Company filed a complaint for declaratory
judgment in the Colorado District Court, Jefferson County against Israel
Aircraft Industries Ltd. ("IAI") for mechanical problems the Company experienced
with respect to an aircraft the Company sub-leased from IAI. The Company is
seeking approximately $4 million in damages against IAI to be offset by the
amount, if any, the Company owes IAI pursuant to the sub-lease. IAI had the case
removed to the U.S. District Court, District of Colorado on April 21, 1997 and
has filed counterclaims alleging damages of approximately $9 million based on
claims arising from the sub-lease. The Company intends to vigorously defend
against all of IAI's claims.
 
     In March 1997, Air Support International, Inc. ("ASI") filed a complaint
against the Company in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
alleging actual and punitive damages of approximately $13.5 million arising from
the Company's refusal to pay commissions which ASI claims it is owed for
allegedly arranging certain ACMI Contracts. The Company intends to vigorously
defend against all of ASI's claims.
 
     While the Company is from time to time involved in litigation in the
ordinary course of its business, there are no other material legal proceedings
pending against the Company or to which any of its property is subject.
 
                                       42
<PAGE>   49
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
     The following table sets forth certain information regarding the executive
officers and directors of the Company.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 NAME                                               POSITION
                 ----                                               --------
<S>                                      <C>
Michael A. Chowdry.....................  Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President and
                                           Director
Richard H. Shuyler.....................  Executive Vice President -- Strategic Planning, Treasurer and
                                           Director
James T. Matheny.......................  Senior Vice President -- Operations
R. Terrence Rendleman..................  Senior Vice President -- Flight and Technical Operations
Stanley G. Wraight.....................  Senior Vice President -- Marketing
Thomas G. Scott........................  Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Stephen C. Nevin.......................  Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Berl Bernhard..........................  Director
Lawrence W. Clarkson...................  Director
David K.P. Li..........................  Director
David T. McLaughlin....................  Director
Brian Rowe.............................  Director
</TABLE>
    
 
     Michael A. Chowdry, 43, has been Chairman of the Board of Directors and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company since its inception in August 1992, and
served as President from July 1995 to May 1996 and September 1997 to the
present. He is also Chairman of the Board (since its inception in April 1985) of
Aeronautics Leasing, Inc., an affiliate of the Company ("ALI"). Prior to his
founding of ALI, he formed a Colorado-based certificated commuter air carrier in
1981, and was the principal stockholder of Skybus, Inc., the certificated air
carrier successor to Frontier Horizon Airlines, from 1984 to 1985. He has been
involved in the operation, acquisition, financing and disposition of aircraft
and aviation assets since 1978.
 
     Richard H. Shuyler, 51, has been a member of the Company's Board of
Directors since March 1995 and was Senior Vice President -- Finance, Chief
Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company from June 1994 to February 1998.
As of February 1998, Mr. Shuyler became Executive Vice President -- Strategic
Planning of the Company and also retained his position as Treasurer. From
January 1993 to June 1994, he was Senior Vice President -- Finance and Chief
Financial Officer at Trans World Airlines, Inc. ("TWA"). From 1975 to 1992, he
held various management and executive positions with Continental Airlines, Inc.,
and various of its affiliates and corporate predecessors, including Texas
International Airlines, Inc., Texas Air Corporation and New York Air, serving as
Senior Vice President -- Finance and Chief Financial Officer at those entities.
 
   
     James T. Matheny, 59, has been Senior Vice President -- Operations of the
Company since December 1992. From 1991 to 1992, he was Director -- Quality
Assurance and subsequently, Vice President -- Maintenance and Engineering for
Eastern Airlines, Inc. From 1961 to 1991, he served in the United States Navy,
rising to Commanding Officer of an aircraft squadron, two air wings and an
aircraft carrier, and Operations Officer of the Seventh Fleet based in Japan.
    
 
     R. Terrence Rendleman, 53, has been Senior Vice President -- Technical
Services and Flight Operations since January 1, 1997. From June 1993 to December
1996, he was Senior Vice President for Maintenance Operations at United
Airlines. Prior to that, he served as Senior Vice President -- Technical
Operations at Northwest Airlines from April 1985 to June 1993. From January 1983
to April 1985, he served as Vice President of Engineering and Maintenance at
Braniff Airlines, where he was a Boeing 727 pilot from 1979 to 1983.
 
   
     Stanley G. Wraight, 51, has been Senior Vice President -- Marketing since
May 1997. From 1995 to 1997, he led KLM's worldwide sales efforts. From 1965 to
1995, he was employed by KLM in various capacities, including Vice President of
KLM's sales, marketing and operations in Asia, Australia and the Middle East.
    
 
   
     Thomas G. Scott, 48, has been Senior Vice President and General Counsel
since July 1998. Prior to his employment with the Company and since 1980, Mr.
Scott was employed with UPS where he served in a variety of positions, including
Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, with primary responsibility for managing
the airline legal department including aircraft acquisitions, airport projects
and international expansion. Mr. Scott received a B.S.A.S. from Youngstown State
University and a J.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law.
    
 
                                       43
<PAGE>   50
 
     Stephen C. Nevin, 48, has been Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
since February 16, 1998. From May 1994 to January 1998, he was Senior Vice
President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer at AirTran Holdings, Inc. From
December 1982 to April 1994, he served as a Vice President at McDonnell Douglas
Finance Corporation.
 
   
     Berl Bernhard, 68, has been a member of the Washington based law firm of
Verner, Liipfert, Bernhard, McPherson and Hand since 1960 and has served as its
Chairman since 1982. He was nominated by President Kennedy and confirmed by the
Senate in 1961 to serve as Staff Director of the U.S. Commission on Civil
Rights. He was Special Advisor to Secretary of State Dean Rusk and Under
Secretary of State W. Averell Harriman (1963-65), and was Senior Advisor to
Secretary of State Edmund S. Muskie (1980-81). He also served as a Trustee of
Dartmouth College (1974-1984). He acted as special counsel to the Trustees of
Eastern Airlines and special counsel to the Chairman of Northwest Airlines, and
served as Trustee of the Federal City Council from 1988-1992. Mr. Bernhard
served as Chairman of the Aspen Institute from 1991-1996 as well as Chairman of
its Executive Committee. He was a director of Uniroyal Chemical Company, Inc.
and UNC Inc.
    
 
     Lawrence W. Clarkson, 60, has been President of Boeing Enterprises since
February 1997, where he is responsible for establishing and directing new
commercial airplane-related business acquisitions, joint ventures and other
relationships outside of the traditional business scope of Boeing. Since April
1992 he has also been a Senior Vice President of Boeing. He previously held
various management and executive positions with Boeing which he joined in 1987.
Prior to that, for twenty years he held various management and executive
positions with Pratt & Whitney. He serves as Vice Chairman of the National
Bureau of Asian Research, Chairman of U.S.-Pacific Economic Cooperation Council
and Chairman of the National Center for APEC, and as a Director of the
U.S.-China Business Council, the National Association of Manufacturers and the
Atlantic Council. He also serves on the U.S.-Japan Joint High Level Advisory
Panel and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Pacific Council
on International Policy and the National Research Council -- Committee on Japan.
 
     David K.P. Li, 58, has been a member of the Company's Board of Directors
since April 16, 1998. He has been Chairman of the Bank of East Asia, Limited
since 1997 and a director and the Chief Executive of the Bank of East Asia,
Limited since 1981. He is a director of Campbell Soup Company, CATIC Shenzhen
Holdings Limited, CBS Corporation, Chelsfield Plc., China Merchants China Direct
Investments Limited, China Overseas Land & Investment Limited, Dow Jones &
Company, Inc., Guangnan (Holdings) Limited, The Hong Kong and China Gas Company
Limited. The Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited, Hong Kong Interbank
Clearing Limited, The Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited, Hong Kong
Telecommunications Limited (Deputy Chairman), KTP Holdings Limited, New World
Infrastructure Limited, PowerGen Plc., San Miguel Brewery Hong Kong Limited,
Sime Darby Berhad and Sime Darby Hong Kong Limited, South China Morning Post
(Holdings) Limited and Vitasoy International Holdings Limited. Mr. Li serves on
the international advisory boards of Avon Products Inc., Bank Austria, Bank of
Montreal, Carlos P. Romulo Foundation for Peace and Development, Daimler-Benz
AG, Federal Reserve Bank of New York's International Capital Markets Advisory
Committee, Gulfstream Aerospace, IBM, Jardine Fleming Asian Property Company,
Lafarge, PowerGen and Rolls-Royce Plc.
 
     David T. McLaughlin, 66, has been a member of the Company's Board of
Directors since September 1995. He has been President and Chief Executive
Officer of The Aspen Institute since his appointment in 1988, as well as
Chairman of its Board of Trustees since 1994. From 1972 to 1977 he served as
Chief Executive Officer of The Toro Company, and served as its Chairman from
1977 to 1981. From 1981 to 1987, he served as president of Dartmouth College. He
is currently a director of ARCO, Chase Manhattan Corporation, Westinghouse
Electric Corporation, CBS Inc., Standard Fusee Corporation, and PartnerRe, Inc.
and serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Asia Foundation Center
for Asian Pacific Affairs.
 
     Brian Rowe, 67, has been a member of the Company's Board of Directors since
March 1995. He retired as Chairman of the General Electric Aircraft Engines
division of the General Electric Company in January 1995, a position he held
since September 1993, where he was in charge of world-wide sales of GE engines.
Prior to that, he held various management and executive positions with General
Electric, which he joined in 1957, including President of General Electric
Aircraft Engines (from 1979 to 1993), Vice President and General Manager of the
Aircraft Engineering Division (from 1976 to 1979), Vice President and General
Manager of the Airline Programs Division (from 1974 to 1976) and Vice President
and General Manager of the Commercial Engine Projects Division (from 1972 to
1974).
 
                                       44
<PAGE>   51
 
                      DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS
 
AIRCRAFT CREDIT FACILITY
 
     In May 1996, the Company entered into a $175 million revolving credit
facility with Goldman Sachs, as Syndication Agent, and BTCo, as Administrative
Agent. This revolving loan facility provides for the acquisition and conversion
of flight equipment. The Aircraft Credit Facility was subsequently amended and
restated in conjunction with certain refinancings. The Aircraft Credit Facility
was amended and restated in February 1997 and in September 1997 (the "Third
Amended Restated Credit Facility"). The Third Amended and Restated Credit
Facility provides for a $250 million revolving credit facility as of September
5, 1997 with a two-year revolving period and a subsequent three-year term loan
period in the event that permanent financing has not been obtained for any
flight equipment financed under the facility. At the time of each borrowing, the
Company must select either a Base Rate Loan (prime rate, plus 1.5% through May
8, 1998, thereafter plus 2.0%) or a Eurodollar Rate Loan (Eurodollar rate, plus
2.5% through May 8, 1998, thereafter plus 3.0%). The Eurodollar Rate Loan was
selected by the Company for substantially all borrowings in 1996 and 1997. The
weighted average interest rate on borrowings outstanding under the Aircraft
Credit Facility was 8.2% at March 31, 1998. Each borrowing is secured by a first
priority security interest in the collateral flight equipment of that borrowing.
Certain tests must be met before each purchase of aircraft and related drawdown
on the facility. To date, the Company has met these tests. If in the future, the
Company cannot meet all the tests because of the difficult sequencing of
aircraft acquisition, aircraft conversion and customer contracts, the Company
believes that other financing sources would be available to the Company or that
it would acquire aircraft using its internal cash or seek a waiver of any
necessary conditions. As of March 31, 1998, the Company had $88.3 million
outstanding under the Aircraft Credit Facility. The Company will utilize a
portion of the proceeds from the Offering of the Old Notes to repay $80.0
million outstanding under the Aircraft Credit Facility.
 
     Covenants with respect to the Aircraft Credit Facility require specific
levels of insurance, as well as contain requirements regarding possession,
maintenance, and lease or transfer of the flight equipment. Certain covenants
applicable to the Company include, among other restrictions, limitations on
indebtedness, liens, investments, contingent obligations, restricted junior
payments, capital expenditures and leases. The Company was in compliance with
all such covenants at March 31, 1998.
 
AFL TERM LOAN FACILITY
 
     In May 1997, the Company formed a wholly owned subsidiary, Atlas Freighter
Leasing, Inc., for the purpose of entering into the $185 million AFL Term Loan
Facility to refinance six Boeing 747-200 aircraft previously financed through
bank debt. Concurrent with entering into the AFL Term Loan Facility, the
proceeds of the AFL Term Loan Facility were used to repay all existing principal
and interest due under the bank debt. Interest is based on the Eurodollar rate,
plus 2.5% for the first three years and 3.0% thereafter, and is payable
quarterly. The interest rate on borrowings outstanding under the AFL Term Loan
Facility was 8.2% at March 31, 1998. Quarterly scheduled principal payments of
$2.5 million commenced in February 1998 and increase to $5.7 million in August
1998 with a final payment of $50.0 million in May 2004. The AFL Term Loan
Facility is secured by a first priority interest in the six subject aircraft and
is restrictive with respect to limitations on indebtedness, liens, investments,
contingent obligations, restricted junior payments, capital expenditures,
amendments of material agreements, leases, transactions with shareholders and
affiliates and the conduct of business. The Company was in compliance with all
such covenants as of March 31, 1998.
 
AFL II TERM LOAN FACILITY
 
     In September 1997, the Company formed another wholly owned subsidiary,
Atlas Freighter Leasing II, Inc. for the purpose of entering into the $185
million AFL II Term Loan Facility to refinance four of the aircraft previously
financed under the Aircraft Credit Facility, plus nine spare engines, in order
to provide the Company with greater financial flexibility in anticipation of the
financing requirements for the future acquisition of additional aircraft.
Interest is based on the Eurodollar rate, plus 2.3%, less a pricing reduction,
if any, in effect from time to time and is payable quarterly. The interest rate
on borrowings outstanding under the
                                       45
<PAGE>   52
 
AFL II Term Loan Facility was 7.9% at March 31, 1998. Quarterly scheduled
principal payments of $2.5 million commenced in February 1998 and increase to
$5.7 million in August 1998 with a final payment of $50.0 million in May 2004.
The AFL II Term Loan Facility is secured by a first priority interest in the
four subject aircraft, plus nine spare engines, and is restrictive with respect
to limitations on indebtedness, liens, investments, contingent obligations,
restricted junior payments, capital expenditures, amendments of material
agreements, leases, transactions with shareholders and affiliates and the
conduct of business. The Company was in compliance with all such covenants as of
March 31, 1998.
 
10 3/4% SENIOR NOTES
 
     In August 1997, the Company completed the offering of its unsecured 10 3/4%
Senior Notes due 2005. The proceeds from the offering of the Senior Notes were
used to, among other things, repay short-term indebtedness incurred by the
Company to make Pre-Delivery Deposits to Boeing for the purchase of 10 new
freighter aircraft and for additional Pre-Delivery Deposits as they become due.
 
     Interest on the Senior Notes began to accrue from their date of original
issuance and is payable semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of
each year, at the rate of 10 3/4% per annum. The Senior Notes are redeemable, in
whole or in part, at the option of the Company, on or after August 1, 2001, at
105.375%, 102.688% and 100.000% for the years 2001, 2002 and 2003 and
thereafter, respectively, plus accrued interest to the date of redemption. In
addition, at any time on or prior to August 1, 2000, the Company, at its option,
may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes
originally issued with the net cash proceeds of one or more public equity
offerings, at a redemption price equal to 110.75% of the principal amount
thereof plus accrued interest to the date of redemption; provided that at least
65% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes originally issued
remains outstanding immediately after any such redemption.
 
     The Senior Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company which
rank pari passu in right of payment to any existing and future unsecured senior
indebtedness of the Company. The Senior Notes are effectively subordinated,
however, to all secured indebtedness of the Company and to all indebtedness of
the Company's subsidiaries.
 
     Covenants with respect to the Senior Notes contain certain limitations on
the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to, among other things, incur
additional indebtedness, pay dividends or make certain other restricted
payments, consummate certain asset sales, enter into certain transactions with
affiliates, incur liens, create restrictions on the ability of a subsidiary to
pay dividends or make certain payments, sell or issue preferred stock of
subsidiaries to third parties, merge or consolidate with any other person or
sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company. The Company was in compliance
with all such covenants as of March 31, 1998.
 
9 1/4% SENIOR NOTES
 
     In April 1998, the Company consummated the offering of $175 million of
unsecured 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2008 (the Old Notes which are subject to the
Exchange Offer). The proceeds of the Offering will be used to repay $80 million
of the Aircraft Credit Facility and for general corporate purposes, which may
include the partial funding of the redemption of the Company's outstanding
12 1/4% Pass Through Certificates due 2002, which are subject to redemption at
the option of the Company on or after December 1, 1998. Interest on the Old
Notes is payable semi-annually on April 15 and October 15 of each year,
commencing October 15, 1998. The Old Notes are redeemable at the option of the
Company, in whole or in part, at any time on or after April 15, 2003, initially
at 104.625% of their principal amount, plus accrued interest, declining ratably
to 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued interest, on or after April 15,
2006. In addition, at any time prior to April 15, 2001, the Company may redeem
up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Old Notes originally issued
with the net cash proceeds of one or more public equity offerings at 109.25% of
their principal amount, plus accrued interest; provided that after any such
redemption at least $113.75 million aggregate principal amount of Old Notes
remains outstanding. The Old Notes represent unsubordinated indebtedness of the
Company, and rank pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future
unsubordinated
 
                                       46
<PAGE>   53
 
indebtedness of the Company and senior in right of payment to all subordinated
indebtedness of the Company. The Old Notes are effectively subordinated,
however, to all secured indebtedness of the Company and all existing and future
liabilities of the Company's subsidiaries. Covenants with respect to the Old
Notes contain certain limitations on the ability of the Company and its
subsidiaries to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, pay
dividends or make certain other restricted payments, consummate certain asset
sales, enter into certain transactions with affiliates, incur liens, create
restrictions on the ability of a subsidiary to pay dividends or make certain
payments, sell or issue preferred stock of subsidiaries to third parties, merge
or consolidate with any other person or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or
otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.
 
EQUIPMENT NOTES
 
     In November 1995, the Company issued $100 million of senior secured notes
due December 1, 2002 (the "Equipment Notes") through a pass through trust (the
"Pass Through Trust") formed with the sole purpose to hold the Equipment Notes.
Certificates (the "Pass Through Certificates") representing a fractional
undivided interest in the Pass Through Trust were issued concurrently with the
issuance of the Equipment Notes. The Equipment Notes bear interest at 12.25% per
annum with interest payment dates on June 1 and December 1. The Equipment Notes
are secured by three Boeing 747-200 aircraft (the "Equipment Note Aircraft")
fully modified to freighter configuration. The Company is required to provide
for the retirement of one third of the aggregate principal amount of the
Equipment Notes on December 1 in each of 2000 and 2001 through the operation of
a sinking fund at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount thereof,
together with accrued interest thereon to the redemption date. The Equipment
Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company on or
after December 1, 1998 at redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of the
principal amount) declining annually over a three-year period from 108.000% to
100.000%, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption
date. If a Change of Control (as defined therein) occurs, each holder of the
Pass Through Certificates has the right to require that the Company purchase
such holder's Pass Through Certificates, in whole or in part in integral
multiples of $1,000, in cash in an amount equal to 101% of the principal amount
of such Pass Through Certificates. If an Event of Loss (as defined therein)
occurs with respect to any of the Equipment Note Aircraft, the Company is
required to either redeem the Equipment Notes issued with respect to such
Equipment Note Aircraft, or provide a Substitute Collateral Aircraft (as defined
therein). The Equipment Notes are senior secured obligations of the Company and
rank pari passu in right of payment with all other existing and future senior
obligations of the Company and rank senior in right of payment to all
subordinated indebtedness of the Company. The indenture governing the Equipment
Notes contains covenants relating to the Equipment Note Aircraft which require
specific levels of insurance, as well as requirements regarding liens on and
possession, maintenance, and lease or transfer of the Equipment Note Aircraft.
In addition, the indenture contains certain covenants, including limitations on
the incurrence of debt, restricted payments, certain investments, transactions
with affiliates, asset sales and mergers and consolidations. The Company was in
compliance with all such covenants as of March 31, 1998.
 
ENHANCED EQUIPMENT TRUST CERTIFICATES
 
     In February 1998, the Company completed an offering of $538.9 million of
pass-through certificates, also known as enhanced equipment trust certificates.
The EETCs are not direct obligations of, or guaranteed by, the Company and
therefore will not be included in the Company's consolidated financial
statements. The cash proceeds from the transaction were deposited with an escrow
agent and will be used to finance (through either leveraged leases or secured
debt financings) a portion of the acquisition cost of the first five of the 10
new 747-400 freighter aircraft from Boeing scheduled to be delivered to the
Company during the period July 1998 through December 1998. In connection
therewith, the Company intends to seek certain owner participants who will
commit lease equity financing to be used in leveraged leases of such aircraft.
If any funds remain as deposits with the escrow agent for such EETCs at the end
of the delivery period, such funds will be distributed back to the
certificateholders. Such distribution will include a make-whole premium payable
by the Company. In November and December 1997, the Company entered into three
Treasury Note hedges, approximating $300 million of principal, for the purpose
of minimizing the risk associated with the fluctuations in interest
                                       47
<PAGE>   54
 
rates, which are the basis for the pricing of the EETCs which were priced in
January 1998. The effect of the hedge resulted in a deferred cost of $6.3
million, which will be amortized over the expected twenty-year life associated
with this financing. The EETCs issued in the Company's recent EETC financing are
not direct obligations of, or guaranteed by, the Company and therefore will not
be included in the Company's consolidated financial statements. If, at delivery
of an aircraft to which the EETCs relate, the Company does not enter into a
leveraged lease transaction in connection with any such aircraft, the Company
will take ownership of such aircraft and the corresponding EETCs will revert to
a direct obligation of the Company.
 
                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF EXCHANGE OFFER
 
     The Old Notes were sold by the Company on April 9, 1998 to the Initial
Purchaser, who placed the Old Notes with certain institutional investors. In
connection therewith, the Company and the Initial Purchaser entered into the
Registration Rights Agreement, pursuant to which the Company agreed, for the
benefit of the holders of the Old Notes, that the Company would, at its sole
cost, (i) within 60 days following the original issuance of the Old Notes, file
with the Commission the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (of which this
Prospectus is a part) under the Securities Act with respect to an issue of a
series of new notes of the Company identical in all material respects to the
series of Old Notes and (ii) use its best efforts to cause such Exchange Offer
Registration Statement to become effective under the Securities Act within 150
days following the original issuance of the Old Notes. Upon the effectiveness of
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (of which this Prospectus is a part),
the Company will offer to the holders of the Old Notes the opportunity to
exchange their Old Notes for a like principal amount of New Notes, to be issued
without a restrictive legend and which may be reoffered and resold by the holder
without restrictions or limitations under the Securities Act. The term "holder"
with respect to any Note means any person in whose name such Note is registered
on the books of the Company or any other person who has obtained a properly
completed bond power from the registered holder.
 
TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
   
     Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Prospectus
and in the accompanying Letter of Transmittal (which together constitute the
Exchange Offer), the Company will accept for exchange Old Notes that are
properly tendered on or prior to the Expiration Date and not withdrawn as
permitted below. As used herein, the term "Expiration Date" means 5:00 p.m., New
York City time, on October 9, 1998; provided, however, that if the Company, in
its sole discretion, has extended the period of time during which the Exchange
Offer is open, the term "Expiration Date" means the latest time and date to
which the Exchange Offer is extended.
    
 
   
     As of the date of this Prospectus, $175,000,000 aggregate principal amount
of Old Notes is outstanding. This Prospectus, together with the Letter of
Transmittal, is first being sent on or about September 9, 1998, to all holders
of Old Notes known to the Company. The Company's obligation to accept Old Notes
for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer is subject to certain customary
conditions as set forth below under "-- Certain Conditions to the Exchange
Offer."
    
 
     The Company expressly reserves the right, at any time and from time to
time, to extend the period of time during which the Exchange Offer is open, and
thereby to delay acceptance for exchange of any Old Notes, by giving oral or
written notice of such extension to the holders of the Old Notes as described
below. During any such extension, all Old Notes previously tendered will remain
subject to the Exchange Offer and may be accepted for exchange by the Company.
Any Old Notes not accepted for exchange for any reason will be returned without
expense to the tendering holders thereof as promptly as practicable after the
expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer.
 
     Old Notes tendered in the Exchange Offer must be in denominations of $1,000
or any integral multiple thereof.
 
                                       48
<PAGE>   55
 
     The Company expressly reserves the right to amend or terminate the Exchange
Offer, and not to accept for exchange any Old Notes not theretofore accepted for
exchange, upon the occurrence of any of the conditions to the Exchange Offer
specified below under "-- Certain Conditions to the Exchange Offer." The Company
will give oral or written notice of any extension, amendment, non-acceptance or
termination to the holders of the Old Notes as promptly as practicable, such
notice in the case of any extension to be issued by means of a press release or
other public announcement no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the
next business day after the previously scheduled Expiration Date.
 
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING OLD NOTES
 
     Only a registered holder of Old Notes may tender such Old Notes in the
Exchange Offer. The tender to the Company of Old Notes by a holder thereof as
set forth below and the acceptance thereof by the Company will constitute a
binding agreement between the tendering holder and the Company upon the terms
and subject to the conditions set forth in this Prospectus and in the
accompanying Letter of Transmittal. Except as set forth below, a holder who
wishes to tender Old Notes for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer must
transmit a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal, including
all other documents required by such Letter of Transmittal, to State Street Bank
& Trust Company (the "Exchange Agent") at one of the addresses set forth below
under "Exchange Agent" on or prior to the Expiration Date. In addition, either
(i) certificates for such Old Notes must be received by the Exchange Agent along
with the Letter of Transmittal, (ii) a timely confirmation of a book-entry
transfer (a "Book-Entry Confirmation") of such Old Notes, if such procedure is
available, into the Exchange Agent's account at The Depository Trust Company
(the "Book-Entry Transfer Facility") pursuant to the procedure for book-entry
transfer described below, must be received by the Exchange Agent prior to the
Expiration Date, or (iii) the holder must comply with the guaranteed delivery
procedures described below.
 
     THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF OLD NOTES, LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL OTHER
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF THE HOLDERS. IF SUCH DELIVERY
IS BY MAIL, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT REGISTERED MAIL, PROPERLY INSURED, WITH
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, BE USED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE
ALLOWED TO ASSURE TIMELY DELIVERY. NO LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL OR OLD NOTES SHOULD
BE SENT TO THE COMPANY. HOLDERS MAY REQUEST THEIR RESPECTIVE BROKERS, DEALERS,
COMMERCIAL BANKS, TRUST COMPANIES OR NOMINEES TO EFFECT THE ABOVE TRANSACTIONS
FOR SUCH HOLDERS.
 
     Any beneficial owner of Old Notes whose Old Notes are registered in the
name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company, or other nominee and
who wishes to tender such Old Notes in the Exchange Offer should contact the
registered holder promptly and instruct such registered holder to tender on such
beneficial owner's behalf. If such beneficial owner wishes to tender on its own
behalf, such owner must, prior to completing and executing the Letter of
Transmittal and delivering such beneficial owner's Old Notes, either make
appropriate arrangements to register ownership of such Old Notes in such
beneficial owner's name or obtain a properly completed bond power from the
registered holder. The transfer of registered ownership may take considerable
time.
 
     Signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal described
below (see "-- Withdrawal of Tenders"), as the case may be, must be guaranteed
(see "-- Guaranteed Delivery Procedures") unless the Old Notes surrendered for
exchange pursuant thereto are tendered (i) by a registered holder of the Old
Notes who has not completed the box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" or
"Special Delivery Instructions" on the Letter of Transmittal or (ii) for the
account of an Eligible Institution (as defined below). In the event that
signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case may
be, are required to be guaranteed, such guaranties must be by a financial
institution (including most banks, savings and loan associations and brokerage
houses) that is a participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion
Program, the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Program or the Stock Exchanges
Medallion Program (collectively, "Eligible Institutions"). If Old Notes are
registered in the name of a person other than a signer of the Letter of
Transmittal, the Old Notes surrendered for exchange must be endorsed by or be
accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer or exchange in
satisfactory form as determined by the Company in its
                                       49
<PAGE>   56
 
sole discretion, duly executed by the registered holder exactly as the name or
names of the registered holder or holders appear on the Old Notes with the
signature thereon guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
 
     All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt) and acceptance of Old Notes tendered for exchange will be determined by
the Company in its sole discretion, which determination shall be final and
binding. The Company reserves the absolute right to reject any and all tenders
of any particular Old Notes not properly tendered or not to accept any
particular Old Notes not properly tendered or the acceptance of which might, in
the judgment of the Company or its counsel, be unlawful. The Company also
reserves the absolute right to waive any defects or irregularities or conditions
of the Exchange Offer as to any particular Old Notes either before or after the
Expiration Date (including the right to waive the ineligibility of any holder
who seeks to tender Old Notes in the Exchange Offer). The interpretation by the
Company of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer as to any particular
Old Notes either before or after the Expiration Date (including the Letter of
Transmittal and the instructions thereto) shall be final and binding on all
parties. Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders
of Old Notes for exchange must be cured within such reasonable period of time as
the Company shall determine. None of the Company, the Exchange Agent or any
other person shall be under any duty to give notification of any defect or
irregularity with respect to any tender of Old Notes for exchange, nor shall any
of them incur any liability for failure to give such notification.
 
     If the Letter of Transmittal or any Old Notes or powers of attorney are
signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact,
officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative
capacity, such person should so indicate when signing, and, unless waived by the
Company, proper evidence satisfactory to the Company of their authority to so
act must be submitted with the Letter of Transmittal.
 
     By tendering Old Notes for exchange, each holder will represent to the
Company that, among other things, the New Notes acquired pursuant to the
Exchange Offer are being acquired in the ordinary course of business of the
person receiving such New Notes, whether or not such person is the holder, and
that neither the holder nor such other person has any arrangement or
understanding with any person to engage or participate in a distribution of the
New Notes. If any holder or any such other person is an "affiliate," as defined
under Rule 405 of the Securities Act, of the Company or is engaged in or intends
to engage in, or has an arrangement or understanding with any person to
participate in, a distribution of such New Notes to be acquired pursuant to the
Exchange Offer, such holder or any such other person (i) may not rely on the
applicable interpretation of the staff of the Commission and (ii) must comply
with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act
in connection with any resale transaction. Each broker-dealer that receives New
Notes for its own account in exchange for Old Notes, where such Old Notes were
acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other
trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of such New Notes. See "Plan of Distribution." The
Letter of Transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a
prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
 
ACCEPTANCE OF OLD NOTES FOR EXCHANGE; DELIVERY OF NEW NOTES
 
     Upon satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions to the Exchange Offer,
the Company will accept, promptly after the Expiration Date, all Old Notes
properly tendered and will issue the New Notes promptly after acceptance of the
Old Notes. See "-- Certain Conditions to the Exchange Offer" below. For purposes
of the Exchange Offer, the Company will be deemed to have accepted properly
tendered Old Notes for exchange when, as and if the Company has given oral or
written notice thereof to the Exchange Agent.
 
     For each Old Note accepted for exchange, the holder of such Old Note will
receive a New Note having a principal amount equal to that of the surrendered
Old Note. Accordingly, registered holders of New Notes on the relevant record
date for the first interest payment date following the consummation of the
Exchange Offer will receive interest accruing from the most recent date to which
interest has been paid on the Old Notes or, if no interest has been paid, from
April 9, 1998. Old Notes accepted for exchange will cease to accrue interest
from and after the date of consummation of the Exchange Offer. Holders whose Old
Notes are accepted for
 
                                       50
<PAGE>   57
 
exchange will not receive any payment in respect of accrued interest on such Old
Notes otherwise payable on any interest payment date for which the record date
occurs on or after consummation of the Exchange Offer. Old Notes not tendered or
not accepted for exchange will continue to accrue interest from and after the
date of consummation of the Exchange Offer.
 
     In all cases, issuance of New Notes for Old Notes that are accepted for
exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be made only after timely receipt
by the Exchange Agent of certificates for such Old Notes or a timely Book-Entry
Confirmation of such Old Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at the
Book-Entry Transfer Facility, a properly completed and duly executed Letter of
Transmittal and all other required documents. If any tendered Old Notes are not
accepted for any reason set forth in the terms and conditions of the Exchange
Offer or if Old Notes are submitted for a greater principal amount than the
holder desires to exchange, such unaccepted or non-exchanged Old Notes will be
returned without expense to the tendering holder thereof or, in the case of Old
Notes tendered by book-entry transfer into the Exchange Agent's account at the
Book-Entry Transfer Facility pursuant to the book-entry procedures described
below, and any financial institution that is a participant in the Book-Entry
Transfer Facility's systems may make book-entry delivery of Old Notes by causing
the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to transfer such Old Notes into the Exchange
Agent's account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility in accordance with such
Book-Entry Transfer Facility's procedures for transfer. However, although
delivery of Old Notes may be effected through book-entry transfer at the
Book-Entry Transfer Facility, the Letter of Transmittal or a facsimile thereof,
with any required signature guarantees and any other required documents, must in
any case, be transmitted to and received by the Exchange Agent at the addresses
set forth below under "-- Exchange Agent" on or prior to the Expiration Date or
the guaranteed delivery procedures described below must be complied with.
 
GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES
 
     If a registered holder of the Old Notes desires to tender such Old Notes
and the Old Notes are not immediately available, or time will not permit such
holder's Old Notes or other required documents to reach the Exchange Agent
before the Expiration Date, or the procedure for book-entry transfer cannot be
completed on a timely basis, a tender may be effected if (i) the tender is made
through an Eligible Institution, (ii) on or prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City
time, on the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent receives from such Eligible
Institution a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or a
facsimile thereof) and Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the form
provided by the Company (by telegram, telex, facsimile transmission, mail or
hand delivery), setting forth the name and address of the holder of the Old
Notes and the amount of Old Notes tendered, stating that the tender is being
made thereby and guaranteeing that within three New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE")
trading days after the date of execution of the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery,
the certificates for all physically tendered Old Notes, in proper form for
transfer, or a Book-Entry Confirmation, as the case may be, and any other
documents required by the Letter of Transmittal will be deposited by the
Eligible Institution with the Exchange Agent, and (iii) the certificates for all
physically tendered Old Notes, in paper form for transfer, or a Book-Entry
Confirmation, as the case may be, and any other documents required by the Letter
of Transmittal will be deposited by the Eligible Institution within three NYSE
trading days after the date of execution of the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
 
WITHDRAWAL OF TENDERS
 
     Tenders of Old Notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 P.M., New
York City time, on the Expiration Date. For a withdrawal to be effective, a
written notice of withdrawal must be received by the Exchange Agent at one of
the addresses set forth below under "-- Exchange Agent." Any such notice of
withdrawal must specify the name of the person having tendered the Old Notes to
be withdrawn, identify the Old Notes to be withdrawn (including the principal
amount of such Old Notes), and (where certificates for Old Notes have been
transmitted) specify the name in which such Old Notes are registered, if
different from that of the withdrawing holder. If certificates for Old Notes
have been delivered or otherwise identified to the Exchange Agent, then prior to
the release of such certificates the withdrawing holder must also submit the
serial numbers of the particular certificates to be withdrawn and a signed
notice of withdrawal with signatures guaranteed by an Eligible Institution
unless such holder is an Eligible Institution in which case such guarantee
 
                                       51
<PAGE>   58
 
will not be required. If Old Notes have been tendered pursuant to the procedure
for book-entry transfer described above, any notice of withdrawal must specify
the name and number of the account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to be
credited with the withdrawn Old Notes and otherwise comply with the procedures
of such facility. All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility
(including time of receipt) of such notices will be determined by the Company,
whose determination will be final and binding on all parties. Any Old Notes so
withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for exchange for
purposes of the Exchange Offer. Any Old Notes which have been tendered for
exchange but which are not exchanged for any reason will be returned to the
holder thereof without cost to such holder (or, in the case of Old Notes
tendered by book-entry transfer into the Exchange Agent's account at the
Book-Entry Transfer Facility pursuant to the book-entry transfer procedures
described above, such Old Notes will be credited to an account maintained with
such Book-Entry Transfer Facility for the Old Notes) as soon as practicable
after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the Exchange Offer.
Properly withdrawn Old Notes may be retendered by following one of the
procedures described under "-- Procedures for Tendering Old Notes" above at any
time on or prior to the Expiration Date.
 
CERTAIN CONDITIONS TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
     Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Exchange Offer, and subject to
its obligations pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company shall
not be required to accept for exchange, or to issue New Notes in exchange for,
any Old Notes, and may terminate or amend the Exchange Offer, if, at any time
before the acceptance of such New Notes for exchange, any of the following
events shall occur:
 
          (a) any injunction, order or decree shall have been issued by any
     court or any governmental agency that would prohibit, prevent or otherwise
     materially impair the ability of the Company to proceed with the Exchange
     Offer; or
 
          (b) any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in
     the business or financial affairs of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
     has occurred which, in the sole judgment of the Company, might materially
     impair the ability of the Company to proceed with the Exchange Offer or
     materially impair the contemplated benefits of the Exchange Offer to the
     Company;
 
          (c) any law, statute, rule or regulation is proposed, adopted or
     enacted, which, in the sole judgment of the Company, might materially
     impair the ability of the Company to proceed with the Exchange Offer or
     materially impair the contemplated benefits of the Exchange Offer to the
     Company;
 
          (d) any governmental approval has not been obtained, which approval
     the Company shall, in its sole discretion, deem necessary for the
     consummation of the Exchange Offer as contemplated hereby.
 
          (e) the Exchange Offer will violate any applicable law or any
     applicable interpretation of the staff of the Commission.
 
     The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of the Company and may be
asserted by the Company in whole or in part at any time and from time to time in
its sole discretion. The failure by the Company at any time to exercise any of
the foregoing rights shall not be deemed a waiver of any such right and such
right shall be deemed an ongoing right which may be asserted at any time and
from time to time.
 
     In addition, the Company will not accept for exchange any Old Notes
tendered, and no New Notes will be issued in exchange for any such Old Notes, if
at such time any stop order is threatened by the Commission or in effect with
respect to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part or the
qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended.
 
     The Exchange Offer is not conditioned on any minimum principal amount of
Old Notes being tendered for exchange.
 
                                       52
<PAGE>   59
 
EXCHANGE AGENT
 
     The State Street Bank & Trust Company has been appointed as the Exchange
Agent for the Exchange Offer. All executed Letters of Transmittal should be
directed to the Exchange Agent at one of the addresses set forth below.
Questions and requests for assistance, requests for additional copies of this
Prospectus or of the Letter of Transmittal and requests or Notices of Guaranteed
Delivery should be directed to the Exchange Agent addressed as follows:
 
                       State Street Bank & Trust Company,
                                 Exchange Agent
 
                        By Registered or Certified Mail:
 
                      State Street Bank and Trust Company
                                  P.O. Box 778
                          Boston, Massachusetts 02102
                     Attention: Corporate Trust Department
                                 Kellie Mullen
 
                         By Hand or Overnight Courier:
                      State Street Bank and Trust Company
                            Two International Place
                          Boston, Massachusetts 02110
                     Attention: Corporate Trust Department
                                 Kellie Mullen
 
                               By Hand: in Boston
 
                      State Street Bank and Trust Company
                            Two International Plaza
                         Fourth Floor, Corporate Trust
                          Boston, Massachusetts 02110
 
                          By Hand or Overnight Courier
                          in New York (as Drop Agent)
 
                   State Street Bank and Trust Company, N.A.
                                  61 Broadway
                    Fifteenth Floor, Corporate Trust Window
                            New York, New York 10006
 
                             Confirm by Telephone:
 
                                 (617) 664-5587
 
     DELIVERY OF THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH
ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION OF INSTRUCTIONS VIA FACSIMILE OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH
ABOVE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY OF SUCH LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
 
RESALES OF THE NEW NOTES
 
     Based on positions of the Commission set forth in Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated (available June 5, 1991) and Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation
(available July 2, 1993) and K-III Communications Corporation (available May 14,
1993), and similar no-action letters issued to third parties, the Company
believes that the New Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer to a holder in
exchange for Old Notes may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise
transferred by any holder thereof (other than such holder which is an
"affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities
Act) without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions
of the Securities Act, provided that such New Notes
 
                                       53
<PAGE>   60
 
are acquired in the ordinary course of such holder's business and such holder is
not participating, does not intend to participate and has no arrangement or
understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of such New
Notes. The Company has not requested or obtained, and does not intend to seek,
an interpretive letter from the staff of the Commission with respect to this
Exchange Offer, and the Company and the holders are not entitled to rely on
interpretive advice provided by the staff of the Commission to other persons,
which advice was based on the facts and conditions represented in such letters.
Although there can be no assurance that the staff of the Commission would make a
similar determination with respect to the Exchange Offer, the Exchange Offer is
being conducted in a manner intended to be consistent with the facts and
conditions represented in such letters. If any holder acquires New Notes in the
Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing or participating in a
distribution of the New Notes, such holder cannot rely on the position of the
staff of the Commission set forth in the above no-action and interpretive
letters and must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a secondary resale
transaction, unless an exemption from registration is otherwise available.
 
     Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own account pursuant to
the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of such New Notes. This Prospectus, as it may be
amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in
connection with resales of New Notes received in exchange for Old Notes where
such Old Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities (other than Old Notes acquired directly
from the Company). The Company has agreed that, for a period of 180 days
following the consummation of the Exchange Offer, it will make this Prospectus
available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. See
"Plan of Distribution." Under the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company is
required to allow such broker-dealers and other persons, if any, subject to
similar prospectus delivery requirements to use this Prospectus in connection
with the resale of such New Notes.
 
FEES AND EXPENSES
 
     The expenses of soliciting tenders will be borne by the Company. The
principal solicitation is being made by mail; however, additional solicitation
may be made by telegraph, telephone or in person by officers and regular
employees of the Company and its affiliates.
 
     The Company has not retained any dealer-manager in connection with the
Exchange Offer and will not make any payments to brokers, dealers or others
soliciting acceptances of the Exchange Offer. The Company, however, will pay the
Exchange Agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and will reimburse
it for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection therewith.
 
     The cash expenses to be incurred in connection with the Exchange Offer will
be paid by the Company. Such expenses include fees and expenses of the Exchange
Agent and Trustee, accounting and legal fees and printing costs, among others.
 
     The Company will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the exchange
of Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. If, however, certificates
representing New Notes or Old Notes for principal amounts not tendered or
accepted for exchange are to be delivered to, or are to be issued in the name
of, any person other than the registered holder of the Old Notes tendered, or if
tendered Old Notes are registered in the name of any person other than the
person signing the Letter of Transmittal, or if a transfer tax is imposed for
any reason other than the exchange of Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer,
then the amount of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered
holder or any other person) will be payable by the tendering holder. If
satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not
submitted with the Letter of Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes must
accompany the tender of Old Notes.
 
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
 
     The New Notes will be recorded at the same carrying value as the Old Notes,
which is the principal amount as reflected in the Company's accounting records
on the date of the exchange. Accordingly, no gain or loss for accounting
purposes will be recognized by the Company. The expenses of the Exchange Offer
and the
 
                                       54
<PAGE>   61
 
unamortized expenses related to the issuance of the Old Notes will be amortized
over the term of the New Notes.
 
REGULATORY APPROVALS
 
     The Company does not believe that the receipt of any material federal or
state regulatory approvals will be necessary in connection with the Exchange
Offer.
 
TRANSFER TAXES
 
     Holders who tender their Old Notes for exchange will not be obligated to
pay any transfer taxes in connection therewith, except that holders who instruct
the Company to register New Notes in the name of, or request that Old Notes not
tendered or not accepted in the Exchange Offer be returned to, a person other
than the registered tendering holder will be responsible for the payment of any
applicable transfer tax thereon.
 
OTHER
 
     Participation in the Exchange Offer is voluntary and holders of Old Notes
should carefully consider whether to accept the terms and conditions thereof.
Holder of the Old Notes are urged to consult their financial and tax advisors in
making their own decisions on what action to take with respect to the Exchange
Offer.
 
     As a result of the making of, and upon acceptance for exchange of all
validly tendered Old Notes pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Offer, the
Company will have fulfilled a covenant contained in the terms of the Old Notes
and the Registration Rights Agreement. Holders of the Old Notes who do not
tender their Old Notes in the Exchange Offer will continue to hold such Old
Notes and will be entitled to all the rights, and limitations applicable
thereto, under the Indenture, except for such rights under the Registration
Rights Agreement (including rights to receive Additional Interest) which by
their terms terminate or cease to have further effect as a result of the making
and consummation of the Exchange Offer. All untendered Old Notes will continue
to be subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in the Indenture and the
Company does not currently anticipate that it will register the Old Notes under
the Securities Act. To the extent that Old Notes are tendered and accepted in
the Exchange Offer, the trading market, if any, for any remaining Old Notes
could be adversely affected. See "Risk Factors -- Consequences of Failure to
Exchange."
 
                                       55
<PAGE>   62
 
                              DESCRIPTION OF NOTES
 
GENERAL
 
     The Old Notes were, and the New Notes will be, issued under an Indenture,
to be dated as of April 9, 1998 (the "Indenture"), among the Company and State
Street Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee (the "Trustee"). The terms of the New
Notes are identical in all material respects to the Old Notes, except that the
New Notes have been registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, will
note bear legends restricting their transfer and will not contain certain
provisions providing for an increase in interest thereon under certain
circumstances described in the Registration Rights Agreement, the provisions of
which will terminate upon the consummation of the Exchange Offer. The following
summary of certain provisions of the Indenture and the Notes does not purport to
be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to,
all the provisions of the Indenture (including the definitions of certain terms
therein and those terms made a part thereof by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939,
as amended) and the Notes.
 
     Principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes will be payable,
and the Notes may be exchanged or transferred, at the office or agency of the
Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York (which initially shall
be the corporate trust office of the Trustee in New York, New York), except
that, at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by check
mailed to the address of the holders as such address appears in the Note
register. Initially, the Trustee will act as Paying Agent and Registrar for the
Notes. The Notes may be presented for registration of transfer and exchange at
the offices of the Registrar, which initially will be the Trustee's corporate
trust office. The Company may change any Paying Agent and Registrar without
notice to holders of the Notes.
 
     The Notes will be issued only in fully registered form, without coupons, in
denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000. No service charge
will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes, but the
Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or
other similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
 
PRINCIPAL, MATURITY AND INTEREST
 
     The Notes will be unsecured, senior obligations of the Company, limited to
$175.0 million aggregate principal amount, and will mature on April 15, 2008.
Each Note will bear interest at the rate of 9 1/4% per annum from the date of
issuance, or from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or
provided for, and will be payable semiannually on April 15 and October 15 of
each year commencing on October 15, 1998 to holders of record at the close of
business on the April 1 or October 1 immediately preceding the interest payment
date. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of
twelve 30-day months. The Notes will not be entitled to the benefit of any
mandatory sinking fund.
 
REDEMPTION
 
     Optional Redemption. Except as set forth below, the Notes will not be
redeemable at the option of the Company prior to April 15, 2003. On and after
such date, the Notes will be redeemable, at the Company's option, in whole or in
part, at any time upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice
mailed by first-class mail to each holder's registered address, at the following
redemption prices (expressed in percentages of principal amount), if redeemed
during the 12-month period commencing on April 15 of the years set forth below,
plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of
holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the
relevant interest payment date):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             REDEMPTION
YEAR                                                           PRICE
- ----                                                         ----------
<S>                                                          <C>
2003.......................................................   104.625%
2004.......................................................   103.083%
2005.......................................................   101.542%
2006 and thereafter........................................   100.000%
</TABLE>
 
                                       56
<PAGE>   63
 
     Optional Redemption Upon Public Offerings. In addition, at any time on or
prior to April 15, 2001, the Company, at its option, may redeem up to 35% of the
aggregate principal amount of the Notes originally issued with the net cash
proceeds of one or more Public Equity Offerings at a redemption price equal to
109.25% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest
thereon, if any, to the date of redemption; provided, however, that after any
such redemption the aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding must
equal at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes originally
issued. In order to effect the foregoing redemption with the proceeds of any
Public Equity Offering, the Company shall make such redemption not more than 60
days after the consummation of any such Public Equity Offering.
 
     As used in the preceding paragraph, "Public Equity Offering" means an
underwritten primary public offering of Qualified Capital Stock of the Company
pursuant to a registration statement filed with the Commission in accordance
with the Securities Act.
 
SELECTION AND NOTICE OF REDEMPTION
 
     In the case of any partial redemption, selection of the Notes for
redemption will be made by the Trustee in compliance with the requirements of
the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which such Notes are
listed, or if such Notes are not then listed on a national securities exchange,
on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee in its sole
discretion shall deem to be fair and appropriate; provided, however, that if a
partial redemption is made with the proceeds of a Public Equity Offering,
selection of the Notes or portion thereof for redemption shall be made by the
Trustee only on a pro rata basis, unless such method is otherwise prohibited.
Notes may be redeemed in part in multiples of $1,000 principal amount only.
Notice of redemption will be sent, by first class mail, postage prepaid, at
least 30 but not more than 60 days (unless a shorter period is acceptable to the
Trustee) prior to the date fixed for redemption to each holder whose Notes are
to be redeemed at the last address for such holder then shown on the registry
books. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that
relates to such Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to
be redeemed. A new Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion
thereof will be issued in the name of the holder thereof upon cancellation of
the original Note. On and after any redemption date, interest will cease to
accrue on the Notes or part thereof called for redemption as long as the Company
has deposited with the Paying Agent funds in satisfaction of the redemption
price pursuant to the Indenture.
 
RANKING
 
     The Notes will be senior unsecured obligations of the Company and will rank
pari passu in right of payment with all other existing and future senior
obligations of the Company. The Notes, however, will be effectively subordinated
to secured senior obligations of the Company with respect to the assets securing
such obligations. The Notes also will be effectively subordinated to all
existing and future liabilities of the Company's subsidiaries. As of December
31, 1997, after giving pro forma effect to the Offering and the application of
the proceeds therefrom, the Company's total indebtedness outstanding would have
been approximately $485.8 million, of which approximately $160.4 million would
have been secured indebtedness, and the Company's subsidiaries would have had
liabilities of approximately $388.5 million. Subject to certain limitations, the
Company and its subsidiaries may incur additional indebtedness in the future.
 
CHANGE OF CONTROL
 
     If a Change of Control shall occur at any time, then each holder of Notes
shall have the right to require that the Company purchase such holder's Notes,
in whole or in part in integral multiples of $1,000, at a purchase price (the
"Change of Control Purchase Price") in cash in an amount equal to 101% of the
principal amount of such Notes, plus accrued interest, if any, to the date of
purchase (the "Change of Control Purchase Date"), pursuant to the offer
described below (the "Change of Control Offer") and the other procedures set
forth in the Indenture.
 
     Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company shall notify
the Trustee thereof and give written notice of such Change of Control to each
holder of Notes by first-class mail, postage prepaid, at the
 
                                       57
<PAGE>   64
 
address of such holder shown on the security register, stating, among other
things, (i) the purchase price and the purchase date, which shall be a Business
Day no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is
mailed, or such later date as is necessary to comply with requirements under the
Exchange Act; (ii) that any Notes not tendered will continue to accrue interest;
(iii) that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the purchase price,
any Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer shall
cease to accrue interest after the Change of Control Purchase Date; and (iv)
certain other procedures that a holder of Notes must follow to accept a Change
of Control Offer or to withdraw such acceptance.
 
     If a Change of Control Offer is made, there can be no assurance that the
Company will have available funds sufficient to pay the Change of Control
Purchase Price for all of the Notes that might be delivered by holders of the
Notes seeking to accept the Change of Control Offer. In the event the Company is
required to purchase outstanding Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer,
the Company may seek third party financing to the extent it does not have
available funds to meet its purchase obligations. However, there can be no
assurance that the Company would be able to obtain such financing. The failure
of the Company to make or consummate the Change of Control Offer or pay the
Change of Control Purchase Price when due would result in an Event of Default
and would give the Trustee and the holders of the Notes the rights described
under "-- Events of Default."
 
     One of the events which constitutes a Change of Control under the Indenture
is the disposition of "all or substantially all" of the Company's assets. This
term has not been interpreted under New York law (which is the governing law of
the Indenture) to represent a specific quantitative test. As a consequence, in
the event holders of the Notes elect to require the Company to purchase the
Notes and the Company elects to contest such election, there can be no assurance
as to how a court interpreting New York law would interpret the phrase.
 
     The existence of a holder's right to require the Company to purchase such
holder's Notes upon a Change of Control may deter a third party from acquiring
the Company in a transaction which constitutes a Change of Control.
 
     The definition of "Change of Control" in the Indenture is limited in scope.
The provisions of the Indenture may not afford holders of Notes the right to
require the Company to purchase such Notes in the event of a highly leveraged
transaction or certain transactions with the Company's management or its
affiliates, including a reorganization, restructuring, merger or similar
transaction involving the Company (including, in certain circumstances, an
acquisition of the Company by management or its affiliates) that may adversely
affect holders of the Notes, if such transaction is not a transaction defined as
a Change of Control. See "-- Certain Definitions" for the definition of "Change
of Control." A transaction involving the Company's management or its affiliates,
or a transaction involving a recapitalization of the Company, would only result
in a Change of Control if it is the type of transaction specified by such
definition.
 
     The Company will comply with the applicable tender offer rules, including
Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, in connection with a Change of Control Offer
and shall not be deemed in violation of this covenant by reason of any action
required to be taken to effect such compliance.
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS
 
     The Indenture will contain, among others, the following covenants:
 
     Limitation on Incurrence of Additional Indebtedness. (a) The Company will
not create, issue, assume, guarantee or in any manner become directly or
indirectly liable for the payment of, or otherwise incur (collectively,
"incur"), any Indebtedness (including any Acquired Indebtedness) other than
Permitted Indebtedness unless, at the time of any such incurrence, the
Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio would have been at least equal to 2.75
to 1.0 (after giving pro forma effect to (i) the incurrence of such Indebtedness
and (if applicable) the application of the net proceeds therefrom, including to
refinance other Indebtedness, as if such Indebtedness was incurred and the
application of such proceeds occurred on the first day of the period for which
the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is calculated, (ii) the incurrence,
repayment or retirement of any other Indebtedness by the Company or any
Subsidiary since the first day of
 
                                       58
<PAGE>   65
 
such period as if such Indebtedness was incurred, repaid or retired at the
beginning of such period (except that, in making such computation, the amount of
Indebtedness under any revolving credit facility shall be computed based upon
the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during such period) and (iii) the
acquisition (whether by purchase, merger or otherwise) or disposition (whether
by sale, merger or otherwise) of any company, entity or business acquired or
disposed of by the Company or any Subsidiary or ACMI Contracted Aircraft
acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary, in any such case, since the first day
of such period, as if such acquisition or disposition of a company, entity or
business, or such acquisition of an ACMI Contracted Aircraft acquired by the
Company or any Subsidiary, in any such case, since the first day of such period,
as if such acquisition or disposition of a company, entity or business, or such
acquisition of an ACMI Contracted Aircraft occurred at the beginning of such
period; provided, however, that pro forma effect shall not be given to a number
of ACMI Contracted Aircraft exceeding five in any four fiscal quarters.
 
     (b) The Company will not permit any Subsidiary to incur any Indebtedness
(including any Acquired Indebtedness) other than Permitted Subsidiary
Indebtedness.
 
     Limitation on Restricted Payments. (a) The Company will not, and will not
permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly:
 
          (i) declare or pay any dividend on, or make any distribution to
     holders of, any shares of the Capital Stock of the Company (other than
     dividends or distributions payable solely in shares of its Qualified
     Capital Stock or in options, warrants or other rights to acquire such
     shares of Qualified Capital Stock);
 
          (ii) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value,
     directly or indirectly, any shares of Capital Stock of the Company or any
     Subsidiary or any Affiliate of the Company, or any options, warrants or
     other rights to acquire such shares of Capital Stock;
 
          (iii) make any principal payment on, or repurchase, redeem, defease or
     otherwise acquire or retire for value, prior to any scheduled principal
     payment, sinking fund payment or maturity, any Subordinated Indebtedness;
     or
 
          (iv) make any Investment (other than any Permitted Investment) in any
     Person
 
(such payments or any other actions described in (but not excluded from) clauses
(i) through (iv) are collectively referred to as "Restricted Payments"), unless
at the time of, and immediately after giving effect on a pro forma basis to, the
proposed Restricted Payment (the amount of any such Restricted Payment, if other
than cash, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose
determination shall be conclusive and evidenced by a Board Resolution), (1) no
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (2) the
Company could incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness (other than
Permitted Indebtedness) in accordance with the provisions described under
"-- Certain Covenants -- Limitation on Incurrence of Additional Indebtedness"
and (3) the aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments declared or made after
the Issue Date shall not exceed the sum of:
 
          (A) 50% of the aggregate cumulative Consolidated Adjusted Net Income
     of the Company accrued on a cumulative basis during the period beginning on
     July 1, 1997 and ending on the last day of the Company's last fiscal
     quarter ending prior to the date of such proposed Restricted Payment (or,
     if such aggregate cumulative Consolidated Adjusted Net Income shall be a
     loss, minus 100% of such amount), plus
 
          (B) 100% of the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received after the Issue
     Date by the Company from the issuance or sale (other than to any
     Subsidiary) of shares of Qualified Capital Stock of the Company or
     warrants, options or rights to purchase such shares of Qualified Capital
     Stock of the Company, plus
 
          (C) 100% of the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received after the Issue
     Date by the Company from the issuance or sale (other than to any
     Subsidiary) of debt securities or Redeemable Capital Stock that have been
     converted into or exchanged for Qualified Capital Stock of the Company to
     the extent such securities were originally sold for cash, together with the
     aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company at the time of such
     conversion or exchange, plus
 
                                       59
<PAGE>   66
 
          (D) to the extent not otherwise included in the Consolidated Adjusted
     Net Income of the Company, an amount equal to the net reduction in
     Investments (other than reductions in Permitted Investments) in any Person
     resulting from payments in cash of interest on Indebtedness, dividends,
     repayments of loans or advances, or other returns of capital, in each case
     to the Company or a Subsidiary after the date of the Indenture from any
     such Person not to exceed the amount of Investments (other than Permitted
     Investments) in such Persons by the Company and its Subsidiaries, plus
 
          (E) $10 million, plus
 
          (F) without duplication, the sum of (1) the aggregate amount returned
     in cash on or with respect to Investments (other than Permitted
     Investments) made subsequent to the Issue Date whether through interest
     payments, principal payments, dividends or other distributions or payments,
     (2) the net cash proceeds received by the Company or any Subsidiary from
     the disposition of all or any portion of such Investments (other than to a
     Subsidiary of the Company) and (3) upon redesignation of an Unrestricted
     Subsidiary as a Subsidiary, the fair market value of such Subsidiary;
     provided, however, that with respect to all Investments made in any
     Unrestricted Subsidiary or joint venture, the sum of clauses (1), (2) and
     (3) above with respect to such Investment shall not exceed the aggregate
     amount of all such Investments made subsequent to the Issue Date in such
     Unrestricted Subsidiary or joint venture.
 
     (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) above, the Company and any Subsidiary may
take the following actions so long as (with respect to clauses (ii), (iii),
(iv), (v), (vi) and (vii), below) no Default or Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing:
 
          (i) the payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of
     declaration thereof, if at such date of declaration the payment of such
     dividend would have complied with the provisions of paragraph (a) above and
     such payment shall be deemed to have been paid on such date of declaration
     for purposes of the calculation required by paragraph (a) above;
 
          (ii) the purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for
     value of any shares of Capital Stock of the Company or any warrants, rights
     or options to acquire shares of Capital Stock, in exchange for, or out of
     the Net Cash Proceeds of a substantially concurrent issuance and sale
     (other than to a Subsidiary) of, shares of Qualified Capital Stock of the
     Company;
 
          (iii) the purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or
     retirement for value of any Subordinated Indebtedness or Redeemable Capital
     Stock in exchange for, or out of the Net Cash Proceeds of a substantially
     concurrent issuance and sale (other than to a Subsidiary) of, shares of
     Qualified Capital Stock of the Company;
 
          (iv) the purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or
     retirement for value of Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company in
     exchange for, or out of the Net Cash Proceeds of a substantially concurrent
     incurrence or sale (other than to a Subsidiary) of, new Subordinated
     Indebtedness of the Company so long as (A) the principal amount of such new
     Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or, if such Subordinated
     Indebtedness being refinanced provides for an amount less than the
     principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of
     acceleration thereof, such lesser amount as of the date of determination)
     of the Subordinated Indebtedness being so purchased, redeemed, defeased,
     acquired or retired, (B) such new Subordinated Indebtedness is subordinated
     to the Notes to the same extent as such Subordinated Indebtedness so
     purchased, redeemed, defeased, acquired or retired and (C) such new
     Subordinated Indebtedness does not have a scheduled principal payment
     earlier than the final maturity of the Notes;
 
          (v) the purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for
     value of shares of Capital Stock of the Company held by any future, present
     or former employee or director of the Company or any Subsidiary issued
     pursuant to any management equity or stock option plan of the Company;
     provided that the aggregate consideration paid by the Company for such
     shares so purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired or retired for value
     does not exceed $2.5 million in any fiscal year of the Company;
 
                                       60
<PAGE>   67
 
          (vi) the making of any Investment (other than a Permitted Investment)
     out of the Net Cash Proceeds of the substantially concurrent issuance and
     sale (other than to a Subsidiary) of Qualified Capital Stock of the
     Company; and
 
          (vii) the making of Investments in an aggregate amount not to exceed
     $50,000,000 in wholly-owned Unrestricted Subsidiaries to own and lease ACMI
     Contracted Aircraft or other flight equipment utilized in the normal course
     of business of the Company.
 
     The actions described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (v) and (vi) of this
paragraph (b) shall be Restricted Payments that shall be permitted to be taken
in accordance with this paragraph (b) but shall reduce the amount that would
otherwise be available for Restricted Payments under clause (3) of paragraph (a)
and the actions described in clause (iv) and (vii) of this paragraph (b) shall
be Restricted Payments that shall be permitted to be taken in accordance with
this paragraph and shall not reduce the amount that would otherwise be available
for Restricted Payments under clause (3) of paragraph (a) above.
 
     (c) In computing Consolidated Adjusted Net Income of the Company under
paragraph (a) above, (1) the Company shall use audited financial statements for
the portions of the relevant period for which audited financial statements are
available on the date of determination and unaudited financial statements and
other current financial data based on the books and records of the Company for
the remaining portion of such period and (2) the Company shall be permitted to
rely in good faith on the financial statements and other financial data derived
from the books and records of the Company that are available on the date of
determination. If the Company makes a Restricted Payment which, at the time of
the making of such Restricted Payment would in the good faith determination of
the Company be permitted under the requirements of the Indenture, such
Restricted Payment shall be deemed to have been made in compliance with the
Indenture notwithstanding any subsequent adjustments made in good faith to the
Company's financial statements affecting Consolidated Adjusted Net Income of the
Company for any period.
 
     Limitation on Issuances and Sales of Capital Stock of Subsidiaries. The
Company (a) will not permit any Subsidiary to issue any Capital Stock (other
than to the Company or a Subsidiary) and (b) will not permit any Person (other
than the Company or a Subsidiary) to own any Capital Stock of any Subsidiary;
provided, however, that this covenant shall not prohibit (i) the issuance and
sale of all, but not less than all, of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock
of any Subsidiary owned by the Company or any Subsidiary in compliance with the
other provisions of the Indenture or (ii) the ownership by directors of
director's qualifying shares or the ownership by foreign nationals of Capital
Stock of any Subsidiary, to the extent mandated by applicable law.
 
     Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates. The Company will not, and will
not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into or suffer to
exist any transaction or series of related transactions (including, without
limitation, the sale, purchase, exchange or lease of assets, property or
services) with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company or any
Subsidiary unless (i) such transaction or series of related transactions is
between and among the Company and wholly owned Subsidiaries or (ii)(A) such
transaction or series of related transactions is on terms that are no less
favorable to the Company, or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those
that could have been obtained in an arm's-length transaction with unrelated
third parties; (B) the Company shall have delivered an officer's certificate to
the Trustee certifying that such transaction or series of related transactions
complies with clause (A); (C) if such transaction or series of related
transactions involves consideration of more than $3 million the Board of
Directors (including a majority of the Disinterested Directors) has approved
such transaction or series of transactions or the Company has obtained a written
opinion from a nationally recognized investment banking firm to the effect set
forth in the preceding clause (A); and (D) if such transaction or series of
related transactions involves consideration of more than $10 million the Company
has obtained a written opinion from a nationally recognized investment banking
firm to the effect set forth in the preceding clause (A). This covenant will not
apply to (i) the payment of reasonable and customary compensation and fees to,
and indemnification of, directors of the Company or any Subsidiary who are not
employees of the Company or any Subsidiary or (ii) reasonable and customary
salaries, bonuses and other compensation paid to employees of the Company or any
Subsidiary in accordance
 
                                       61
<PAGE>   68
 
with past practice approved by the Compensation Committee of the Company.
Clauses (ii)(C) and (ii)(D) of this covenant will not apply to transactions
pursuant to the Atlas Freighter Leasing Transactions.
 
     Limitation on Liens. The Company will not, and will not permit any
Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist
any Lien of any kind (other than Permitted Liens) on or with respect to any of
its property or assets including any shares of stock or indebtedness of any
Subsidiary, whether owned at the date of the Indenture or thereafter acquired,
or any income, profits or proceeds therefrom, or assign or otherwise convey any
right to receive income thereon.
 
     Limitation on Asset Sales and Disposition of Proceeds of Asset Sales. (a)
The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or
indirectly engage in any Asset Sale involving assets unless (i) the
consideration received by the Company or such Subsidiary for such Asset Sale is
not less than the Fair Market Value of the assets sold (as determined by the
Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be conclusive and
evidenced by a Board Resolution) and (ii) the consideration received by the
Company or the relevant Subsidiary in respect of such Asset Sale consists of at
least 75% cash or Cash Equivalents.
 
     (b) If the Company or any Subsidiary engages in an Asset Sale, the Company
may use the Net Cash Proceeds thereof, within 12 months after such Asset Sale,
to (i) repay permanently any then outstanding senior Indebtedness of the Company
or Indebtedness of any Subsidiary, (ii) invest (or enter into a legally binding
agreement to invest) in properties and assets to replace the properties and
assets that were the subject of the Asset Sale or in properties and assets that
will be used in businesses of the Company or its Subsidiaries, as the case may
be, existing on the Issue Date or reasonably related thereto or involving
outsourcing for the air cargo industry ("Replacement Assets"), or (iii) a
combination of repayment and investment permitted by the foregoing clauses
(b)(i) and (b)(ii). If any such legally binding agreement to invest such Net
Cash Proceeds is terminated, then the Company may, within 90 days of such
termination or within 12 months of such Asset Sale, whichever is later, invest
such Net Cash Proceeds as provided in clauses (i), (ii) (without regard to the
parenthetical contained in such clause (ii)) or (iii) above. Pending the final
application of any such Net Cash Proceeds, the Company or such Subsidiary may
temporarily reduce Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility, if any, or
otherwise invest such Net Cash Proceeds in Cash Equivalents. The amount of such
Net Cash Proceeds not so used as set forth above in this paragraph (b)
constitutes "Excess Proceeds."
 
     (c) When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $10 million, the
Company shall, within 25 business days, make an offer to purchase (an "Excess
Proceeds Offer") from the holders of Notes, on a pro rata basis, in accordance
with the procedures set forth below, the maximum principal amount of Notes that
may be purchased with the Excess Proceeds. The offer price as to each Note shall
be payable in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount of such
Note (as adjusted for any prepayment of principal of the Notes), plus accrued
interest, if any (the "Offered Price"), to the date such Excess Proceeds Offer
is consummated. To the extent that the adjusted aggregate principal amount of
Notes tendered pursuant to an Excess Proceeds Offer is less than the Excess
Proceeds, the Company may use such deficiency for general corporate purposes. If
the aggregate principal amount of Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn by
holders thereof exceeds the Excess Proceeds, Notes to be purchased will be
selected on a pro rata basis. Upon completion of such offer to purchase, the
amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset to zero.
 
     (d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and its Subsidiaries will be
permitted to consummate an Asset Sale without complying with paragraphs (a) and
(b) above to the extent (i) at least 75% of the consideration for such Asset
Sale constitutes Replacement Assets and/or Cash Equivalents and (ii) such Asset
Sale is for Fair Market Value; provided, however, that any consideration not
constituting Replacement Assets received by the Company or any Subsidiary in
connection with any Asset Sale permitted to be consummated under this paragraph
shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds subject to the provisions of paragraphs (a)
and (b) above.
 
     (e) If the Company becomes obligated to make an Excess Proceeds Offer
pursuant to clause (c) above, the Notes shall be purchased by the Company, at
the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part in integral multiples of
$1,000, on a date that is not earlier than 30 days and not later than 60 days
from the date the notice is given to holders, or such later date as may be
necessary for the Company to comply with the
 
                                       62
<PAGE>   69
 
requirements under the Exchange Act, subject to proration in the event the
amount Excess Proceeds is less than the aggregate Offered Price of all Notes
tendered.
 
     (f) The Company will comply with the applicable tender offer rules,
including Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, in connection with an Excess
Proceeds Offer and shall not be deemed in violation of this covenant by reason
of any action required to be taken to effect such compliance.
 
     Limitation on Guarantees of Indebtedness by Subsidiaries. (a) The Company
will not permit any Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to guarantee, assume or
in any other manner become liable for the payment of any Indebtedness of the
Company or Indebtedness of any other Subsidiary unless (i)(A) such Subsidiary
simultaneously executes and delivers a supplemental indenture to the Indenture
providing for a Guarantee of payment of the Notes by such Subsidiary and (B)
with respect to any guarantee of Subordinated Indebtedness by a Subsidiary, any
such guarantee shall be subordinated to such Subsidiary's Guarantee with respect
to the Notes at least to the same extent as such Subordinated Indebtedness is
subordinated to the Notes and (ii) such Subsidiary waives and will not in any
manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any rights of
reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation or any other rights against the Company
or any other Subsidiary as a result of any payment by such Subsidiary under its
Guarantee.
 
     (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Guarantee by a Subsidiary of the
Notes shall provide by its terms that it shall be automatically and
unconditionally released and discharged upon (i) any sale, exchange or transfer,
to any Person not an Affiliate of the Company, of all of the Capital Stock of a
Subsidiary owned by the Company or any Subsidiary in, or all or substantially
all the assets of, such Subsidiary (which sale, exchange or transfer is not
prohibited by the Indenture) or (ii) the release or discharge of the guarantee
which resulted in the creation of such Guarantee (and any other guarantees that
would have resulted in the creation of such a Guarantee), except a discharge or
release by or as a result of payment under such guarantee.
 
     Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting
Subsidiaries. The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to,
directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become
effective any encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the ability of any
Subsidiary to (a) pay dividends, in cash or otherwise, or make any other
distributions on or in respect of its Capital Stock, (b) pay any Indebtedness
owed to the Company or any other Subsidiary, (c) make Investments in the Company
or any other Subsidiary, (d) transfer any of its properties or assets to the
Company or any other Subsidiary or (e) guarantee any Indebtedness of the Company
or any other Subsidiary, except for such encumbrances or restrictions existing
under or by reason of (i) any agreement in effect on the date of the Indenture,
(ii) the Indenture, (iii) applicable law, (iv) customary non-assignment
provisions, (x) of any lease governing a leasehold interest of the Company or
any Subsidiary or (y) of Indebtedness secured by a Lien that is permitted to be
incurred under the Indebtedness that relates to the property subject to such
Lien, (v) any agreement or other instrument of a Person acquired by the Company
or any Subsidiary in existence at the time of such acquisition (but not created
in contemplation thereof), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to
any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or
the property or assets of the Person, so acquired, (vi) any restriction with
respect to a Subsidiary of the Company imposed pursuant to an agreement relating
to the sale of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or assets of such
Subsidiary (so long as such restriction, by its terms, terminates on the earlier
of the termination of such agreement or the consummation of such agreement), and
(vii) any restrictions existing under any agreement that refinances or replaces
any agreement containing restrictions permitted under clause (i), (ii), (iv) or
(v) or (vi), provided that the terms and conditions of such restriction are not
materially less favorable to the holder of the Notes than those under or
pursuant to the agreement refinanced or replaced.
 
     Limitations on Consolidations, Mergers and Sales of Assets. The Company
will not in a single transaction or a series of related transactions consolidate
with or merge with or into any other Person or sell, assign, convey, transfer,
lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties and
assets as an entirety to any Person or Persons, and the Company will not permit
any Subsidiary to enter into any such transaction or series of transactions if
such transaction or series of transactions, in the aggregate, would result in
the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company and its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis to any Person or Persons, unless: (i)
either
 
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<PAGE>   70
 
(a) the Company shall be the surviving corporation or (b) the Person (if other
than the Company) formed by such consolidation or into which the Company or such
Subsidiary is merged or the Person which acquires by sale, assignment,
conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition all or substantially all of the
properties and assets of the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be (the
"Surviving Entity"), (1) shall be a corporation organized and validly existing
under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the
District of Columbia that is a "certificated United States air carrier" under
the Aviation Act and (2) shall expressly assume, by indenture, supplemental to
the Indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to
the Trustee, the Company's obligation for the due and punctual payment of the
principal of (or premium, if any, on) and interest on the Notes and the
performance and observance of every covenant of the Indenture on the part of the
Company to be performed or observed; (ii) immediately before and after giving
effect to such transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis and
treating any obligation of the Company or a Subsidiary in connection with or as
a result of such transaction as having been incurred at the time of such
transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing; (iii) immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such
transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis (on the assumption
that the transaction or series of transactions occurred on the first day of the
four-quarter period immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction or
series of transactions with the appropriate adjustments with respect to the
transaction or series of transactions being included in such pro forma
calculation), the Company (or the Surviving Entity if the Company is not the
continuing obligor under the Indenture) could incur at least $1.00 of additional
Indebtedness (other than Permitted Indebtedness) under the provisions described
under "-- Certain Covenants -- Limitation on Incurrence of Additional
Indebtedness"; (iv) each Guarantor, if any, unless it is the other party to the
transactions described above, shall have by supplemental indenture confirmed
that its Guarantee shall apply to such Person's obligations under the Indenture
and the Notes; (v) if any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries would thereupon become subject to any Lien, the provisions
described under "-- Certain Covenants -- Limitation on Liens" are complied with;
and (vi) the Company or the Surviving Entity shall have delivered to the
Trustee, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, an
officer's certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such
consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease, and if a supplemental
indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental
indenture, comply with the terms of the Indenture and that all conditions
precedent therein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied
with.
 
     Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, conveyance,
transfer, lease or disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and
assets of the Company in accordance with the immediately preceding paragraph in
which the Company is not the continuing obligor under the Indenture, the
Surviving Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise
every right and power of, the Company under the Indenture with the same effect
as if such successor had been named as the Company therein. When a successor
assumes all the obligations of its predecessor under the Indenture or the Notes,
the predecessor shall be released from those obligations; provided that in the
case of a transfer by lease, the predecessor shall not be released from the
payment of principal and interest on the Notes.
 
     Reports. The Company will file on a timely basis with the Commission, to
the extent such filings are accepted by the Commission and whether or not the
Company has a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act, the annual
reports, quarterly reports and other documents that the Company would be
required to file if it were subject to Section 13 or 15 of the Exchange Act. The
Company will also be required (a) to file with the Trustee, and provide to each
holder of Notes, without cost to such holder, copies of such reports and
documents within 15 days after the date on which the Company files such reports
and documents with the Commission or the date on which the Company would be
required to file such reports and documents if the Company were so required, and
(b) if filing such reports and documents with the Commission is not accepted by
the Commission or is prohibited under the Exchange Act, to supply at the
Company's cost copies of such reports and documents to any prospective holder of
Notes promptly upon written request.
 
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<PAGE>   71
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
     An Event of Default will occur under the Indenture if:
 
          (i) there shall be a default in the payment of any interest on the
     Notes when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for
     a period of 30 days;
 
          (ii) there shall be a default in the payment of the principal of (or
     premium, if any, on) the Notes at their Maturity;
 
          (iii) (A) there shall be a default in the performance, or breach, of
     any covenant or agreement of the Company contained in the Indenture (other
     than a default in the performance, or breach, of a covenant or agreement
     which is specifically dealt with in the immediately preceding clauses (i)
     or (ii), or in clauses (B), (C) and (D) of this clause (iii)) and
     continuance of such default or breach for a period of 30 days after written
     notice shall have been given to the Company by the Trustee or to the
     Company and the Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate
     principal amount of the Notes then outstanding; (B) there shall be a
     default in the performance, or breach, of the provisions of "-- Certain
     Covenants -- Limitation on Asset Sales and Disposition of Proceeds of Asset
     Sales"; (C) there shall be a default in the performance or breach of the
     provisions of "-- Certain Covenants -- Limitations on Consolidation, Merger
     and Sale of Assets"; or (D) the Company shall have failed to make or
     consummate a Change of Control Offer in accordance with the provisions of
     "-- Change of Control";
 
          (iv) (A) there shall have occurred one or more defaults in the payment
     of principal of (or premium, if any, on) Indebtedness of the Company or any
     Subsidiary aggregating $10 million or more, when the same becomes due and
     payable at the stated maturity thereof, and such default or defaults shall
     have continued after any applicable grace period and shall not have been
     cured or waived or (B) Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary
     aggregating $10 million or more shall have been accelerated or otherwise
     declared due and payable, or required to be prepaid or repurchased (other
     than by regularly scheduled required prepayment), prior to the stated
     maturity thereof;
 
          (v) one or more final judgments or orders rendered against the Company
     or any Subsidiary which require the payment of money, either individually
     or in an aggregate amount, in excess of $10 million and either (A) an
     enforcement proceeding shall have been commenced by any creditor upon such
     judgment or order or (B) there shall have been a period of 30 days during
     which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of a
     pending appeal or otherwise, was not in effect; or
 
          (vi) the occurrence of certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or
     reorganization with respect to the Company or any Significant Subsidiary.
 
     If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders
of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes by notice to the
Company may declare the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on
all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and
accrued and unpaid interest shall be due and payable immediately, if an Event of
Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization
of the Company occurs and is continuing, the principal of and accrued and unpaid
interest on all the Notes will become and be immediately due and payable without
any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders. Under
certain circumstances, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding Notes may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Notes
and its consequences.
 
     Subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the duties of the
Trustee, if an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will be
under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the Indenture
at the request or direction of any of the holders unless such holders have
offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity or security against any loss,
liability or expense. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of
principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no holder may pursue any
remedy with respect to the Indenture or the Notes unless (i) such holder has
previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing, (ii)
holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have
requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy, (iii) such holders have offered the
Trustee reasonable security or indemnity
                                       65
<PAGE>   72
 
against any loss, liability or expense, (iv) the Trustee has not complied with
such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of
security or indemnity and (v) the holders of a majority in principal amount of
the outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction that, in the
opinion of the Trustee, is inconsistent with such request within such 60-day
period. Subject to certain restrictions, the holders of a majority in principal
amount of the outstanding Notes are given the right to direct the time, method
and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee
or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee,
however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the
Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of
any other holder or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior
to taking any action under the Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to
indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and
expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.
 
     The Indenture provides that if a Default occurs and is continuing and is
known to the Trustee, the Trustee must mail to each holder notice of the Default
within 5 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of
principal of, premium (if any) or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold
notice if and so long as a committee of its Trust officers in good faith
determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the Noteholders. In
addition, the Company is required to deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days
after the end of each fiscal year, a certificate indicating whether the signers
thereof know of any Default that occurred during the previous year. The Company
also is required to deliver to the Trustee, within 5 days after the occurrence
thereof, written notice of any events which would constitute certain Defaults,
their status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take in
respect thereof.
 
NO PERSONAL LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND STOCKHOLDERS
 
     No director, officer, employee, or stockholder of the Company or any
Subsidiary, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company
or any Subsidiary under the Notes or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in
respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of
Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and
release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.
 
DEFEASANCE OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE
 
     The Company may, at its option by Board Resolution, at any time, terminate
the obligations of the Company with respect to the outstanding Notes
("defeasance"). Such defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have
paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding
Notes, except for (i) the rights of holders of outstanding Notes to receive
payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest
on such Notes when such payments are due, (ii) the Company's obligations to
issue temporary Notes, register the transfer or exchange of any Notes, replace
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes, maintain an office or agency for
payments in respect of the Notes and segregate and hold such payments in trust,
(iii) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee, and (iv)
the defeasance provisions of the Indenture. In addition, the Company may, at its
option and at any time, elect to terminate the obligations of the Company with
respect to certain covenants set forth in the Indenture under " -- Certain
Covenants" above ("covenant defeasance"), and any omission to comply with such
obligations shall not constitute a Default or an Event or Default with respect
to the Notes.
 
     In order to exercise either defeasance or covenant defeasance, (i) the
Company must irrevocably deposit or cause to be deposited with the Trustee, in
trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the
benefit of the holders of the Notes, money in an amount, or U.S. Government
Obligations (as defined in the Indenture) which through the scheduled payment of
principal and interest thereon will provide money in an amount, or a combination
thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of
independent public accountants, to pay and discharge the principal of (and
premium, if any, on) and interest on the outstanding Notes at maturity (or upon
redemption, if applicable) of such principal, premium or installment of
interest; (ii) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing on the date of such deposit or, insofar as an event of bankruptcy
under clause (vi) of "Events of Default" above is concerned, at any time during
the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit; (iii) such
defeasance or
                                       66
<PAGE>   73
 
covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute
a default under, the Indenture or any material agreement or instrument to which
the Company is a party or by which it is bound; (iv) in the case of defeasance,
the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating
that the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal
Revenue Service a ruling, or since the date hereof, there has been a change in
applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect, and based
thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the holders of the outstanding Notes
will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a
result of such defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same
amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if
such defeasance had not occurred; (v) in the case of covenant defeasance, the
Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect
that the holders of the Notes outstanding will not recognize income, gain or
loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and
will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner
and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance
had not occurred; (vi) in the case of defeasance or covenant defeasance, the
Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United
States to the effect that after the 91st day following the deposit or after the
date such opinion is delivered, the trust funds will not be subject to the
effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws
affecting creditors' rights generally; (vii) the Company shall have delivered to
the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by
the Company with the intent of preferring the holders of the Notes over the
other creditors of the Company with the intent of hindering, delaying or
defrauding creditors of the Company; and (viii) the Company shall have delivered
to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating
that all conditions precedent provided for relating to either defeasance or
covenant defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with.
 
MODIFICATION OF INDENTURE
 
     Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture may be amended with the
consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then
outstanding and any past default or compliance with any provisions may be waived
with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes
then outstanding. However, without the consent of each holder of an outstanding
Note affected, no amendment may, among other things, (i) reduce the amount of
Notes whose holders must consent to an amendment, (ii) reduce the stated rate of
or extend the stated time for payment of interest on any Note, (iii) reduce the
principal of or extend the Maturity of any Note, (iv) waive a default in the
payment of the principal of or interest on any Note, (v) reduce the premium
payable upon the redemption or repurchase of any Note or change the time at
which any Note may be redeemed as described under "-- Redemption -- Optional
Redemption" above, (vi) make any Note payable in money other than that stated in
the Note, (vii) impair the right of any holder to receive payment of principal
of and interest on such holder's Notes on or after the due dates therefor or to
institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such
holder's Notes (viii) amend, change or modify in any material respect the
obligation of the Company to make and consummate a Change of Control Offer in
the event of a Change of Control or make and consummate an offer with respect to
any Asset Sale that has been consummated or modify any of the provisions or
definitions with respect thereto, (ix) modify or change any provision of the
Indenture or the related definitions affecting the ranking of the Notes in a
manner which adversely affects the holders of the Notes or (x) make any change
in the amendment provisions which require each holder's consent or in the waiver
provisions.
 
     Without the consent of any holder, the Company and the Trustee may amend
the Indenture to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, to
provide for the assumption by a successor corporation, partnership, trust or
limited liability company of the obligations of the Company under the Indenture,
to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated
Notes (provided that the uncertificated Notes are issued in registered form for
purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the
uncertificated Notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code), to
secure the Notes, to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the
holders or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company, to make
any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder or to comply
with any requirement of the Commission in connection with the qualification of
the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.
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<PAGE>   74
 
     The consent of the holders is not necessary under the Indenture to approve
the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent
approves the substance of the proposed amendment.
 
     After an amendment under the Indenture becomes effective, the Company is
required to mail to the holders a notice briefly describing such amendment.
However, the failure to give such notice to all the holders or any defect
therein, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.
 
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
 
     State Street Bank and Trust Company is the Trustee under the Indenture and
has been appointed by the Company as Registrar and Paying Agent with regard to
the Notes. The Trustee is also the trustee under the indenture for the Senior
Notes.
 
     The Indenture contains certain limitations on the rights of the Trustee,
should it become a creditor of the Company, to obtain payment of claims in
certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such
claim a security or otherwise. The Trustee will be permitted to engage in other
transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest (as defined) it
must eliminate such conflict or resign.
 
     The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then
outstanding Notes issued under the Indenture will have the right to direct the
time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy
available to the Trustee. The Indenture provides that in case an Event of
Default shall occur (which shall not be cured) the Trustee will be required, in
the exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent man in the
conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the Trustee will be
under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture
at the request of any of the holders of the Notes issued thereunder, unless they
shall have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
     The Indenture provides that it and the Notes will be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without giving
effect to applicable principles of conflicts of law to the extent that the
application of the law of another jurisdiction would be required thereby.
 
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
 
     "ACMI Contracted Aircraft" means an aircraft acquired by the Company or its
Subsidiaries and dedicated to a new ACMI Contract entered into within 60 days of
the acquisition of such aircraft (which ACMI Contract shall not represent a
renewal or replacement of a prior ACMI Contract unless the aircraft dedicated to
such prior ACMI Contract was operated under an operating lease and returned to
the lessor) which is in effect on the date of calculation and has a remaining
term of three years or more on the date such aircraft was dedicated to such ACMI
Contract provided that in any calendar year two ACMI Contracts may have a term
of not less than one year (subject to cancellation terms, which may include the
right to cancel on no less than six months notice). Pro forma effect shall be
given to the acquisition of an ACMI Contracted Aircraft by adding to the
appropriate components of the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (i) the
net projected annualized revenues from the operation of the ACMI Contracted
Aircraft under such ACMI Contract for that portion of the period for which the
Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated prior to the
acquisition of such aircraft, assuming operation for the minimum guaranteed
number of block hours (less any block hours subject to cancellation) at the
minimum guaranteed rate under such ACMI Contract less (ii) the projected
annualized cash operating expenses from such operation for the same period for
which the related projected revenues are determined in clause (i) above,
provided that such projected cash operating expenses shall not be less on a per
block hour basis than the average historical per block hour cash operating
expenses of the Company for such aircraft model for the four full fiscal
quarters immediately preceding the date of calculation, and provided, further,
that if such aircraft is of a model not then currently operated by the Company,
such projected cash operating expenses shall include maintenance costs which
shall not be less than the average for such aircraft type disclosed on the most
recently available DOT Forms 41 with respect to such aircraft type or any
summary of such data as reported in a nationally recognized industry publication
or as provided in a written estimate prepared by a nationally recognized air
transportation
                                       68
<PAGE>   75
 
consulting group. For purposes of this definition, "ACMI Contract" shall include
contracts pursuant to which the Company does not pay any crew costs, in which
event pro forma effect shall be given as described above but excluding from the
projected annualized cash operating expenses all crew costs. Cash operating
expenses means for purposes of this definition consolidated operating expenses,
less consolidated depreciation and amortization and consolidated rental
expenses, to the extent included in computing consolidated operating expenses.
 
     "Acquired Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of a Person (a) existing at the
time such Person becomes a Subsidiary or (b) assumed in connection with the
acquisition of assets from such Person.
 
     "AFL II" means a wholly-owned Unrestricted Subsidiary formed in August 1997
for the sole purpose of owning and leasing four 747-200 aircraft and nine spare
engines previously owned by the Company and financed by the Company's existing
revolving credit facility.
 
     "Affiliate" means, with respect to any specified Person, (i) any other
Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or
indirect common control with such specified Person or (ii) any other Person that
owns, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of such specified Person's Capital
Stock or any executive officer or director of any such specified Person or other
Persons or, with respect to any natural Person, any Person having a relationship
with such Person by blood, marriage or adoption not more remote than first
cousin. For the purposes of this definition, "control," when used with respect
to any specified Person, means the power to direct the management and policies
of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting
securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and
"controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
 
     "Appraised Fair Market Value" means the Adjusted Current Market Value.
Current Market Value is the most likely trading price that, in the opinion of an
appraiser, may be generated from an aircraft under the market conditions that
are perceived to exist at the time in question. Current Market Value assumes
that the aircraft is valued for its highest, best use, that the parties to the
hypothetical transaction are willing, able, prudent and knowledgeable, and under
no unusual pressure for a prompt sale, and that the transaction would be
negotiated in an open and unrestricted market on an arm's length basis, for cash
or equivalent consideration, and given an adequate amount of time for effective
exposure to prospective buyers. Adjusted Current Market Value, in the opinion of
the appraiser, is the Current Market Value of the aircraft adjusted for the
actual technical status and maintenance condition of the aircraft.
 
     "Asset Sale" means any sale, issuance, conveyance, transfer, lease or other
disposition (including, without limitation, by way or merger, consolidation or
sale and leaseback transaction) (collectively, a "transfer"), directly or
indirectly, in one or a series of related transactions, of (i) any Capital Stock
of any Subsidiary; (ii) all or substantially all of the properties and assets of
the Company or its Subsidiaries; or (iii) any other properties or assets of the
Company or any Subsidiary, other than in the ordinary course of business. For
the purposes of this definition, the term "Asset Sale" shall not include any
transfer of properties or assets (A) that is governed by the provisions of the
Indenture, described under "-- Certain Covenants -- Limitations on
Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets," (B) by the Company to any Subsidiary,
or by any Subsidiary of the Company or any Subsidiary and in accordance with the
terms of the Indenture, (C) of aircraft engines, components, parts or spare
parts pursuant to customary pooling, exchange or similar agreements or, (D)
asset swaps involving aircraft engines, components, parts or spare parts
(provided that the assets received by the Company or any Subsidiary have a Fair
Market Value at least equal to the asset transferred (provided that with respect
to any asset swap or series of related asset swaps involving assets with a Fair
Market Value exceeding $3 million, such determination shall be made by the Board
of Directors)), (E) constituting an Investment that is permitted under the
Indenture in an Unrestricted Subsidiary, joint venture or other Person in which
the Company or a Subsidiary retains an ownership interest, or (F) having a Fair
Market Value per transaction or series of related transactions of less than
$1,000,000.
 
     "Atlas Freighter Leasing Transactions" means the transactions in which
Atlas Freighter Leasing, Inc. and AFL II, each a wholly owned Unrestricted
Subsidiary of the Company, refinanced six 747-200 aircraft and four 747-200
aircraft all previously owned by the Company, respectively.
 
                                       69
<PAGE>   76
 
     "Aviation Act" means the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as amended, and the
applicable regulations thereunder.
 
     "Bankruptcy Law" means Title 11, United States Code, as amended, or any
similar United States federal or state law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency,
receivership, winding-up, liquidation, reorganization or relief of debtors or
any amendment to, succession to or change in any such law.
 
     "Boeing Purchase Contract" means the agreement dated June 9, 1997 between
Atlas Air, Inc. and The Boeing Company to purchase 10 new 747-400 aircraft.
 
     "Capital Stock" of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights
to purchase, warrants, options, participations, rights in or other equivalents
(however designated) of such Person's capital stock or other equity
participations, including partnership interests, whether general or limited, in
such Person, including any Preferred Stock, and any rights (other than debt
securities convertible into capital stock), warrants or options exchangeable for
or convertible into such capital stock, whether now outstanding or issued after
the date of the Indenture.
 
     "Capitalized Lease Obligation" of any Person means any obligation of such
Person and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis under a lease of (or other
agreement conveying the right to use) any property (whether real, personal or
mixed) that is required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease
obligation under GAAP, and, for the purpose of the Indenture, the amount of such
obligation at any date shall be the capitalized amount thereof at such date,
determined in accordance with GAAP.
 
     "Cash Equivalents" means (i) any evidence of Indebtedness with a maturity
of one year or less issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the
United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof (provided that
the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged in support
thereof); (ii) certificates of deposit or acceptances and money market deposits
with a maturity of one year or less of any financial institution that is a
member of the Federal Reserve System, in each case having combined capital and
surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000; (iii) commercial
paper with a maturity of one year or less issued by a corporation that is not an
Affiliate of the Company and is organized under the laws of any state of the
United States or the District of Columbia and rated at least A-1 by S&P or at
least P-1 by Moody's and (iv) investment in money market funds substantially all
of whose assets are comprised of Cash Equivalents described in clauses (i)
through (iii).
 
     "Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(a) any "person" or "group" (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)
of the Exchange Act), other than Permitted Holders, is or becomes the
"beneficial owner" (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act,
except that a Person shall be deemed to have "beneficial ownership" of all
securities that such Person has the right to acquire, whether such right is
exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or
indirectly, of more than 40% of the total outstanding Voting Stock of the
Company; (b) the Company consolidates with, or merges with or into, another
Person or conveys, transfers, leases or otherwise disposes of all or
substantially all of its assets to any Person, or any Person consolidates with,
or merges with or into, the Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction
in which the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company is converted into or
exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such
transaction where (i) the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company is not
converted or exchanged at all (except to the extent necessary to reflect a
change in the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Company) or is converted into
or exchanged for (A) Voting Stock (other than Redeemable Capital Stock) of the
surviving or transferee corporation or (B) cash, securities and other property
(other than Capital Stock of the Surviving Entity) in an amount that could be
paid by the Company as a Restricted Payment as described under "-- Certain
Covenants -- Limitation on Restricted Payments" (or a combination of (A) and
(B)) and (ii) immediately after such transaction, no "person" or "group" (as
such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than
Permitted Holders, is the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and
13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that a Person shall be deemed to have
"beneficial ownership" of all securities that such Person has the right to
acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage
of time), directly or indirectly, of more than 40% of the total outstanding
Voting Stock of the surviving transferee corporation; (c) during any consecutive
two year period, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the
                                       70
<PAGE>   77
 
Board of Directors of the Company (together with any new directors whose
election to such Board of Directors, or whose nomination for election by the
stockholders of the Company was approved by a vote of 66 2/3% of the directors
then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of such period
or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease
for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company
then in office; or (d) the Company is liquidated or dissolved or adopts a plan
of liquidation or dissolution other than in a transaction which complies with
the provisions described under "-- Certain Covenants -- Limitations on
Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets." For purposes of this definition, a
Permitted Holder shall be deemed to beneficially own Voting Stock that has been
pledged to a financial institution, unless the pledgee has the present right to
vote such Voting Stock in the election of directors or has exercised remedies
with respect to such Voting Stock.
 
     "Consolidated Adjusted Net Income" means, for any period, the consolidated
net income (or loss) of the Company and all Subsidiaries for such period as
determined in accordance with GAAP, adjusted by excluding, without duplication,
(a) any net after-tax extraordinary gains or losses (less all fees and expenses
relating thereto), (b) any net after-tax gains or losses (less all fees and
expenses relating thereto) attributable to asset dispositions other than in the
ordinary course of business, (c) the portion of net income (or loss) of any
Person (other than the Company or a Subsidiary), including Unrestricted
Subsidiaries, in which the Company or any Subsidiary has an ownership interest,
except to the extent of the amount of dividends or other distributions actually
paid to the Company or any Subsidiary in cash during such period, (d) for
purposes of calculating Consolidated Adjusted Net Income under "-- Certain
Covenants -- Limitation on Restricted Payments," the net income (or loss) of any
Person combined with the Company or any Subsidiary on a "pooling of interests"
basis attributable to any period prior to the date of combination and (e) the
net income of any Subsidiary, to the extent that the declaration or payment of
dividends or similar distributions by such Subsidiary is not at the date of
determination permitted, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of
its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule
or governmental regulation applicable to such Subsidiary or its stockholders.
 
     "Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" of the Company means, for any
period, the ratio of (a) the sum of Consolidated Adjusted Net Income,
Consolidated Interest Expense, Consolidated Income Tax Expense and Consolidated
Non-Cash Charges deducted in computing Consolidated Adjusted Net Income, in each
case, for such period, of the Company and all Subsidiaries as determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP to (b) such Consolidated Interest
Expense.
 
     "Consolidated Income Tax Expense" means, for any period, the provision for
federal, state, local and foreign income taxes of the Company and all
Subsidiaries for such period as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance
with GAAP.
 
     "Consolidated Interest Expense" of the Company means, for any period,
without duplication, the sum of (a) the interest expense of the Company and its
Subsidiaries for such period, including, without limitation, (i) amortization of
debt discount, (ii) the net cost of interest rate contracts (including
amortization of discounts), (iii) the interest portion of any deferred payment
obligation, (iv) amortization of debt costs and (v) accrued interest and
capitalized interest, plus (b) the interest component of Capitalized Lease
Obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries during such period, plus (c)
cash dividends due (whether or not declared) on Redeemable Capital Stock by the
Company and any Subsidiary (to any Person other than the Company and any wholly
owned Subsidiary), in each case as determined on a consolidated basis in
accordance with GAAP; provided that (x) the Consolidated Interest Expense
attributable to interest on any Indebtedness computed on a pro forma basis and
(A) bearing a floating interest rate shall be computed as if the rate in effect
on the date of computation had been the applicable rate for the entire period
and (B) which was not outstanding during the period for which the computation is
being made but which bears, at the option of the Company, a fixed or floating
rate of interest, shall be computed by applying at the option of the Company,
either the fixed or floating rate, and (y) in making such computation, the
Consolidated Interest Expense attributable to interest on any Indebtedness under
a revolving credit facility computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed
based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable
period. For purposes of clause (c) of the preceding sentence, dividends shall be
deemed to be an amount equal to the dividends due (whether or not declared)
divided by one minus the applicable actual combined federal,
                                       71
<PAGE>   78
 
state, provincial, local and foreign income tax rate of the Company and its
Subsidiaries (expressed as a decimal).
 
     "Consolidated Non-Cash Charges" means, for any period, the aggregate
depreciation, amortization and other non-cash items of the Company and any
Subsidiary reducing Consolidated Adjusted Net Income for such period, determined
on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (excluding any such non-cash
charge which represents an accrual of or reserve for cash charges for any future
period).
 
     "Currency Agreements" means any spot or forward foreign exchange agreements
and currency swap, currency option or other similar financial agreements or
arrangements entered into by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the
ordinary course of business and designed to protect against or manage exposure
to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
 
     "Default" means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time or
both would be, an Event of Default.
 
     "Disinterested Director" means, with respect to any transaction or series
of transactions in respect of which the Board of Directors is required to
deliver a resolution of the Board of Directors under the Indenture, a member of
the Board of Directors who does not have any material direct or indirect
financial interest in or with respect to such transaction or series of
transactions.
 
     "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
     "Fair Market Value" means, with respect to any asset or property, the sale
value that would be obtained in an arm's-length transaction between an informed
and willing seller under no compulsion to sell and an informed and willing buyer
under no compulsion to buy.
 
     "Generally Accepted Accounting Principles" or "GAAP" means generally
accepted accounting principles in the United States, consistently applied, that
are in effect on the date of the Indenture.
 
     "guarantee" means, as applied to any obligation, (a) a guarantee (other
than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary
course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner, of any part or all of
such obligation and (b) an agreement, direct or indirect, contingent or
otherwise, the practical effect of which is to assure in any way the payment or
performance (or payment of damages in the event of non-performance) of all or
any part of such obligation, including, without limiting the foregoing, the
payment of amounts drawn down by letters of credit.
 
     "Guarantee" means any guarantee of the Notes by any Subsidiary in
accordance with the provisions described under "-- Certain
Covenants -- Limitation on Guarantees of Indebtedness by Subsidiaries." When
used as a verb, "Guarantee" shall have a corresponding meaning.
 
     "Guarantor" means any Person that incurs a Guarantee.
 
     "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person, without duplication, (a)
all liabilities of such Person for borrowed money (including overdrafts) or for
the deferred purchase price of property or services, excluding any trade
payables and other accrued current liabilities (including outstanding
disbursements owed to trade creditors) incurred in the ordinary course of
business (whether or not evidenced by a note), but including, without
limitation, all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in
connection with any letters of credit and acceptances issued under letter of
credit facilities, acceptance facilities or other similar facilities, (b) all
obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or other
similar instruments, (c) all indebtedness of such Person created or arising
under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to
property acquired by such Person (even if the rights and remedies of the seller
or lender under such agreement in the event of default are limited to
repossession or sale of such property), but excluding trade accounts payable
arising in the ordinary course of business, (d) all Capitalized Lease
Obligations of such Person, (e) all Indebtedness referred to in (but not
excluded from) the preceding clauses of other Persons and all dividends of other
Persons, the payment of which is secured by (or for which the holder of such
Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by)
any Lien upon or with respect to property (including, without limitation,
accounts and contract rights) owned by such Person, even though
 
                                       72
<PAGE>   79
 
such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such
Indebtedness (the amount of such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the
value of such property or asset or the amount of the obligation so secured), (f)
all guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness referred to in this definition of
any other Person, (g) all Redeemable Capital Stock of such Person valued at the
greater of its voluntary or involuntary maximum fixed repurchase price plus
accrued and unpaid dividends and (h) all obligations of such Person under or in
respect of Interest Rate Agreements or Currency Agreements. For purposes hereof,
the "maximum fixed repurchase price" of any Redeemable Capital Stock which does
not have a fixed repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the
terms of such Redeemable Capital Stock as if such Redeemable Capital Stock were
purchased on any date on which Indebtedness shall be required to be determined
pursuant to the Indenture, and if such price is based upon, or measured by, the
Fair Market Value of such Redeemable Capital Stock, such Fair Market Value shall
be determined in good faith by the board of directors of the issuer of such
Redeemable Capital Stock.
 
     "Interest Rate Agreements" means any interest rate protection agreements
and other types of interest rate hedging agreements or arrangements (including,
without limitation, interest rate swaps, caps, floors, collars and similar
agreements) designed to protect against or manage exposure to fluctuations in
interest rates in respect of Indebtedness.
 
     "Investment" means, with respect to any Person, any direct or indirect
advance, loan or other extension of credit or capital contribution to (by means
of any transfer of cash or other property to others or any payment for property
or services for the account or use of others), or any purchase, acquisition or
ownership by such Person of any Capital Stock, bonds, notes, debentures or other
securities or evidences of Indebtedness issued or owned by, any other Person and
all other items that would be classified as investments on a balance sheet
prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the Fair Market Value of the net
assets of any Subsidiary at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an
Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be deemed to be an "Investment" made by the
Company in such Unrestricted Subsidiary at such time. "Investment" shall exclude
extensions of trade credit on commercially reasonable terms in accordance with
normal trade practices.
 
     "Issue Date" means the date of original issuance of the Notes.
 
     "Lien" means any mortgage, charge, pledge, lien (statutory or otherwise),
privilege, security interest, hypothecation, assignment for security, claim, or
preference or priority or other encumbrance upon or with respect to any property
of any kind, real or personal, movable or immovable, now owned or hereafter
acquired. A Person shall be deemed to own subject to a Lien any property which
such Person has acquired or holds subject to the interest of a vendor or lessor
under any conditional sale, agreement, capital lease or other title retention
agreement.
 
     "Maturity" means, with respect to any Note, the date on which any principal
of such Note becomes due and payable as therein or in the Indenture provided,
whether at the Stated Maturity with respect to such principal, by sinking fund
payment or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or purchase or
otherwise.
 
     "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.
 
     "Net Cash Proceeds" means (a) with respect to any Asset Sale, the proceeds
thereof in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents including payments in respect of
deferred payment obligations, but only when received in the form of, or stock or
other assets when disposed for, cash or Cash Equivalents (except to the extent
that such obligations are financed or sold with recourse to the Company or any
Subsidiary), net of (i) brokerage commissions and other fees and expenses
(including fees and expenses of legal counsel and investment banks) related to
such Asset Sale, (ii) provisions for all taxes payable as a result of such Asset
Sale, (iii) payments made to retire Indebtedness where payment of such
Indebtedness is secured by the assets or properties the subject of such Asset
Sale, (iv) amounts required to be paid to any Person (other than the Company or
any Subsidiary) owning a beneficial interest in the assets subject to the Asset
Sale and (v) appropriate amounts to be provided by the Company or any
Subsidiary, as the case may be, as a reserve required in accordance with GAAP
against any liabilities associated with such Asset Sale and retained by the
Company or any Subsidiary, as the case may be, after such Asset Sale, including,
without limitation, pension and other post-employment
 
                                       73
<PAGE>   80
 
benefit liabilities, liabilities related to environmental matters and
liabilities under any indemnification obligations associated with such Asset
Sale, all as reflected in an Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee and
(b) with respect to any issuance or sale of Capital Stock or options, warrants
or rights to purchase Capital Stock, or debt securities or Redeemable Capital
Stock that have been converted into or exchanged for Qualified Capital Stock, as
referred to under "-- Certain Covenants -- Limitation on Restricted Payments,"
the proceeds of such issuance or sale in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents,
including payments in respect of deferred payment obligations when received in
the form of, or stock or other assets when disposed for, cash or Cash
Equivalents (except to the extent that such obligations are financed or sold
with recourse to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company), net of
attorney's fees, accountant's fees and brokerage, consultation, underwriting and
other fees and expenses actually incurred in connection with such issuance or
sale and net of taxes paid or payable as a result thereof.
 
     "Permitted Holders" means Michael A. Chowdry, the Related Parties and/or a
trustee or other fiduciary holding Voting Stock under an employee benefit plan
of the Company.
 
     "Permitted Indebtedness" means any of the following:
 
          (a) Indebtedness of the Company in an aggregate principal amount at
     any one time outstanding not to exceed $100 million provided that such
     Indebtedness is incurred to finance the acquisition of additional aircraft
     by the Company and is secured by Liens on such aircraft;
 
          (b) Indebtedness of the Company outstanding on the Issue Date;
 
          (c) Indebtedness of the Company to any wholly owned Subsidiary;
     provided that any Indebtedness of the Company owing to any such Subsidiary
     is made pursuant to an intercompany note and is subordinated in right of
     payment from and after such time as the Notes shall become due and payable
     (whether at Stated Maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise) to the payment
     and performance of the Company's obligations under the Notes; provided
     further, that any disposition, pledge or transfer of any such Indebtedness
     to a Person (other than the Company or another wholly owned Subsidiary)
     shall be deemed to be an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company not
     permitted by this clause (c);
 
          (d) Indebtedness of the Company under Currency Agreements and Interest
     Rate Agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business, provided
     that the notional amount of such obligations does not exceed the amount of
     the related obligation on Indebtedness outstanding or committed to be
     incurred on the date such Currency Agreement or Interest Rate Agreements
     are entered into;
 
          (e) any renewals, extensions, substitutions, refinancings or
     replacements (each, for purposes of this clause, a "refinancing") by the
     Company of any Indebtedness of the Company pursuant to clause (b) of this
     definition, including any successive refinancings by the Company, so long
     as (i) any such new Indebtedness shall be in a principal amount that does
     not exceed the principal amount (or, if such Indebtedness being refinanced
     provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and
     payable upon a declaration of acceleration thereof, such lesser amount as
     of the date of determination) so refinanced, plus the amount of any premium
     required to be paid in connection with such refinancing pursuant to the
     terms of the Indebtedness refinanced or the amount of any premium
     reasonably determined by the Company as necessary to accomplish such
     refinancing, plus the amount of expenses of the Company incurred in
     connection with such refinancing, (ii) in the case of any refinancing of
     Subordinated Indebtedness, such new Indebtedness is made subordinate to the
     Notes at least to the same extent as the Indebtedness being refinanced and
     (iii) such new Indebtedness has no scheduled principal payments prior to
     the final Stated Maturity of the Notes;
 
          (f) Indebtedness of the Company in addition to any amounts listed in
     clauses (a) through (e) above in an aggregate principal amount at any one
     time outstanding not to exceed $20 million less the amount of Permitted
     Subsidiary Indebtedness then outstanding pursuant to clause (f) of the
     definition thereof;
 
          (g) Indebtedness under the Notes and the Indenture;
 
                                       74
<PAGE>   81
 
          (h) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other
     financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently
     (except in the case of daylight overdrafts) drawn against insufficient
     funds in the ordinary course of business; provided, however, that such
     Indebtedness is extinguished within two business days of incurrence; and
 
          (i) Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries incurred in
     connection with the acquisition of 10 new Boeing 747-400 aircraft pursuant
     to the Boeing Purchase Contract provided that such Indebtedness shall not
     exceed 80% of Appraised Fair Market Value of such aircraft at the time of
     borrowing, neither individually nor in the aggregate.
 
     "Permitted Investments" means any of the following:
 
          (a) Investments in Cash Equivalents;
 
          (b) Investments in the Company or any wholly owned Subsidiary;
 
          (c) Investments in Subsidiaries and Unrestricted Subsidiaries in an
     amount not to exceed $20 million in aggregate which Subsidiaries or
     Unrestricted Subsidiaries are in the business of the Company as conducted
     on the Issue Date or a business reasonably related thereto or involved in
     outsourcing for the air cargo industry or the leasing of aircraft to the
     Company;
 
          (d) Investments by the Company or any Subsidiary in another Person, if
     as a result of such Investment (i) such other Person becomes a wholly owned
     Subsidiary or (ii) such other Person is merged or consolidated with or
     into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its assets to,
     the Company or a wholly owned Subsidiary;
 
          (e) Currency Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements;
 
          (f) Loans and advances to employees and officers of the Company and
     its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business not in excess of $2.0
     million at any one time outstanding;
 
          (g) Investments in securities of trade creditors or customers received
     pursuant to a plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the
     bankruptcy or insolvency of such trade creditors or customers;
 
          (h) Investments existing on the Issue Date; or
 
          (i) Investments by the Company in AFL II.
 
     "Permitted Liens" means the following types of Liens:
 
          (a) Liens existing as of the date of the Indenture;
 
          (b) Liens on any property or assets of a wholly owned Subsidiary
     granted in favor of the Company or any other wholly owned Subsidiary;
 
          (c) Liens on property acquired after the date of the Indenture that
     secures Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under the covenant described
     under "-- Certain Covenants -- Limitation on Incurrence of Additional
     Indebtedness" and provided further that such Liens shall not extend to any
     other property of the Company or its Subsidiaries;
 
          (d) statutory Liens of landlords and carrier's, warehouseman's,
     mechanics, supplier's, materialmen's, repairmen's or other like Liens
     arising in the ordinary course of business and with respect to amounts not
     yet delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceeding,
     if a reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required
     in conformity with GAAP shall have been made therefor;
 
          (e) Liens for taxes, assessments, government charges or claims that
     are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly
     instituted and diligently conducted and if a reserve or other
 
                                       75
<PAGE>   82
 
     appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP
     shall have been made therefor;
 
          (f) Liens incurred or deposits made to secure the performance of
     tenders, bids, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds,
     government contracts, performance bonds and other obligations of a like
     nature incurred in the ordinary course of business (other than contracts
     for the payment of money);
 
          (g) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar charges
     or encumbrances not interfering in any material respect with the business
     of the Company or any Subsidiary incurred in the ordinary course of
     business;
 
          (h) Liens arising by reason of any judgment, decree or order of any
     court so long as such Lien is adequately bonded and any appropriate legal
     proceedings that may have been duly initiated for the review of such
     judgment, decree or order shall not have been finally terminated or the
     period within which such proceedings may be initiated shall not have
     expired; and
 
          (i) any extension, renewal or replacement, in whole or in part, of any
     Lien described in the foregoing clauses (a) through (i); provided that any
     such extension, renewal or replacement shall be no more restrictive in any
     material respect than the Lien so extended, renewed or replaced and shall
     not extend to any additional property or assets.
 
     "Permitted Subsidiary Indebtedness" means any of the following:
 
          (a) Indebtedness of Subsidiaries outstanding on the Issue Date;
 
          (b) Indebtedness of any Subsidiary under Currency Agreements and
     Interest Rate Agreements, provided that the notional principal amount of
     such obligations does not exceed the amount of Indebtedness outstanding or
     committed to be incurred on the date such Currency Agreements or Interest
     Rate Agreements are entered into;
 
          (c) Indebtedness of any wholly owned Subsidiary to any other wholly
     owned Subsidiary or to the Company;
 
          (d) any renewals, extensions, substitutions, refinancings or
     replacements (each, for purposes of this clause, a "refinancing") by any
     Subsidiary of any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary pursuant to clause (a) of
     this definition, including any successive refinancings by such Subsidiary,
     so long as any such new Indebtedness shall be in a principal amount that
     does not exceed the principal amount (or, if such Indebtedness being
     refinanced provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to
     be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration thereof, such lesser
     amount as of the date of determination) so refinanced plus the amount of
     any premium required to be paid in connection with such refinancing
     pursuant to the terms of the Indebtedness refinanced or the amount of any
     premium reasonably determined by such Subsidiary as necessary to accomplish
     such refinancing, plus the amount of expenses of such Subsidiary incurred
     in connection with such refinancing;
 
          (e) guarantees by Subsidiaries of Indebtedness of the Company entered
     into in accordance with the provisions described under "-- Certain
     Covenants -- Limitation on Guarantees of Indebtedness by Subsidiaries" and
     guarantees by Subsidiaries of Permitted Subsidiary Indebtedness of wholly
     owned Subsidiaries; and
 
          (f) Indebtedness of Subsidiaries in addition to any amounts listed in
     clauses (a) through (e) above in an aggregate principal amount at any one
     time outstanding not to exceed $20 million, less the amount of Permitted
     Indebtedness then outstanding pursuant to clause (f) of the definition
     thereof.
 
     "Person" means any individual, corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust,
unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision
thereof.
 
                                       76
<PAGE>   83
 
     "Preferred Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of such
person's preferred or preference stock whether outstanding on the date of the
Indenture, or issued thereafter, and including, without limitation, all classes
and series of preferred or preference stock of such Person.
 
     "Qualified Capital Stock" of any Person means any and all Capital Stock of
such Person other than Redeemable Capital Stock.
 
     "Redeemable Capital Stock" means any class or series of Capital Stock that,
either by its terms, by the terms of any security into which it is convertible
or exchangeable or by contract or otherwise is, or upon the happening of an
event or passage of time would be, required to be redeemed prior to the final
Stated Maturity of the Notes or is redeemable at the option of the holder
thereof at any time prior to such final Stated Maturity, or is convertible into
or exchangeable for debt securities at any time prior to such final Stated
Maturity.
 
     "Related Parties" means (a) the spouse, children or other descendants (by
blood or adoption), stepchildren, siblings, and in-laws of Michael A. Chowdry or
the spouse of Michael A. Chowdry; (b) the heirs, legatees, devisees,
distributees, personal representatives, or the estate of Michael A. Chowdry or
of persons listed in the foregoing clause (a); (c) any trust primarily for the
benefit of Michael A. Chowdry or any of the persons or entities listed in the
foregoing clauses of this definition; (d) any trust, corporation, limited or
general partnership, limited liability company or partnership or other entity of
which Michael A. Chowdry and/or any of the other persons or entities listed in
the foregoing clauses of this definition are the beneficial owners (as defined
in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that a Person shall be
deemed to have "beneficial ownership" of all securities that such Person has the
right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after
the passage of time) of a controlling interest in the outstanding voting and
equity securities or interests; (e) a transferee pursuant to a decree of
dissolution of marriage relating to Michael A. Chowdry or a Person that has been
immediately prior to the disposition of a Related Person under any clause of
this definition; or (f) a transferee by disposition in an involuntary manner
without the consent of Michael A. Chowdry or a Person that has been immediately
prior to the disposition a Related Person under any clause of this definition,
including, but not limited to, disposition under judicial orders.
 
     "S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, a division of McGraw-Hill,
Inc., and its successors.
 
     "Significant Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company that, together
with its Subsidiaries, (i) for the most recent fiscal year of the Company,
accounted for more than 10% of the consolidated revenues of the Company and its
Subsidiaries or (ii) as of the end of such fiscal year, was the owner of more
than 10% of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, all as
set forth on the most recently available consolidated financial statements of
the Company for such fiscal year.
 
     "Stated Maturity" means, when used with respect to the Notes or any
installment of interest thereon, the date specified in the Note as the fixed
date on which the principal of the Note or such installment of interest is due
and payable, and, when used with respect to any other Indebtedness, means the
date specified in the instrument governing such Indebtedness as the fixed date
on which the principal of such Indebtedness, or any installment of interest
thereon, is due and payable.
 
     "Subordinated Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of the Company that is
expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes.
 
     "Subsidiary" means any Person a majority of the equity ownership or Voting
Stock of which is at the time owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or
by one or more other Subsidiaries or by the Company and one or more other
Subsidiaries. For purposes of the Indenture, the term Subsidiary shall not
include any Unrestricted Subsidiary, except in the definition of Unrestricted
Subsidiary.
 
     "Unrestricted Subsidiary" means (a) any Subsidiary of the Company that at
the time of determination shall be an Unrestricted Subsidiary (as designated by
the Board of Directors of the Company, as provided below) and (b) any Subsidiary
of an Unrestricted Subsidiary and (c) Atlas Freighter Leasing, Inc. and Atlas
Freighter Leasing II, Inc. ("AFL II") are Unrestricted Subsidiaries as of the
Issue Date. The Board of
 
                                       77
<PAGE>   84
 
Directors of the Company may designate any Subsidiary (including any newly
acquired or newly formed Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary so long as
(i) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is directly or indirectly liable for
any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary, (ii) no default with respect to any
Indebtedness of such Subsidiary would permit (upon notice, lapse of time or
otherwise) any holder of any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary
to declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to
be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity, (iii) any Investment in
such Subsidiary made as a result of designation of such Subsidiary an
Unrestricted Subsidiary or otherwise was permitted under paragraph (a), clause
(iv) of "-- Certain Covenants -- Limitation on Restricted Payments", (iv)
neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has a contract, agreement, arrangement,
understanding or obligation of any kind, whether written or oral, with such
Subsidiary other than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who
are not affiliates of the Company, and (v) neither the Company nor any
Subsidiary has any obligation (1) to subscribe for additional shares of Capital
Stock or other equity interests in such Subsidiary, or (2) to maintain or
preserve such Subsidiary's financial condition or to cause such Subsidiary to
achieve certain levels of operating results. Any such designation by the Board
of Directors of the Company shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing a board
resolution with the Trustee giving effect to such designation. The Board of
Directors of the Company may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a
Subsidiary if immediately after giving effect to such designation, there would
be no Default or Event of Default under the Indenture and the Company could
incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness (other than Permitted Indebtedness)
pursuant to the provisions described under "-- Certain Covenants -- Limitation
on Incurrence of Additional Indebtedness".
 
     "Voting Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any class or classes of
Capital Stock pursuant to which the holders thereof have the general voting
power under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority of the board of
directors, managers or trustees of such Person (irrespective of whether or not,
at the time, stock of any other class or classes shall have, or might have,
voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency).
 
            CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
     The following is a summary of certain United States federal income tax
consequences of (i) the exchange of Old Notes for New Notes and (ii) the
ownership and disposition of the New Notes. This summary is based upon laws,
regulations, rulings and decisions now in effect, all of which are subject to
change (including changes in effective dates) or possible differing
interpretations. It assumes that the Old Notes and New Notes are (or will be)
held as capital assets. It does not purport to deal with persons in special tax
situations, such as financial institutions, insurance companies, regulated
investment companies, dealers in securities or currencies, persons holding New
Notes as a hedge against currency risks or as a position in a "straddle" for tax
purposes, or persons whose functional currency is not the United States dollar.
It also does not deal with holders other than Holders participating in the
Exchange Offer (except where otherwise specifically noted). Persons considering
participation in the Exchange Offer should consult their own tax advisors
concerning the application of United States federal income tax laws to their
particular situations as well as any consequences of the exchange of Old Notes
for New Notes, and the ownership and disposition of the New Notes arising under
the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.
 
     As used herein, the term "U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of a New
Note that is for United States federal income tax purposes (i) a citizen or
resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation, partnership or other entity
created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any
political subdivision thereof, (iii) an estate that is described in Section
7701(a)(30)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), or
a trust that is described in Section 7701(a)(30)(E) of the Code or (iv) any
other person whose income or gain in respect of a New Note is effectively
connected with the conduct of a United States trade or business. As used herein,
the term "non-U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of a New Note that is not a
U.S. Holder.
 
                                       78
<PAGE>   85
 
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF TENDERING OLD NOTES FOR NEW NOTES
 
     Exchange Offer. The exchange of Old Notes for New Notes pursuant to the
Exchange Offer should not be treated as an exchange or other taxable event for
United States federal income tax purposes because under Treasury regulations,
the New Notes should not be considered to differ materially in kind or extent
from the Old Notes. Rather, the New Notes received by a holder should be treated
as a continuation of the Old Notes in the hands of such holder. As a result,
there should be no United States federal income tax consequences to holders who
exchange Old Notes for New Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer and any such
holder should have the same tax basis and holding period in the New Notes as it
had in the Old Notes immediately before the exchange.
 
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF OWNING NEW NOTES
 
  U.S. Holders
 
     Payment of Interest. The Old Notes were not issued with original issue
discount. As a result, payments of interest on a New Note generally will be
taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary interest income at the time such payments
are accrued or are received, in accordance with the U.S. Holder's regular method
of tax accounting.
 
     Market Discount. A Note will be considered to bear "market discount" if the
U.S. Holder's tax basis for the Note is less than the principal amount of the
Note by more than a de minimis amount.
 
     Under the market discount rules, a U.S. Holder will be required to treat
any partial principal payment on, or any gain realized on the sale, exchange,
retirement or other disposition of, a Note as ordinary income to the extent of
the lesser of (i) the amount of such payment or realized gain or (ii) the market
discount which has not previously been included in income and is treated as
having accrued on such New Note at the time of such payment or disposition.
Market discount will be considered to accrue on a straight-line basis during the
period from the date of acquisition to the maturity date of the Note, unless the
U.S. Holder elects to accrue market discount on the basis of semiannual
compounding.
 
     A U.S. Holder may be required to defer the deduction of all or a portion of
the interest paid or accrued on any indebtedness incurred or maintained to
purchase or carry a New Note with market discount until the maturity of the New
Note or certain earlier dispositions. A U.S. Holder may elect to include market
discount in income currently as it accrues, in which case the rules described
above regarding the treatment as ordinary income of gain upon the disposition of
the Note and upon the receipt of certain cash payments and regarding the
deferral of interest deductions will not apply. Persons considering making this
election should consult their tax advisors.
 
     Premium. If a U.S. Holder's initial tax basis in any Note is greater than
the principal amount of the Note, the Note will be considered to have
"amortizable bond premium" equal in amount to such excess. A U.S. Holder may
elect to amortize such premium using a constant yield method over the remaining
term of the New Note and may offset interest otherwise required to be included
in respect of the New Note during any taxable year by the amortized amount of
such excess for the taxable year. Any election to amortize bond premium applies
to all taxable debt instruments acquired by the U.S. Holder on or after the
first day of the first taxable year to which such election applies and may be
revoked only with the consent of the IRS.
 
     Disposition of a Note. Except as discussed above, upon the sale, exchange
or retirement of a New Note, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize taxable gain
or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale,
exchange or retirement (other than amounts representing accrued and unpaid
interest) and such U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the New Note. A U.S.
Holder's adjusted tax basis in a New Note generally will equal such U.S.
Holder's initial investment in the Note increased by any accrued market discount
that the U.S. Holder has included in income and decreased by the amount of any
amortizable bond premium taken with respect to such Note. Such gain or loss
generally will be capital gain or loss and will, in the case of individuals, be
long-term capital gain or loss subject to a maximum rate of 20% if the Note has
been held for more than 18 months at the time of such disposition. An individual
will be taxed on his or her net capital gain at a rate of 28% for property held
for 18 months or less but more than one year. Special rates (and generally lower
maximum rates) apply to individuals in lower tax brackets.
 
                                       79
<PAGE>   86
 
  Non-U.S. Holders
 
     A non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to United States federal income taxes
on payments of principal, premium (if any) or interest (including original issue
discount, if any) on a New Note, unless such non-U.S. Holder is a direct or
indirect 10% or greater shareholder of the Company or a controlled foreign
corporation related to the Company. To qualify for the exemption from taxation,
the last United States payor in the chain of payment prior to payment to a
non-U.S. Holder (the "Withholding Agent") must have received in the year in
which a payment of interest or principal occurs, or in either of the two
preceding calendar years, a statement that (i) is signed by the beneficial owner
of the New Note under penalties of perjury, (ii) certifies that such owner is
not a U.S. Holder and (iii) provides the name and address of the beneficial
owner. The statement may be made on an IRS Form W-8 or a substantially similar
form, and the beneficial owner must inform the Withholding Agent of any change
in the information on the statement within 30 days of such change. If a New Note
is held through a securities clearing organization or certain other financial
institutions, the organization or institution may provide a signed statement to
the Withholding Agent. However, in such case, the signed statement must be
accompanied by a copy of the IRS Form W-8 or the substitute form provided by the
beneficial owner to the organization or institution. Proposed Treasury
Regulations have been issued which, if adopted, could affect these withholding
rules and other U.S. federal tax rules applicable to non-U.S. Holders, and
non-U.S. Holders should therefore consult their tax advisors with respect to the
effect of such proposed Treasury Regulations.
 
     Generally, a non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to federal income taxes on
any amount which constitutes capital gain upon retirement or disposition of a
New Note, provided the gain is not effectively connected with the conduct of a
trade or business in the United States by the non-U.S. Holder. Certain other
exceptions may be applicable, and a non-U.S. Holder should consult its tax
advisor in this regard.
 
     The New Notes will not be includible in the estate of a non-U.S. Holder
unless the individual is a direct or indirect 10% or greater shareholder of the
Company or, at the time of such individual's death, payments in respect of the
New Notes would have been effectively connected with the conduct by such
individual of a trade or business in the United States.
 
  Backup Withholding; Information Reporting
 
     Backup withholding of United States federal income tax at a rate of 31% may
apply to payments made in respect of the New Notes to registered owners who are
not "exempt recipients" and who fail to provide certain identifying information
(such as the registered owner's taxpayer identification number) in the required
manner. Generally, individuals are not exempt recipients, whereas corporations
and certain other entities generally are exempt recipients. Payments made in
respect of the New Notes to a U.S. Holder must be reported to the IRS, unless
the U.S. Holder is an exempt recipient or establishes an exemption. Compliance
with the identification procedures described in the preceding section would
establish an exemption from backup withholding for those non-U.S. Holders who
are not exempt recipients.
 
     In addition, upon the sale of a New Note to (or through) a broker, the
broker must withhold 31% of the entire purchase price, unless either (i) the
broker determines that the seller is a corporation or other exempt recipient or
(ii) the seller provides, in the required manner, certain identifying
information and, in the case of a non-U.S. Holder, certifies that such seller is
a non-U.S. Holder (and certain other conditions are met). Such a sale must also
be reported by the broker to the IRS, unless either (a) the broker determines
that the seller is an exempt recipient or (b) the seller certifies its non-U.S.
status (and certain other conditions are met). Certification of the registered
owner's non-U.S. status would be made normally on an IRS Form W-8 under
penalties of perjury, although in certain cases it may be possible to submit
other documentary evidence.
 
     Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a
beneficial owner would be allowed as a refund or a credit against such
beneficial owner's United States federal income tax provided the required
information is furnished to the IRS.
 
                                       80
<PAGE>   87
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own account pursuant to
the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of such New Notes. This Prospectus, as it may be
amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in
connection with resales of New Notes received in exchange for Old Notes where
such Old Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities. The Company has agreed that, starting on
the Expiration Date and ending on the close of business on the 180th day
following the Expiration Date, it will make this Prospectus, as amended or
supplemented, available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such
resale.
 
     The Company will not receive any proceeds from any sale of New Notes by
broker-dealers. New Notes received by broker-dealers for their own account
pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be sold from time to time in one or more
transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions through
the writing of options on the New Notes or a combination of such methods of
resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to
such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. Any such resale may be
made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive
compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such
broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of any such New Notes. Any broker-dealer
that resells New Notes that were received by it for its own account pursuant to
the Exchange Offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution
of such New Notes may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the
Act and any profit of any such resale of New Notes and any commissions or
concessions received by any such persons may be deemed to be underwriting
compensation under the Securities Act. The Letter of Transmittal states that, by
acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a
broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the
meaning of the Securities Act. By acceptance of the Exchange Offer, each
broker-dealer that receives New Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer hereby
agrees to notify the Company prior to using this Prospectus in connection with
the sale or transfer of New Notes, and acknowledges and agrees that, upon
receipt of notice from the Company of the happening of any event which makes any
statement in this Prospectus untrue in any material respect or which requires
the making of any changes in this Prospectus in order to make the statements
herein not misleading (which notice the Company agrees to deliver promptly to
such broker-dealer), such broker-dealer will suspend use of this Prospectus
until the Company has amended or supplemented the Prospectus to correct such
misstatement or omission and has furnished copies of the amended or supplemented
prospectus to such broker-dealer.
 
     For a period of 180 days after the Expiration Date, the Company will
promptly send additional copies of this Prospectus and any amendment or
supplement to this Prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents
in the Letter of Transmittal. The Company has agreed to pay all expenses
incident to the Exchange Offer (including the expenses of any one special
counsel for the holders of the Notes) other than commissions or concessions of
any brokers or dealers and will indemnify the holders of the Notes participating
in the Exchange Offer (including any broker-dealers) against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     Certain legal matters in connection with the New Notes offered hereby will
be passed upon for the Company by Cahill Gordon & Reindel, New York, New York (a
partnership including a professional corporation).
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The audited consolidated financial statements incorporated by reference in
this Prospectus and elsewhere in the Registration Statement have been audited by
Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their
report with respect thereto, and are incorporated herein in reliance upon the
authority of said firm as experts in giving said report.
 
                                       81
<PAGE>   88
 
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
 
     NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER
CONTAINED HEREIN OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR
MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL
OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITY OTHER THAN THOSE TO WHICH IT
RELATES, NOR DOES IT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR THE SOLICITATION OF ANY
OFFER TO BUY, TO ANY PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR
SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED, OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER OR
SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO, OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL
TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR
ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION
THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE
HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME
SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
 
                             ---------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                        ----
<S>                                     <C>
Available Information.................    iv
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
  Reference...........................    iv
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking
  Information.........................     v
Summary...............................     1
Risk Factors..........................    10
Capitalization........................    16
Selected Financial and Operating
  Data................................    17
Management's Discussion and Analysis
  of Financial Condition and Results
  of Operations.......................    19
Business..............................    33
Management............................    43
Description of Certain Indebtedness...    45
The Exchange Offer....................    48
Description of Notes..................    56
Certain United States Federal Income
  Tax Considerations..................    78
Plan of Distribution..................    81
Legal Matters.........................    81
Experts...............................    81
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
 
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
 
                                  $175,000,000
 
                                [ATLASAIR LOGO]
                                [ATLASAIR LOGO]
 
                             OFFER TO EXCHANGE ITS
                         9 1/4% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2008,
                           WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED
                         UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, FOR
                       ITS 9 1/4% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2008,
                         WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
                              --------------------
 
                                   PROSPECTUS
                              --------------------
   
                               SEPTEMBER 3, 1998
    
 
- ------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   89
 
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
     The Delaware General Corporation Law and the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of Atlas Air, Inc. (the "Charter") provide for indemnification of
directors and officers for liabilities and expenses incurred in defending
actions brought against them in such capacities. The Company's Charter provides
that the Company shall indemnify directors of the Company to the maximum extent
now or hereafter permitted by law, and officers, employees and agents of the
Company to the extent required by law and may, as authorized hereafter by the
Board of Directors, provide further indemnification to officers, employees and
agents of the Company to the maximum extent now or hereafter permitted by law.
 
     The Company maintains directors' and officers' liability insurance covering
all directors and officers of the Company against claims arising out of the
performance of their duties.
 
ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
 
     (a) Exhibits:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        EXHIBIT
         NUMBER                                  DESCRIPTION
        -------                                  -----------
<C>                      <S>
             +2.1        -- Plan of Reorganization and Merger Agreement dated as of
                            July 12, 1995 by and between Holdings and the Company.
             +3.2        -- Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.
             +3.3        -- Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company.
            ++4.1        -- Form of Indenture between the Company and First Fidelity
                            Bank, N.A., as Trustee.
            ++4.2        -- Form of Second Indenture between the Company and First
                            Fidelity Bank, N.A., as Trustee.
            ++4.3        -- Form of Pass Through Trust Agreement between the Company
                            and First Fidelity Bank, N.A., as Trustee (with form of
                            Pass Through Certificate attached as exhibit thereto).
            ++4.4        -- Form of Pass Through Agreement between the Company and
                            First Fidelity Bank, N.A., as Trustee (with form of Pass
                            Through Certificate attached as exhibit thereto).
           +++5          -- Opinion of Cahill Gordon & Reindel as to the legality of
                            the New Certificates.
            +10.14       -- Boeing 747 Maintenance Agreement dated January 1, 1995,
                            between the Company and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, as
                            amended.
            +10.15       -- Atlas Air, Inc. 1995 Long Term Incentive and Stock Award
                            Plan.
            +10.16       -- Atlas Air, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
            +10.17       -- Atlas Air, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan.
            +10.18       -- Atlas Air, Inc. Retirement Plan.
           ++10.19       -- Employment Agreement between the Company and Michael A.
                            Chowdry.
           ++10.20       -- Employment Agreement between the Company and Richard H.
                            Shuyler.
           ++10.23       -- Employment Agreement between the Company and James T.
                            Matheny.
            +10.26       -- Maintenance Agreement between the Company and Hong Kong
                            Aircraft Engineering Company Limited dated April 12,
                            1995, for the performance of certain maintenance events.
            +10.30       -- Conditional Sales Agreement dated as of September 22,
                            1994 by and between Lufthansa and the Company relating to
                            B747-230 aircraft, registration D-ABYS.
            +10.31       -- Conditional Sales Agreement dated as of September 22,
                            1994 by and between Lufthansa and the Company relating to
                            B747-230 aircraft, registration D-ABYL.
            *10.36       -- Aircraft Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 19, 1996
                            between Langdon Asset Management, Inc. and the Company.
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   90
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        EXHIBIT
         NUMBER                                  DESCRIPTION
        -------                                  -----------
<C>                      <S>
          ***10.52       -- Employment Agreement dated as of November 18, 1996
                            between the Company and R. Terrence Rendlerman.
          ***10.53       -- Secured Loan Agreement by and between the Company and
                            Finova Capital Corporation dated April 11, 1996.
          ***10.54       -- Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among the
                            Company and the Lenders listed therein, Goldman Sachs
                            Credit Partners L.P. (as syndication agent) and Bankers
                            Trust Company (as Administrative Agent) dated February
                            28, 1997.
     ***/****10.55       -- Engine Maintenance Agreement between the Company and
                            General Electric Company dated June 6, 1996.
           **10.56       -- Employment Agreement dated as of May 1, 1997 between the
                            Company and Stanley G. Wraight.
           **10.58       -- Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among the
                            Company, the Lenders listed therein, Goldman Sachs Credit
                            Partners L.P. (as Syndication Agent) and Bankers Trust
                            Company (as Administrative Agent) dated September 5,
                            1997.
           **10.59       -- Credit Agreement among Atlas Freighter Leasing, Inc., the
                            Lenders listed therein and Bankers Trust Company, as
                            agent, dated May 29, 1997.
           **10.60       -- Lease Agreement between Atlas Freighter Leasing, Inc., as
                            lessor, and the Company, as lessee, relating to B747-200
                            aircraft. U.S. Registration No. N516MC.
           **10.61       -- Lease Agreement between Atlas Freighter Leasing, Inc., as
                            lessor, and the Company, as lessee, relating to B747-200
                            aircraft. U.S. Registration No. N508MC.
           **10.62       -- Lease Agreement between Atlas Freighter Leasing, Inc., as
                            lessor, and the Company, as lessee, relating to B747-200
                            aircraft. U.S. Registration No. N507MC.
           **10.63       -- Lease Agreement between Atlas Freighter Leasing, Inc., as
                            lessor, and the Company, as lessee, relating to B747-200
                            aircraft. U.S. Registration No. N509MC.
           **10.64       -- Lease Agreement between Atlas Freighter Leasing, Inc., as
                            lessor, and the Company, as lessee, relating to B747-200
                            aircraft. U.S. Registration No. N808MC.
           **10.65       -- Lease Agreement between Atlas Freighter Leasing, Inc., as
                            lessor, and the Company, as lessee, relating to B747-200
                            aircraft. U.S. Registration No. N505MC.
           **10.66       -- Security Agreement and Chattel Mortgage between the
                            Company, Atlas Freighter Leasing, Inc. and Bankers Trust
                            Company, as agent, relating to B747-200 aircraft. U.S.
                            Registration No. N808MC.
           **10.67       -- Security Agreement and Chattel Mortgage between the
                            Company, Atlas Freighter Leasing, Inc. and Bankers Trust
                            Company, as agent, relating to B747-200 aircraft. U.S.
                            Registration No. N507MC.
           **10.68       -- Security Agreement and Chattel Mortgage between the
                            Company, Atlas Freighter Leasing, Inc. and Bankers Trust
                            Company, as agent, relating to B747-200 aircraft. U.S.
                            Registration No. N509MC.
           **10.69       -- Security Agreement and Chattel Mortgage between the
                            Company, Atlas Freighter Leasing, Inc. and Bankers Trust
                            Company, as agent, relating to B747-200 aircraft. U.S.
                            Registration No. N505MC.
           **10.70       -- Security Agreement and Chattel Mortgage between the
                            Company, Atlas Freighter Leasing, Inc. and Bankers Trust
                            Company, as agent, relating to B747-200 aircraft. U.S.
                            Registration No. N508MC.
           **10.71       -- Security Agreement and Chattel Mortgage between the
                            Company, Atlas Freighter Leasing, Inc. and Bankers Trust
                            Company, as agent, relating to B747-200 aircraft. U.S.
                            Registration No. N516MC.
           **10.72       -- Form of Indenture, dated August 13, 1997, between the
                            Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as
                            Trustee, relating to the 10 3/4% Senior Notes (with form
                            of Note attached as exhibit thereto)
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   91
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        EXHIBIT
         NUMBER                                  DESCRIPTION
        -------                                  -----------
<C>                      <S>
           **10.73       -- Purchase Agreement, dated August 8, 1997, between the
                            Company and BT Securities Corporation relating to the
                            10 3/4% Senior Notes.
           **10.74       -- Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 13, 1997,
                            between the Company and BT Securities Corporation
                            relating to the 10 3/4% Senior Notes.
           **10.75       -- Credit Agreement among Atlas Freighter Leasing II, Inc.,
                            the Lenders listed therein, Bankers Trust Company (as
                            Administrative Agent) and Goldman Sachs Credit Partners
                            L.P. (as Syndication Agent) dated September 5, 1997.
           **10.76       -- Lease Agreement dated September 5, 1997 between Atlas
                            Freighter Leasing II, Inc., as lessor, and the Company,
                            as lessee, relating to B747-200 aircraft, U.S.
                            Registration No. N527MC and Spare Engine Nos. 517538,
                            517539 and 455167.
           **10.77       -- Lease Agreement dated September 5, 1997 between Atlas
                            Freighter Leasing II, Inc., as lessor, and the Company,
                            as lessee, relating to B747-200 aircraft, U.S.
                            Registration No. N523MC and Spare Engine Nos. 530168 and
                            517530.
           **10.78       -- Lease Agreement dated September 5, 1997 between Atlas
                            Freighter Leasing II, Inc., as lessor, and the Company,
                            as lessee, relating to B747-200 aircraft, U.S.
                            Registration No. N524MC and Spare Engine Nos. 517790 and
                            517602.
           **10.79       -- Lease Agreement dated September 5, 1997 between Atlas
                            Freighter Leasing II, Inc., as lessor, and the Company,
                            as lessee, relating to B747-200 aircraft, U.S.
                            Registration No. N526MC and Spare Engine Nos. 517544 and
                            517547.
           **10.80       -- Security Agreement and Chattel Mortgage dated September
                            5, 1997 between Atlas Freighter Leasing II, Inc., the
                            Company and Bankers Trust Company, as Agent, relating to
                            B747-200 aircraft, U.S. Registration No. N523MC and Spare
                            Engine Nos. 530168 and 517530.
            *10.81       -- Security Agreement and Chattel Mortgage dated September
                            5, 1997 between Atlas Freighter Leasing II, Inc., the
                            Company and Bankers Trust Company, as Agent, relating to
                            B747-200 aircraft, U.S. Registration No. N524MC and Spare
                            Engine Nos. 517790 and 517602.
           **10.82       -- Security Agreement and Chattel Mortgage dated September
                            5, 1997 between Atlas Freighter Leasing II, Inc., the
                            Company and Bankers Trust Company, as Agent, relating to
                            B747-200 aircraft, U.S. Registration No. N526MC and Spare
                            Engine Nos. 517544 and 517547.
           **10.84       -- Security Agreement and Chattel Mortgage dated September
                            5, 1997 between Atlas Freighter Leasing II, Inc., the
                            Company and Bankers Trust Company, as Agent, relating to
                            B747-200 aircraft, U.S. Registration No. N527MC and Spare
                            Engine Nos. 517538, 517539 and 455167.
           **10.85       -- First Amendment to Lease Agreement among Atlas Freighter
                            Leasing, Inc. and Bankers Trust Company, as agent, dated
                            September 5, 1997
      **/****10.86       -- Purchase Agreement Number 2021 between The Boeing Company
                            and the Company dated June 6, 1997.
           **10.87       -- Aircraft General Terms Agreement between The Boeing
                            Company and the Company dated June 6, 1997.
           ++10.88       -- Placement Agreement, dated January 26, 1998, among the
                            Company, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, BT Alex.
                            Brown Incorporated, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
                            Securities Corporation and Goldman, Sachs & Co. relating
                            to the Pass Through Certificates Series 1998-1.
           ++10.89       -- Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 9, 1998,
                            among the Company, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, BT
                            Alex. Brown Incorporated, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
                            Securities Corporation and Goldman, Sachs & Co. relating
                            to the Pass Through Certificates Series 1998-1.
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   92
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        EXHIBIT
         NUMBER                                  DESCRIPTION
        -------                                  -----------
<C>                      <S>
           ++10.90       -- Pass Through Trust Agreement, dated as of February 9,
                            1998, between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company,
                            as Trustee, relating to the Atlas Air Pass Through Trust
                            1998-1A-0.
           ++10.91       -- Pass Through Trust Agreement, dated as of February 9,
                            1998, between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company,
                            as Trustee, relating to the Atlas Air Pass Through Trust
                            1998-1A-S.
           ++10.92       -- Pass Through Trust Agreement, dated as of February 9,
                            1998, between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company,
                            as Trustee, relating to the Atlas Air Pass Through Trust
                            1998-1B-0.
           ++10.93       -- Pass Through Trust Agreement, dated as of February 9,
                            1998, between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company,
                            as Trustee, relating to the Atlas Air Pass Through Trust
                            1998-1B-S.
           ++10.94       -- Pass Through Trust Agreement, dated as of February 9,
                            1998, between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company,
                            as Trustee, relating to the Atlas Air Pass Through Trust
                            1998-1C-0.
           ++10.95       -- Pass Through Trust Agreement, dated as of February 9,
                            1998, between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company,
                            as Trustee, relating to the Atlas Air Pass Through Trust
                            1998-1C-S.
           ++10.96       -- Deposit Agreement (Class A), dated as of February 9,
                            1998, between First Security Bank, National Association,
                            as Escrow Agent, and ABN AMRO Bank N.V., acting through
                            its Chicago Branch, as Depositary.
           ++10.97       -- Deposit Agreement (Class B), dated as of February 9,
                            1998, between First Security Bank, National Association,
                            as Escrow Agent, and ABN AMRO Bank N.V., acting through
                            its Chicago Branch, as Depositary.
           ++10.98       -- Deposit Agreement (Class C), dated as of February 9,
                            1998, between First Security Bank, National Association,
                            as Escrow Agent, and ABN AMRO Bank N.V., acting through
                            its Chicago Branch, as Depositary.
           ++10.99       -- Indemnity Agreement, dated as of February 9, 1998,
                            between ABN AMRO Bank N.V., acting through its Chicago
                            Branch, as Depositary, and the Company.
           ++10.100      -- Escrow and Paying Agent Agreement (Class A), dated as of
                            February 9, 1998, among First Security Bank, National
                            Association, as Escrow Agent, Morgan Stanley & Co.
                            Incorporated, BT Alex. Brown Incorporated, Donaldson,
                            Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation and Goldman,
                            Sachs & Co., as Placement Agents, Wilmington Trust
                            Company, not in its individual capacity, but solely as
                            Pass Through Trustee, and Wilmington Trust Company, as
                            Paying Agent.
           ++10.101      -- Escrow and Paying Agent Agreement (Class B), dated as of
                            February 9, 1998, among First Security Bank, National
                            Association, as Escrow Agent, Morgan Stanley & Co.
                            Incorporated, BT Alex. Brown Incorporated, Donaldson,
                            Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation and Goldman,
                            Sachs & Co., as Placement Agents, Wilmington Trust
                            Company, not in its individual capacity, but solely as
                            Pass Through Trustee, and Wilmington Trust Company, as
                            Paying Agent.
           ++10.102      -- Escrow and Paying Agent Agreement (Class C), dated as of
                            February 9, 1998, among First Security Bank, National
                            Association, as Escrow Agent, Morgan Stanley & Co.
                            Incorporated, BT Alex. Brown Incorporated, Donaldson,
                            Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation and Goldman,
                            Sachs & Co., as Placement Agents, Wilmington Trust
                            Company, not in its individual capacity, but solely as
                            Pass Through Trustee, and Wilmington Trust Company, as
                            Paying Agent.
           ++10.103      -- Revolving Credit Agreement (1998-1A), dated as of
                            February 9, 1998, between Wilmington Trust Company, not
                            in its individual capacity but solely as Subordination
                            Agent, as Borrower, and ABN AMRO Bank N.V., acting
                            through its Chicago Branch as Liquidity Provider.
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   93
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        EXHIBIT
         NUMBER                                  DESCRIPTION
        -------                                  -----------
<C>                      <S>
           ++10.104      -- Revolving Credit Agreement (1998-1B), dated as of
                            February 9, 1998, between Wilmington Trust Company, not
                            in its individual capacity but solely as Subordination
                            Agent, as Borrower, and Morgan Stanley Capital Services,
                            Inc., as Liquidity Provider.
           ++10.105      -- Revolving Credit Agreement (1998-1C), dated as of
                            February 9, 1998, between Wilmington Trust Company, not
                            in its individual capacity but solely as Subordination
                            Agent, as Borrower, and Morgan Stanley Capital Services,
                            Inc., as Liquidity Provider.
           ++10.106      -- Guarantee, dated as of February 9, 1998, from Morgan
                            Stanley, Dean Witter, Discover & Co. to Atlas Air, Inc.
                            Pass Through Trust 1998-B relating to Class B Liquidity
                            Facility.
           ++10.107      -- Guarantee, dated as of February 9, 1998, from Morgan
                            Stanley, Dean Witter, Discover & Co. to Atlas Air, Inc.
                            Pass Through Trust 1998-C relating to Class C Liquidity
                            Facility.
           ++10.108      -- Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of February 9, 1998,
                            among Wilmington Trust Company, not in its individual
                            capacity but solely as Trustee, ABN AMRO Bank N.V.,
                            acting through its Chicago Branch, as Class A Liquidity
                            Provider, Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc., as Class
                            B Liquidity Provider and Class C Liquidity Provider, and
                            Wilmington Trust Company.
           ++10.109      -- Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 9, 1998,
                            among the Company, Wilmington Trust Company and First
                            Security Bank, National Association.
           ++10.110      -- Employment Agreement dated as of February 16, 1998
                            between the Company and Stephen C. Nevin.
         ++++10.111      -- Form of Indenture, dated April 9, 1998, between the
                            Company and State Street Bank and Trust company, as
                            Trustee, relating to the 9 1/4% Senior Notes (with form
                            of Note attached as exhibit thereto).
         ++++10.112      -- Placement Agreement, dated April 7, 1998, among the
                            Company and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and BT
                            Alex. Brown Incorporated relating to the 9 1/4% Senior
                            Notes.
         ++++10.113      -- Registration Rights Agreement, dated April 9, 1998, among
                            the Company and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and BT
                            Alex. Brown Incorporated relating to the 9 1/4% Senior
                            Notes.
        *****10.114      -- Engine Maintenance Agreement between the Company and GE
                            Engine Services, Inc.
        *****10.115      -- Engine Maintenance Agreement between the Company and GE
                            Engine Services, Inc.
        *****10.116      -- General Terms Agreement between the Company and General
                            Electric Company dated June 6, 1997.
            +16.1        -- Letter dated July 21, 1995 from Ernst & Young to the
                            Securities and Exchange Commission.
           ++21.1        -- Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
             23.1        -- Consent of Independent Public Accountants.
          +++23.2        -- Consent of Cahill Gordon & Reindel (included in Exhibit
                            5).
          +++24.1        -- Powers of Attorney (set forth on the signature page of
                            the Registration Statement).
          +++25          -- Statement of Eligibility of Trustee for the 9 1/4% Senior
                            Notes.
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
  +++ Previously filed.
 
   ++ Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Company's Annual Report
      for 1997 on Form 10-K.
 
    + Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Company's Registration
      Statement on Form S-1 (No. 33-90304).
 
    ++ Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Company's Registration
       Statement on Form S-1 (No. 33-97892).
 
   ++++ Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Company's Registration
        Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-51819).
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>   94
 
     * Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Company's Registration
       Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-2810).
 
     ** Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Company's Registration
        Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-36305).
 
   *** Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Company's Annual Report
       for 1996 on Form 10-K.
 
  **** Portions of this document, for which the Company has been granted
       confidential treatment, have been redacted and filed separately with the
       Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
 ***** Portions of this document, for which the Company has requested
       confidential treatment, have been redacted and filed separately with the
       Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
     (b) Schedules.
 
          All schedules are omitted as the required information is presented in
     the Registrant's consolidated financial statements or related notes or such
     schedules are not applicable.
 
ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
     (1) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake as follows: that prior to
any public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through use of a
prospectus which is a part of this registration statement, by any person or
party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c), the
issuer undertakes that such reoffering prospectus will contain the information
called for by the applicable registration form with respect to reofferings by
persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called
for by the other items of the applicable form.
 
     (2) The registrants undertake that every prospectus: (i) that is filed
pursuant to paragraph (1) immediately preceding, or (ii) that purports to meet
the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Act and is used in connection with
an offering of securities subject to Rule 415, will be filed as a part of the
amendment to the registration statement and will not be used until such
amendment is effective, and that, for purposes of determining any liability
under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.
 
     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated by reference into the Prospectus pursuant to
Item 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of this form, within one business day of receipt of such
request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other
equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents filed
subsequent to the effective date of the Registration Statement through the date
of responding to the request.
 
     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a
post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the
company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in the Registration Statement when it became effective.
 
     The undersigned registrants hereby undertake to file an application for the
purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection
(a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and
regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act.
 
                                      II-6
<PAGE>   95
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, hereunto duly authorized in the City of Denver, State of Colorado
on the 3rd day of September, 1998.
    
 
                                            ATLAS AIR, INC.
 
                                            By:   /s/ RICHARD H. SHUYLER
 
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Name: Richard H. Shuyler
   
                                              Title:  Executive Vice
                                                      President -- Strategic
                                                      Planning, Treasurer and
                                                      Director
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                   TITLE                     DATE
                      ---------                                   -----                     ----
<C>                                                    <S>                           <C>
 
                          *                            Chairman of the Board, Chief   September 3, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------    Executive Officer,
                 Michael A. Chowdry                      President and Director
 
               /s/ RICHARD H. SHUYLER                  Executive Vice President --    September 3, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------    Strategic Planning,
                 Richard H. Shuyler                      Treasurer and Director
 
                          *                            Vice President and Chief       September 3, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------    Financial Officer
                  Stephen C. Nevin
 
                          *                                      Director             September 3, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                Lawrence W. Clarkson
 
                          *                                      Director             September 3, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                    David K.P. Li
 
                          *                                      Director             September 3, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 David T. McLaughlin
 
                          *                                      Director             September 3, 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------
                     Brian Rowe
             *By: /s/ RICHARD H. SHUYLER
  -------------------------------------------------
                  Attorney-in-Fact
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-7
<PAGE>   96
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        EXHIBIT
         NUMBER                                  DESCRIPTION                           PAGE
        -------                                  -----------                           ----
<C>                      <S>                                                           <C>
            +2.1         -- Plan of Reorganization and Merger Agreement dated as of
                            July 12, 1995 by and between Holdings and the Company.
            +3.2         -- Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.
            +3.3         -- Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company.
           ++4.1         -- Form of Indenture between the Company and First Fidelity
                            Bank, N.A., as Trustee.
           ++4.2         -- Form of Second Indenture between the Company and First
                            Fidelity Bank, N.A., as Trustee.
           ++4.3         -- Form of Pass Through Trust Agreement between the Company
                            and First Fidelity Bank, N.A., as Trustee (with form of
                            Pass Through Certificate attached as exhibit thereto).
           ++4.4         -- Form of Pass Through Agreement between the Company and
                            First Fidelity Bank, N.A., as Trustee (with form of Pass
                            Through Certificate attached as exhibit thereto).
          +++5           -- Opinion of Cahill Gordon & Reindel as to the legality of
                            the New Certificates.
           +10.14        -- Boeing 747 Maintenance Agreement dated January 1, 1995,
                            between the Company and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, as
                            amended.
           +10.15        -- Atlas Air, Inc. 1995 Long Term Incentive and Stock Award
                            Plan.
           +10.16        -- Atlas Air, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
           +10.17        -- Atlas Air, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan.
           +10.18        -- Atlas Air, Inc. Retirement Plan.
          ++10.19        -- Employment Agreement between the Company and Michael A.
                            Chowdry.
          ++10.20        -- Employment Agreement between the Company and Richard H.
                            Shuyler.
          ++10.23        -- Employment Agreement between the Company and James T.
                            Matheny.
           +10.26        -- Maintenance Agreement between the Company and Hong Kong
                            Aircraft Engineering Company Limited dated April 12,
                            1995, for the performance of certain maintenance events.
           +10.30        -- Conditional Sales Agreement dated as of September 22,
                            1994 by and between Lufthansa and the Company relating to
                            B747-230 aircraft, registration D-ABYS.
           +10.31        -- Conditional Sales Agreement dated as of September 22,
                            1994 by and between Lufthansa and the Company relating to
                            B747-230 aircraft, registration D-ABYL.
           *10.36        -- Aircraft Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 19, 1996
                            between Langdon Asset Management, Inc. and the Company.
         ***10.52        -- Employment Agreement dated as of November 18, 1996
                            between the Company and R. Terrence Rendlerman.
         ***10.53        -- Secured Loan Agreement by and between the Company and
                            Finova Capital Corporation dated April 11, 1996.
         ***10.54        -- Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among the
                            Company and the Lenders listed therein, Goldman Sachs
                            Credit Partners L.P. (as syndication agent) and Bankers
                            Trust Company (as Administrative Agent) dated February
                            28, 1997.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   97
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        EXHIBIT
         NUMBER                                  DESCRIPTION                           PAGE
        -------                                  -----------                           ----
<C>                      <S>                                                           <C>
    ***/****10.55        -- Engine Maintenance Agreement between the Company and
                            General Electric Company dated June 6, 1996.
          **10.56        -- Employment Agreement dated as of May 1, 1997 between the
                            Company and Stanley G. Wraight.
          **10.58        -- Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among the
                            Company, the Lenders listed therein, Goldman Sachs Credit
                            Partners L.P. (as Syndication Agent) and Bankers Trust
                            Company (as Administrative Agent) dated September 5,
                            1997.
          **10.59        -- Credit Agreement among Atlas Freighter Leasing, Inc., the
                            Lenders listed therein and Bankers Trust Company, as
                            agent, dated May 29, 1997.
          **10.60        -- Lease Agreement between Atlas Freighter Leasing, Inc., as
                            lessor, and the Company, as lessee, relating to B747-200
                            aircraft. U.S. Registration No. N516MC.
          **10.61        -- Lease Agreement between Atlas Freighter Leasing, Inc., as
                            lessor, and the Company, as lessee, relating to B747-200
                            aircraft. U.S. Registration No. N508MC.
          **10.62        -- Lease Agreement between Atlas Freighter Leasing, Inc., as
                            lessor, and the Company, as lessee, relating to B747-200
                            aircraft. U.S. Registration No. N507MC.
          **10.63        -- Lease Agreement between Atlas Freighter Leasing, Inc., as
                            lessor, and the Company, as lessee, relating to B747-200
                            aircraft. U.S. Registration No. N509MC.
          **10.64        -- Lease Agreement between Atlas Freighter Leasing, Inc., as
                            lessor, and the Company, as lessee, relating to B747-200
                            aircraft. U.S. Registration No. N808MC.
          **10.65        -- Lease Agreement between Atlas Freighter Leasing, Inc., as
                            lessor, and the Company, as lessee, relating to B747-200
                            aircraft. U.S. Registration No. N505MC.
          **10.66        -- Security Agreement and Chattel Mortgage between the
                            Company, Atlas Freighter Leasing, Inc. and Bankers Trust
                            Company, as agent, relating to B747-200 aircraft. U.S.
                            Registration No. N808MC.
          **10.67        -- Security Agreement and Chattel Mortgage between the
                            Company, Atlas Freighter Leasing, Inc. and Bankers Trust
                            Company, as agent, relating to B747-200 aircraft. U.S.
                            Registration No. N507MC.
          **10.68        -- Security Agreement and Chattel Mortgage between the
                            Company, Atlas Freighter Leasing, Inc. and Bankers Trust
                            Company, as agent, relating to B747-200 aircraft. U.S.
                            Registration No. N509MC.
          **10.69        -- Security Agreement and Chattel Mortgage between the
                            Company, Atlas Freighter Leasing, Inc. and Bankers Trust
                            Company, as agent, relating to B747-200 aircraft. U.S.
                            Registration No. N505MC.
          **10.70        -- Security Agreement and Chattel Mortgage between the
                            Company, Atlas Freighter Leasing, Inc. and Bankers Trust
                            Company, as agent, relating to B747-200 aircraft. U.S.
                            Registration No. N508MC.
          **10.71        -- Security Agreement and Chattel Mortgage between the
                            Company, Atlas Freighter Leasing, Inc. and Bankers Trust
                            Company, as agent, relating to B747-200 aircraft. U.S.
                            Registration No. N516MC.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   98
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        EXHIBIT
         NUMBER                                  DESCRIPTION                           PAGE
        -------                                  -----------                           ----
<C>                      <S>                                                           <C>
          **10.72        -- Form of Indenture, dated August 13, 1997, between the
                            Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as
                            Trustee, relating to the 10 3/4% Senior Notes (with form
                            of Note attached as exhibit thereto)
          **10.73        -- Purchase Agreement, dated August 8, 1997, between the
                            Company and BT Securities Corporation relating to the
                            10 3/4% Senior Notes.
          **10.74        -- Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 13, 1997,
                            between the Company and BT Securities Corporation
                            relating to the 10 3/4% Senior Notes.
          **10.75        -- Credit Agreement among Atlas Freighter Leasing II, Inc.,
                            the Lenders listed therein, Bankers Trust Company (as
                            Administrative Agent) and Goldman Sachs Credit Partners
                            L.P. (as Syndication Agent) dated September 5, 1997.
          **10.76        -- Lease Agreement dated September 5, 1997 between Atlas
                            Freighter Leasing II, Inc., as lessor, and the Company,
                            as lessee, relating to B747-200 aircraft, U.S.
                            Registration No. N527MC and Spare Engine Nos. 517538,
                            517539 and 455167.
          **10.77        -- Lease Agreement dated September 5, 1997 between Atlas
                            Freighter Leasing II, Inc., as lessor, and the Company,
                            as lessee, relating to B747-200 aircraft, U.S.
                            Registration No. N523MC and Spare Engine Nos. 530168 and
                            517530.
          **10.78        -- Lease Agreement dated September 5, 1997 between Atlas
                            Freighter Leasing II, Inc., as lessor, and the Company,
                            as lessee, relating to B747-200 aircraft, U.S.
                            Registration No. N524MC and Spare Engine Nos. 517790 and
                            517602.
          **10.79        -- Lease Agreement dated September 5, 1997 between Atlas
                            Freighter Leasing II, Inc., as lessor, and the Company,
                            as lessee, relating to B747-200 aircraft, U.S.
                            Registration No. N526MC and Spare Engine Nos. 517544 and
                            517547.
          **10.80        -- Security Agreement and Chattel Mortgage dated September
                            5, 1997 between Atlas Freighter Leasing II, Inc., the
                            Company and Bankers Trust Company, as Agent, relating to
                            B747-200 aircraft, U.S. Registration No. N523MC and Spare
                            Engine Nos. 530168 and 517530.
           *10.81        -- Security Agreement and Chattel Mortgage dated September
                            5, 1997 between Atlas Freighter Leasing II, Inc., the
                            Company and Bankers Trust Company, as Agent, relating to
                            B747-200 aircraft, U.S. Registration No. N524MC and Spare
                            Engine Nos. 517790 and 517602.
          **10.82        -- Security Agreement and Chattel Mortgage dated September
                            5, 1997 between Atlas Freighter Leasing II, Inc., the
                            Company and Bankers Trust Company, as Agent, relating to
                            B747-200 aircraft, U.S. Registration No. N526MC and Spare
                            Engine Nos. 517544 and 517547.
          **10.84        -- Security Agreement and Chattel Mortgage dated September
                            5, 1997 between Atlas Freighter Leasing II, Inc., the
                            Company and Bankers Trust Company, as Agent, relating to
                            B747-200 aircraft, U.S. Registration No. N527MC and Spare
                            Engine Nos. 517538, 517539 and 455167.
          **10.85        -- First Amendment to Lease Agreement among Atlas Freighter
                            Leasing, Inc. and Bankers Trust Company, as agent, dated
                            September 5, 1997
     **/****10.86        -- Purchase Agreement Number 2021 between The Boeing Company
                            and the Company dated June 6, 1997.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   99
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        EXHIBIT
         NUMBER                                  DESCRIPTION                           PAGE
        -------                                  -----------                           ----
<C>                      <S>                                                           <C>
          **10.87        -- Aircraft General Terms Agreement between The Boeing
                            Company and the Company dated June 6, 1997.
          ++10.88        -- Placement Agreement, dated January 26, 1998, among the
                            Company, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, BT Alex.
                            Brown Incorporated, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
                            Securities Corporation and Goldman, Sachs & Co. relating
                            to the Pass Through Certificates Series 1998-1.
          ++10.89        -- Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 9, 1998,
                            among the Company, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, BT
                            Alex. Brown Incorporated, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
                            Securities Corporation and Goldman, Sachs & Co. relating
                            to the Pass Through Certificates Series 1998-1.
          ++10.90        -- Pass Through Trust Agreement, dated as of February 9,
                            1998, between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company,
                            as Trustee, relating to the Atlas Air Pass Through Trust
                            1998-1A-0.
          ++10.91        -- Pass Through Trust Agreement, dated as of February 9,
                            1998, between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company,
                            as Trustee, relating to the Atlas Air Pass Through Trust
                            1998-1A-S.
          ++10.92        -- Pass Through Trust Agreement, dated as of February 9,
                            1998, between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company,
                            as Trustee, relating to the Atlas Air Pass Through Trust
                            1998-1B-0.
          ++10.93        -- Pass Through Trust Agreement, dated as of February 9,
                            1998, between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company,
                            as Trustee, relating to the Atlas Air Pass Through Trust
                            1998-1B-S.
          ++10.94        -- Pass Through Trust Agreement, dated as of February 9,
                            1998, between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company,
                            as Trustee, relating to the Atlas Air Pass Through Trust
                            1998-1C-0.
          ++10.95        -- Pass Through Trust Agreement, dated as of February 9,
                            1998, between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company,
                            as Trustee, relating to the Atlas Air Pass Through Trust
                            1998-1C-S.
          ++10.96        -- Deposit Agreement (Class A), dated as of February 9,
                            1998, between First Security Bank, National Association,
                            as Escrow Agent, and ABN AMRO Bank N.V., acting through
                            its Chicago Branch, as Depositary.
          ++10.97        -- Deposit Agreement (Class B), dated as of February 9,
                            1998, between First Security Bank, National Association,
                            as Escrow Agent, and ABN AMRO Bank N.V., acting through
                            its Chicago Branch, as Depositary.
          ++10.98        -- Deposit Agreement (Class C), dated as of February 9,
                            1998, between First Security Bank, National Association,
                            as Escrow Agent, and ABN AMRO Bank N.V., acting through
                            its Chicago Branch, as Depositary.
          ++10.99        -- Indemnity Agreement, dated as of February 9, 1998,
                            between ABN AMRO Bank N.V., acting through its Chicago
                            Branch, as Depositary, and the Company.
          ++10.100       -- Escrow and Paying Agent Agreement (Class A), dated as of
                            February 9, 1998, among First Security Bank, National
                            Association, as Escrow Agent, Morgan Stanley & Co.
                            Incorporated, BT Alex. Brown Incorporated, Donaldson,
                            Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation and Goldman,
                            Sachs & Co., as Placement Agents, Wilmington Trust
                            Company, not in its individual capacity, but solely as
                            Pass Through Trustee, and Wilmington Trust Company, as
                            Paying Agent.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   100
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        EXHIBIT
         NUMBER                                  DESCRIPTION                           PAGE
        -------                                  -----------                           ----
<C>                      <S>                                                           <C>
          ++10.101       -- Escrow and Paying Agent Agreement (Class B), dated as of
                            February 9, 1998, among First Security Bank, National
                            Association, as Escrow Agent, Morgan Stanley & Co.
                            Incorporated, BT Alex. Brown Incorporated, Donaldson,
                            Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation and Goldman,
                            Sachs & Co., as Placement Agents, Wilmington Trust
                            Company, not in its individual capacity, but solely as
                            Pass Through Trustee, and Wilmington Trust Company, as
                            Paying Agent.
          ++10.102       -- Escrow and Paying Agent Agreement (Class C), dated as of
                            February 9, 1998, among First Security Bank, National
                            Association, as Escrow Agent, Morgan Stanley & Co.
                            Incorporated, BT Alex. Brown Incorporated, Donaldson,
                            Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation and Goldman,
                            Sachs & Co., as Placement Agents, Wilmington Trust
                            Company, not in its individual capacity, but solely as
                            Pass Through Trustee, and Wilmington Trust Company, as
                            Paying Agent.
          ++10.103       -- Revolving Credit Agreement (1998-1A), dated as of
                            February 9, 1998, between Wilmington Trust Company, not
                            in its individual capacity but solely as Subordination
                            Agent, as Borrower, and ABN AMRO Bank N.V., acting
                            through its Chicago Branch as Liquidity Provider.
          ++10.104       -- Revolving Credit Agreement (1998-1B), dated as of
                            February 9, 1998, between Wilmington Trust Company, not
                            in its individual capacity but solely as Subordination
                            Agent, as Borrower, and Morgan Stanley Capital Services,
                            Inc., as Liquidity Provider.
          ++10.105       -- Revolving Credit Agreement (1998-1C), dated as of
                            February 9, 1998, between Wilmington Trust Company, not
                            in its individual capacity but solely as Subordination
                            Agent, as Borrower, and Morgan Stanley Capital Services,
                            Inc., as Liquidity Provider.
          ++10.106       -- Guarantee, dated as of February 9, 1998, from Morgan
                            Stanley, Dean Witter, Discover & Co. to Atlas Air, Inc.
                            Pass Through Trust 1998-B relating to Class B Liquidity
                            Facility.
          ++10.107       -- Guarantee, dated as of February 9, 1998, from Morgan
                            Stanley, Dean Witter, Discover & Co. to Atlas Air, Inc.
                            Pass Through Trust 1998-C relating to Class C Liquidity
                            Facility.
          ++10.108       -- Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of February 9, 1998,
                            among Wilmington Trust Company, not in its individual
                            capacity but solely as Trustee, ABN AMRO Bank N.V.,
                            acting through its Chicago Branch, as Class A Liquidity
                            Provider, Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc., as Class
                            B Liquidity Provider and Class C Liquidity Provider, and
                            Wilmington Trust Company.
          ++10.109       -- Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 9, 1998,
                            among the Company, Wilmington Trust Company and First
                            Security Bank, National Association.
          ++10.110       -- Employment Agreement dated as of February 16, 1998
                            between the Company and Stephen C. Nevin.
        ++++10.111       -- Form of Indenture, dated April 9, 1998, between the
                            Company and State Street Bank and Trust company, as
                            Trustee, relating to the 9 1/4% Senior Notes (with form
                            of Note attached as exhibit thereto).
        ++++10.112       -- Placement Agreement, dated April 7, 1998, among the
                            Company and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and BT
                            Alex. Brown Incorporated relating to the 9 1/4% Senior
                            Notes.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   101
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        EXHIBIT
         NUMBER                                  DESCRIPTION                           PAGE
        -------                                  -----------                           ----
<C>                      <S>                                                           <C>
        ++++10.113       -- Registration Rights Agreement, dated April 9, 1998, among
                            the Company and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and BT
                            Alex. Brown Incorporated relating to the 9 1/4% Senior
                            Notes.
       *****10.114       -- Engine Maintenance Agreement between the Company and GE
                            Engine Services, Inc.
       *****10.115       -- Engine Maintenance Agreement between the Company and GE
                            Engine Services, Inc.
       *****10.116       -- General Terms Agreement between the Company and General
                            Electric Company dated June 6, 1997.
           +16.1         -- Letter dated July 21, 1995 from Ernst & Young to the
                            Securities and Exchange Commission.
          ++21.1         -- Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
            23.1         -- Consent of Independent Public Accountants.
         +++23.2         -- Consent of Cahill Gordon & Reindel (included in Exhibit
                            5).
         +++24.1         -- Powers of Attorney (set forth on the signature page of
                            the Registration Statement).
         +++25           -- Statement of Eligibility of Trustee for the 9 1/4% Senior
                            Notes.
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
   +++ Previously filed.
 
     ++ Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Company's Annual Report
        for 1997 on Form 10-K.
 
      + Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Company's Registration
        Statement on Form S-1 (No. 33-90304).
 
      ++ Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Company's Registration
         Statement on Form S-1 (No. 33-97892).
 
     ++++ Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Company's
          Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-51819).
 
      * Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Company's Registration
        Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-2810).
 
     ** Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Company's Registration
        Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-36305).
 
   *** Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Company's Annual Report
       for 1996 on Form 10-K.
 
  **** Portions of this document, for which the Company has been granted
       confidential treatment, have been redacted and filed separately with the
       Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
 ***** Portions of this document, for which the Company has requested
       confidential treatment, have been redacted and filed separately with the
       Securities and Exchange Commission.

<PAGE>   1
                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.114

                          ENGINE MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT

                                     Between

                                 ATLAS AIR, INC.

                                       and

                            GE ENGINE SERVICES, INC.

      Portions of this document have been redacted and confidential treatment
      has been requested for these portions from the Securities and Exchange
      Commission. Redacted portions are indicated by "***".

                            Proposal No. ESI-97-0078E

                                   March, 1998

             This Proposal Shall Remain Valid Through March 15, 1998

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         PROPRIETARY INFORMATION NOTICE

The information contained in this document is ESI Proprietary Information and is
disclosed in confidence. It is the property of ESI and shall not be used,
disclosed to others, or reproduced without the express written consent of ESI.
If consent is given for reproduction in whole or in part, this notice and the
notice set forth on each page of this document shall appear on any such
reproduction, in whole or in part. The information contained in this document
may also be controlled by the U.S. export control laws. Unauthorized export or
re-export is prohibited.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>   2

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


Article          Description                                            Page
- -------          -----------                                            ----

            Title Page                                                     i
            Proprietary Information Legend                                ii
            Table of Contents                                            iii
            Recitals                                                      iv
                                                                       
            Section 1 - Commercial Terms                               
                                                                       
   I.       Introduction                                                 1-1
   II.      Price and Price Adjustment                                   1-1
   III.     Terms of Payment                                             1-3
                                                                       
            Section 2 - Technical                                      
                                                                       
   I.       Scope of Work                                                2-1
   II.      ESI Obligations                                              2-1
   III.     Buyer Obligations                                            2-4
   IV.      ***                                                          2-6
   V.       Term of Agreement                                            2-6
   VI.      Entire Agreement and Amendments                              2-7
                                                                       
            Section 3 - Appendices                                     
                                                                       
   A.       Glossary                                                     3-A-1  
   B.       Engine Serial Numbers and Aircraft Delivery Schedule         3-B-1  
   C.       ***                                                          3-C-1  
   D.       MCPH Price Adjustment                                        3-D-1  
   E.       ***                                                          3-E-1  
   F.       Supplemental Work Definition and Pricing                     3-F-1  
   F-1      Fixed Price Labor                                            3-F-1-1
   G.       Bench Stock Pricing                                          3-G-1  
                                                                          
Attachment A: ***
Attachment I: Terms and Conditions


MCPH     March, 1998          ESI PROPRIETARY INFORMATION               Page ii
               Subject to restrictions on the cover or first page

<PAGE>   3

                    CF6-80C2B1F ENGINE MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT, by and between GE Engine Services, Inc., a corporation organized
and existing under the law of the State of Delaware, U.S.A. and having an office
in Cincinnati, Ohio, ("ESI"), and Atlas Air, Inc., a corporation organized under
the law of Delaware, with its principal place of business at Building 243, John
F. Kennedy International Airport, Jamaica, New York, USA ("Buyer").

                                    RECITALS

WHEREAS, ESI, maintains and operates an approved United States Federal Aviation
Administration ("FAA") Repair Station holding Certificate No.: PR3R772L for the
repair, maintenance, overhaul, modification, and functional testing of aircraft
engines, engine accessories, parts, and components thereof; and

WHEREAS, Buyer has expressed its desire to have ESI perform modification and/or
repair services and/or refurbishment services ("Services") on Buyer's
CF6-80C2B1F Engines, Engine Modules, Engine Maintenance Units, and Engine Parts,
which Engines, Engine Modules, Engine Maintenance Units, and Engine Parts are
hereinafter sometimes referred to respectively as the "Engines," "Modules,"
"EMU's," and "Parts," or collectively as the "Equipment",

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual covenants and
conditions herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:


MCPH     March, 1998          ESI PROPRIETARY INFORMATION               Page iii
               Subject to restrictions on the cover or first page

<PAGE>   4

                          SECTION 1 - COMMERCIAL TERMS

                            ARTICLE I. - INTRODUCTION

A.    Coverage

      This Engine Maintenance Agreement ("the Agreement") will cover the
      maintenance of CF6-80C2B1F Engines operated by Buyer in its B747-400
      aircraft fleet ("Eligible Engines") as follows:

      1.    Services covered on a Maintenance Cost Per Hour ("MCPH") basis as
            specified in Section 2 - Article I., "Scope of Work", Paragraph A.,
            below; and,

      2.    Other Services covered on a Time and Material ("T&M") basis and
            defined in Appendix "F" as "Supplemental Work", below.

      3.    This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect to achieve one
            hundred twenty (120) months coverage under this Agreement for
            individual Engines added on or after the Effective Date in
            accordance with the provisions of Section 2 - Article V., below,
            unless extended by mutual agreement. Services set forth in this
            Agreement shall commence thirty (30) days after the Effective Date.

B.    Specification

      Buyer's CF6-80C2B1F Engines will be inspected, Repaired, modified, and
      tested in accordance with ESI's MCPH Engine Repair Specification in
      coordination with FAA approved manufacturer's Engine Manuals and Service
      Bulletins and other associated technical documents.

C.    Configuration

      Buyer and ESI shall mutually define an external Equipment configuration
      specification for Equipment to be covered under this Agreement.

                    ARTICLE II. - PRICE AND PRICE ADJUSTMENT

A.    Contract Parameters

      The MCPH Rate is predicated on the parameters set forth below:

      1.    A fleet of ten (10) new B747-400 aircraft, powered by new
            CF6-80C2B1F Engines, to be identified by serial number and estimated
            to be delivered as set forth in Appendix "B" attached hereto,
            operated by Buyer for the duration of this Agreement, provided that
            Buyer takes delivery of at least two (2) aircraft per year beginning
            in 1998 and takes delivery of at least ten (10) aircraft by the end
            of 2001. In addition these parameters will apply to up to ten (10)
            optional aircraft which may be acquired by Buyer.

      2.    ***

      3.    ***

      4.    ***


MCPH     March, 1998          ESI PROPRIETARY INFORMATION               Page 1-1
               Subject to restrictions on the cover or first page

<PAGE>   5

Article II. (Continued)

      5.    A route structure which includes not more than *** of total takeoffs
            and landings by aircraft contemplated by this Agreement in Africa,
            the Middle East, India, and Mexico. Should Buyer exceed the ***
            threshold, Buyer shall pay ***, per aircraft in the covered fleet
            per year for each percentage point (rounded to the next whole
            percentage point) in excess of the threshold. Should Buyer exercise
            the option to include additional Engines under this Agreement, the
            threshold for those option Engines shall be ***. The parties shall
            evaluate route structure data quarterly and reconcile any payments
            due for Buyer operation in excess of the threshold during January of
            each year.

      The parameters set forth in Paragraphs 2. through 5. above will be
      evaluated by ESI and Buyer quarterly. Buyer shall provide information
      relative to Engines covered by this Agreement, at ESI's request, including
      (but not limited to information available through ACARS) in accordance
      with a mutually agreed upon format. In addition to the adjustment
      specified in Paragraph A.7., below, should Buyer deviate from the
      parameters specified above, the Base Price per Engine Flying Hour ("EFH")
      shall be adjusted as set forth in Attachment "A". Such adjustment shall
      apply to all future EFH until a subsequent adjustment occurs.

      6.    Line Maintenance performed by Buyer, as set forth in Section 2.,
            Article III., Paragraph A.6.

      7.    Engine spares and Equipment quantity as set forth in Section 2 -
            Article II., below, for Buyer's Fleet of Ten (10) B747-400 Aircraft.

B.    Base Pricing

      The Base Year for Prices specified in this Agreement is ***. All Base
      Prices(s) are stated in United States Dollars per EFH.

C.    MCPH Rate

      1.    Base Price

            Base Prices are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          Basic Engine Price Per      Basic Engine Price Per
       Engine Year        EFH (10 Firm Aircraft)      EFH (10 Option Aircraft)
       -----------        ----------------------      ------------------------
       <S>                       <C>                            <C>
       Years 1-2                 ***                            ***
       Years 3-4                 ***                            ***
       Years 5-6                 ***                            ***
       Years 7-10                ***
</TABLE>

            MCPH rate is applicable on all EFH covered by this Agreement
            commencing with the Effective Date of the Agreement and the term
            "MCPH Rate" may be used to refer to the Basic Engine Price Per EFH.
            Basic Engine Price includes ***.


MCPH     March, 1998          ESI PROPRIETARY INFORMATION               Page 1-2
               Subject to restrictions on the cover or first page

<PAGE>   6

Article II (Continued)

      2.    Price Adjustment

            The Base Price shall be adjusted for fluctuation of the economy as
            described in Appendix "D", MCPH Price Adjustment, hereto. ***

D.    Supplemental Work Price

      Supplemental Work shall be charged shall be charged as set forth in
      Appendix "F", hereto.

E.    Addition or Removal of Engines

      1.    Addition of Engines under this Agreement shall be as follows:

            a.    Engines over and above those contemplated by Paragraph A.1. of
                  this Article II., which are transitioned into the Buyer fleet
                  after the execution of this Agreement, will be included at
                  Buyer's written request and ESI's concurrence. Such written
                  request shall include Engine serial number, aircraft
                  identification (including previous owner), TSN, TSLV, CSN,
                  CSLV and Component identification by serial number.

            b.    New Engines may be added to MCPH at the pricing set forth in
                  Paragraph C.1., as adjusted in accordance with Paragraph C.2
                  of this Article II. New Engines are defined as those with ***
                  flying hours or less since new.

            c.    Used Engines may be added to MCPH after such used Engine has
                  been Redelivered to Buyer after Buyer has Delivered the used
                  Engine to ESI for a full performance restoration workscope
                  (restoration of combustor, compressor, and HPT) shop visit,
                  using the MCPH Repair Specification, on a Supplemental Work
                  basis. At that time, the parties must agree as to the Engine
                  Year, as contemplated in Paragraph C.1. of this Article II.,
                  applicable to that Engine as it enters the MCPH program. Such
                  determination shall be based upon cycles since new and number
                  of shop visits for such added Engines.

      2.    Removal of Engines from this Agreement shall be as follows:

            Selection of Engines to be phased out of this Agreement prior to one
            hundred twenty (120) months coverage under this Agreement shall be
            mutually agreed upon by ESI and Buyer. ESI and Buyer shall negotiate
            any adjustment to the MCPH Rate and/or credits, if applicable.


MCPH     March, 1998          ESI PROPRIETARY INFORMATION               Page 1-3
               Subject to restrictions on the cover or first page

<PAGE>   7

                         ARTICLE III. - TERMS OF PAYMENT

A.    MCPH:

      Buyer shall remit to ESI, ***, an amount equivalent to the actual EFH for
      each Aircraft in Buyer's fleet for the preceding month, multiplied by the
      applicable MCPH rate as adjusted in accordance with the provisions of
      Appendix "D". ***

B.    All payments hereunder shall be made in United States Dollars via
      electronic funds transfer to the account of ESI at:

                            Pittsburgh National Bank
                              Account No. 2-158944
                                 ABA # 043000096
                            Pittsburgh PA 15264-0950

C.    Subject to ESI's then current credit and collection status for the Buyer,
      or, in the event Buyer's account becomes delinquent, ESI reserves the
      right to impose different terms of payment and collection.

D.    Payment for any Services performed by ESI as Supplemental Work, performed
      pursuant to the provisions of Appendix "F" Paragraph II., or as a result
      of route structure adjustments as contemplated by Section 1., Article II.,
      Paragraph A.7. of this Agreement, shall be made by Buyer within thirty
      (30) days after date of invoice. Any disputed invoiced amounts withheld by
      Buyer shall be resolved by the parties and, upon resolution, shall be paid
      within thirty (30) days of such resolution. Undisputed invoiced amounts
      shall be due thirty (30) days after the date of the initial invoice.


MCPH     March, 1998          ESI PROPRIETARY INFORMATION               Page 1-4
               Subject to restrictions on the cover or first page

<PAGE>   8

                              SECTION 2 - TECHNICAL

                           ARTICLE I. - SCOPE OF WORK

A.    Scope of MCPH:

      1.    MCPH Qualifying Shop Visits

            Buyer's Engines meeting any of the following criteria shall be
            eligible for maintenance on a MCPH basis ("Qualifying Shop Visit"):

            a.    The shop visit is necessary to correct a known defect,
                  failure, or performance deterioration which is beyond service
                  limits and cannot be corrected on-wing (See Paragraph e.,
                  below).

            b.    The shop visit is necessary to comply with an Airworthiness
                  Directive issued by the FAA or with recommendations contained
                  in GE's Mandatory Compliance Service Bulletins.

            c.    The shop visit is necessary to comply with a ESI written
                  recommendation requiring shop visits of Engines at scheduled
                  intervals.

            d.    The shop visit is necessary to replace Life Limited Parts
                  ("LLP").

            e.    The shop visit is necessary because troubleshooting in
                  accordance with the applicable Engine Maintenance Manual by
                  Buyer on-wing could not resolve the problem. Such Qualifying
                  Shop Visits shall be included as MCPH Qualifying Shop Visits
                  if ESI's designated Senior Field Service Representative or his
                  duly authorized alternate is in agreement that required
                  maintenance could not reasonably have been accomplished
                  on-wing.

            f.    The shop visit occurs as maintenance for convenience with
                  prior written concurrence from ESI.

                          ARTICLE II. - ESI OBLIGATIONS

A.    Services to be provided by ESI for Qualifying Shop Visits and other MCPH
      Support are:

      1.    Except as provided for in Paragraph 1.c., below and as specified in
            Appendix "F", provide all labor, Materials, and Parts (new or
            Repaired Serviceable) whether the effort is performed at ESI's
            facility, an off-site location, or subcontracted, for refurbishment
            or Repair necessary to:

            a.    Return an Engine to Serviceable condition, ***

            b.    Repair or replace damaged LLP. Note: LLP replaced for life
                  expiration is not included in the MCPH Rate.


MCPH     March, 1998          ESI PROPRIETARY INFORMATION               Page 2-1
               Subject to restrictions on the cover or first page

<PAGE>   9

Article II. (Continued)

            c.    Comply with basic Engine Airworthiness Directives ("AD"),
                  issued by the FAA, and GE Mandatory Compliance Service
                  Bulletins; ***

            d.    Repair "Other FOD" ( as defined in Appendix "A").

            e.    ***

            f.    ***

      2.    Perform out station Repairs, which may otherwise require a shop
            visit, at ESI's option, to avoid a shop visit at ESI's designated
            Repair facility.

      3.    Services associated with the purchase, warehousing and control of
            Rotable Inventory or use of Rotable Parts used to support Qualifying
            Shop Visits.

      4.    All labor, Material and fees associated with Engine testing or use
            of test cell, including fuel and oil for Qualifying Shop Visits.

      5.    ESI will assign a Program Manager who will be the point of contact
            for Buyer with respect to Services specified in this Agreement. The
            Program Manager will be responsible for:

            a.    With the assistance of Buyer, defining the work to be
                  accomplished for each Qualifying Shop Visit consistent with
                  the Procedure Manual.

            b.    Assisting Buyer with Supplemental Work requirements to be
                  performed under this Agreement.

            c.    Maintaining the necessary liaison between ESI and Buyer.

            d.    Providing Buyer's authorized personnel with reasonable access
                  to Buyer's Equipment, when such Equipment is in ESI's
                  possession, and to the maintenance records related to Buyer's
                  Equipment.

            e.    Developing with Buyer, on a monthly basis, an estimated
                  removal schedule ("ERS") of Buyer's Equipment to be provided
                  to ESI for Repair hereunder. The ERS shall identify by serial
                  number the Engine(s) to be delivered during the following six
                  (6) month period and the general workscope to be performed on
                  each. ESI shall use its best efforts with respect to the
                  accuracy and completeness of the data contained in the ERS.


MCPH     March, 1998          ESI PROPRIETARY INFORMATION               Page 2-2
               Subject to restrictions on the cover or first page

<PAGE>   10

Article II. (Continued)

            f.    Ensuring that all routine correspondence from ESI to Buyer
                  relative to the administration of the Agreement, except for
                  formal Notices under Paragraph VI. of Attachment "I" to this
                  Agreement, shall be directed to the attention of:

                              Atlas Air, Inc.                        
                              538 Commons Drive                      
                              Golden, Colorado, 80401                
                              Attention: Vice President, Maintenance 
                              
      6.    ESI will provide engineering support services for Eligible Engines
            as follows:

            a.    Develop a mutually agreeable maintenance plan, including
                  Repair Specification, and plan for removal and input of
                  Engines into ESI's designated facility as outlined in the
                  Procedure Manual, commencing within thirty (30) days of the
                  Effective Date, to be completed and approved by the FAA prior
                  to Buyer operational service of the aircraft.

            b.    Maintain current files on published CF6-80C2B1F Service
                  Bulletins, engineering specifications, and applicable Repair
                  documents as well as their application and introduction to
                  Buyer's Equipment.

            c.    Notify Buyer of any deviations found to Buyer's configuration
                  specification on Equipment coming into the shop for Repair and
                  request disposition of same.

            d.    Provide Engine test logs and Service Bulletin introduction
                  status for each Engine Redelivered to Buyer.

            e.    Provide a findings report stating any damage detected and
                  Repair(s) accomplished, including photographs, (if any).

      7.    Documentation

            a.    ESI will provide the following records to Buyer, in the format
                  specified in the Procedure Manual, at the time the Equipment
                  is Redelivered to Buyer:

                  1)    Major Repair/Alteration Certification FAA No. 337
                        (including AD Compliance).

                  2)    Life Limited Parts Log.

                  3)    Serviceable Tag.

                  4)    Original records and related documentation for all work
                        performed by ESI during Repair. A copy of all such
                        records and related documentation shall be retained by
                        ESI.

                  5)    Incoming Inspection Report.

                  6)    Off/On Log.


MCPH     March, 1998          ESI PROPRIETARY INFORMATION               Page 2-3
               Subject to restrictions on the cover or first page

<PAGE>   11

Article II. (Continued)

                  7)    Service Bulletin Status Report.

                  8)    AD Status Report.

                  9)    Test Cell Data Summary Sheet.

            b.    ESI will provide a Shop Findings Report to Buyer within thirty
                  (30) days after Equipment is Redelivered to Buyer.

      8.    Transportation

            a.    Buyer shall arrange and coordinate all transportation. ESI
                  shall, for each Qualifying Shop Visit, credit the cost of
                  domestic (forty-eight (48) contiguous States) ground
                  transportation of Buyer's Equipment to and from ESI's
                  designated Repair facility. *** Delivery and Redelivery are
                  defined in Appendix "A".

            b.    ESI shall provide maintenance services, as required, for
                  Buyer's Equipment transportation stands and containers while
                  at ESI's facility; however, replacement of stands and/or
                  containers is not included.

      ***


MCPH     March, 1998          ESI PROPRIETARY INFORMATION               Page 2-4
               Subject to restrictions on the cover or first page

<PAGE>   12

Article II. (Continued)

C.    Workmanship

      Notwithstanding the provisions of Attachment "I" - Paragraph XX.
      "Warranty", below, the parties agree that with respect to Buyer's
      Equipment Repaired and Redelivered under this Agreement ***, if Buyer
      discovers an alleged defect in workmanship within twelve (12) calendar
      months of Redelivery or one thousand (1,000) EFH from Redelivery,
      whichever comes first, and Buyer provides written notice to ESI of such
      defect within thirty (30) days of its discovery, ESI shall pay any direct
      costs for Engine Repairs resulting therefrom. The foregoing shall
      constitute the sole remedy of Buyer and the sole liability of ESI for
      repair of defective workmanship, relative to Buyer's Equipment covered by
      this Paragraph C.

                        ARTICLE III. - BUYER OBLIGATIONS

A.    During the term of this Agreement, Buyer shall:

      1.    Deliver to ESI's facility or make otherwise accessible to ESI all
            Equipment from Buyer's fleet of CF6-80C2B1F Engines, as specified in
            Appendix "B", requiring Repair. However, ESI shall have the option
            to perform Repairs with a field team at other locations.

      2.    Provide to ESI's authorized personnel reasonable access to Buyer's
            Equipment when such Equipment is in Buyer's possession, as well as
            to all operating and maintenance records maintained by Buyer related
            to Buyer's Equipment.

      3.    Make every reasonable effort to provide incoming transportation
            information in writing to ESI within at least three (3) calendar
            days prior to Delivery of Buyer's Equipment at ESI's facility. Upon
            removal of an Engine from Buyer's aircraft, Buyer shall Deliver such
            Engine to ESI's facility within seven (7) days. Failure to Deliver
            such Engine to ESI's facility within seven (7) days shall constitute
            an excusable delay should such delay result in a requirement for a
            lease Engine as set forth in Section 2., Article II., Paragraph B.

      4.    Designate in writing one (1) or more of its employees as a
            representative during the term of this Agreement. Such
            representative(s) shall represent Buyer hereunder.

      5.    Develop with ESI, on a monthly basis, an ERS of Buyer's Equipment to
            be provided to ESI for Repair hereunder. The ERS shall identify by
            serial number the type of Equipment, quantities and general
            workscope expected to be delivered to ESI during the next six (6)
            months. Buyer shall utilize its best efforts with respect to the
            accuracy and completeness of the data contained in the ERS.

      6.    Provide all line maintenance in accordance with the GE/Boeing
            Maintenance Manual, applicable published airframe and Engine
            manuals, mutually agreed-to Engine Repair Specification, Buyer
            Troubleshooting Manual, and Buyer's FAA approved B747-400
            Maintenance Specification Manual. In addition, Buyer shall be
            responsible for all required scrap replacement of LRUs on the line
            and Repair of LRUs not included in Appendix "C"..


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<PAGE>   13

Article III. (Continued)

      7.    ***

      8.    Supply to ESI complete historical information to facilitate Repairs
            hereunder which shall include, at a minimum, the following:

            a.    Total Engine Operating Time Since New ("TSN").

            b.    Time Since Last Visit ("TSLV").

            c.    Cycles Since New ("CSN").

            d.    Cycles Since Last Visit ("CSLV").

            e.    Reason for this shop visit.

            f.    LRU In/Out Sheet during operating period prior to this shop
                  visit and reason for removal, using Buyer's best reasonable
                  efforts.

            g.    TSN, CSN on all LLP.

            LLP replaced hereunder due to lack of adequate records, as specified
            above, will be at Buyer's expense; however, prior to replacing such
            LLP, ESI will first advise Buyer that certain records are missing
            and allow Buyer five (5) working days to acknowledge and forward
            such records to ESI. If, after the allotted five (5) working days,
            the records are not complete, ESI will assume that the time and
            cycles as specified in Buyer supplied historical information have
            expired on all Life Limited Parts for which there is a lack of
            record ***.

      9.    Provide to ESI an external Equipment configuration specification for
            Equipment, pursuant to Section 1 - Article I., Paragraph C., above.

      10.   Ensure that adequate office space, parking, telephone, facsimile and
            computer equipment is available for the ESI technical representative
            assigned to the Buyer facility, as applicable.

      11.   Maintain a minimum of five (5) Spare Engines to be made available in
            accordance with the schedule set forth in Appendix "B", in support
            of the ten (10) aircraft fleet. In the event additional aircraft are
            added to this Agreement Buyer shall maintain a Spare Engine quantity
            of twelve and one-half percent (12.5%) of installed Engines, rounded
            to the next whole Engine.

      12.   Provide ACARS data to ESI at times and in a format specified in the
            Procedures Manual.


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<PAGE>   14

                                       ***

                         ARTICLE V. - TERM OF AGREEMENT

This Agreement shall commence upon execution of this Agreement by both parties,
or the latter of the two signature dates if the parties do not sign concurrently
("Effective Date") and shall remain in full force and effect to achieve one
hundred twenty (120) months coverage under this Agreement for included Engines
added after the Effective Date, unless extended in writing by mutual agreement
or in accordance with Section I., Article II., Paragraph A.1., as a result of
exercise of option in accordance with Section I., Article II., Paragraph F., or
until terminated by either party as provided for in Attachment "I", Paragraph I.
"Termination".

                  ARTICLE VI. - ENTIRE AGREEMENT AND AMENDMENTS

This Agreement, together with Appendices "A" - "G" and Attachments "A" and "I",
contains and constitutes the entire understanding and agreement between the
parties hereto respecting the subject matter hereof, and supersedes and cancels
all previous negotiations, agreements, commitments, and writings in connection
herewith. This Agreement may not be released, discharged, abandoned,
supplemented, changed, or modified in any manner, orally or otherwise, except by
an instrument in writing of concurrent or subsequent date signed by a duly
authorized officer or representative of each of the parties hereto.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the ESI and Buyer have caused this Agreement to be signed in
duplicate by their duly authorized officers and representatives as of the date
written below.

         For and On Behalf Of:                For and On Behalf Of:

         GE Engine Services, Inc.             Atlas Air, Inc.

         By:                                  By:                               
              -----------------------------        -----------------------------

         Title:                               Title:

         Date:                                Date:
              -----------------------------        -----------------------------
                  (the "Effective Date")           (the "Effective Date")


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<PAGE>   15

                             SECTION 3 - APPENDICES

                                  APPENDIX "A"

                                    GLOSSARY

For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall be defined as follows:

A.    Buyer's Fleet

      CF6-80C2B1F Engine powered B747-400 aircraft operated by Buyer.

B.    Component

      Parts joined together to form a subassembly or unit of the Equipment.

C.    Delivery

      The date on which Buyer's Equipment is Delivered Duties Paid ("DDP") ESI's
      designated Repair facility (Incoterms 1990) for the purpose of Repair,
      except for those instances referring to delivery of aircraft.

D.    Engine Caused Failure

      The failure of an Engine or an Engine Part which is the sole cause for
      Engine Removal.

E.    Engine Maintenance Unit ("EMU")

      A major serialized portion of the Engine originally sold by ESI as a new
      or used, serviceable assembly.

F.    Equipment

      Buyer's CF6-80C2B1F Engines, Engine Modules, Engine Maintenance Units, and
      Engine Parts collectively referred to as "Equipment".

G.    Foreign Object Damage ("FOD")

      "Major FOD" ***

      "Other FOD" ***

H.    ESI

      The term "ESI" shall include ESI, and its affiliated companies (as
      presently and hereinafter constituted) and directors, officers, employees,
      agents, vendors or suppliers of ESI and its affiliated companies.


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<PAGE>   16

Appendix "A" (Continued)

I.    Life Limited Part

      A Part with an approved limitation on use in cumulative hours or cycles,
      which either the original equipment manufacturer or the FAA establishes as
      the maximum period of allowable operational time for all such Parts in
      airline service, with periodic Repair and restoration. Also known as
      "Ultimate Life Part".

J.    Material

      All items purchased, supplied, or fabricated and utilized during
      maintenance of the Equipment or incorporated in and made a part of the
      Equipment. Used collectively to describe all Parts, Components,
      Expendables, Rotables and supplies required for the maintenance of the
      Equipment.

K.    Redelivery

      After Repair, the date on which ESI offers for acceptance and ships Ex
      Works, ESI's designated Repair facility (Incoterms 1990) Buyer's
      Equipment.

L.    Repair

      The teardown or disassembly, inspection, Repair, maintenance, overhaul,
      modification, Parts replacement, where necessary, and reassembly and test,
      when applicable, of Buyer's Equipment.

M.    Rotable Inventory

      Serviceable Engine Module, EMU, or Component which is exchanged for like
      hardware which requires Repair for which Turn Time exceeds the allotted
      Repair flow time associated with same.

N.    Serviceable

      An item of Equipment which meets all ESI and FAA specified standards for
      airworthiness following Repair and has no known defects which would render
      it unfit for service, in accordance with the Engine Specification.

O.    Turn Time

      The number of calendar days between input of Buyer's Equipment into ESI's
      facility for Repair and Redelivery to Buyer.


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<PAGE>   17

                                  APPENDIX "B"

              ENGINE SERIAL NUMBERS AND AIRCRAFT DELIVERY SCHEDULE


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       Aircraft Quantity                            Scheduled Year of Delivery
       -----------------                            --------------------------
       
             <S>                                               <C> 
              4                                                1998
              2                                                1999
              3                                                2000
              1                                                2001

<CAPTION>
       Cumulative Spare                             Scheduled Year of Delivery
       Engine Quantity *                            --------------------------
       -----------------

              <S>                                              <C>    
              1                                                2Q 1998
              1                                                2Q 1999
              1                                                2Q 2000
              1                                                2Q 2001
              1                                                2Q 2003
</TABLE>

            *Per Letter Agreement No. 1 to GTA No. 6-9810

Engine serial numbers to be added as Buyer purchases aircraft.


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<PAGE>   18

                                  APPENDIX "C"

                                       ***

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    Nomenclature     ATA Ref    GE Part Number           OEM Part Number     TAT
<S>                 <C>         <C>                      <C>                 <C>

</TABLE>

***


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<PAGE>   19

Appendix "C" (Continued)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    Nomenclature     ATA Ref    GE Part Number           OEM Part Number     TAT
<S>                 <C>         <C>                      <C>                 <C>

</TABLE>
***


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<PAGE>   20

                                    CF6-80C2

                                  APPENDIX "D"

                              MCPH PRICE ADJUSTMENT

I.    For the purpose of this Appendix D, the following definitions apply:

      A.    ***

            During the first one hundred twenty (120) months of this Agreement,
            and solely for those Engines covered by this Agreement during ***,
            prices for any *** shall be adjusted in accordance with the
            following formula:

                                      ***

      B.    ***

      C.    Cumulative Labor Index YO = ((Labor Index YO-1/Labor Index BY-1) -1)

      D.    ***

      E.    BY = Base Year , which shall be ***

      F.    ***

      G.    ***

      H.    ***

      I.    ***


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<PAGE>   21

Appendix "D" (Continued)

      J.    ***

      K.    ***

      L.    ***

      M.    ***

II.   To the extent the term of the Agreement is extended to cover Engines added
      to this Agreement after 1998, and for any periods after the first one
      hundred twenty (120) months of the Agreement, prices for any YO shall be
      adjusted in accordance with the following formula:

                                      ***


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<PAGE>   22

Appendix "D" (Continued)

III.  ***

                                    TABLE "D"

                            PRICE ADJUSTMENT EXAMPLE

***   


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<PAGE>   23

Appendix "D" (Continued)

      ***


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<PAGE>   24

Appendix "D" (Continued)

***


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<PAGE>   25

Appendix "D" (Continued)

      ***


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<PAGE>   26

                                  APPENDIX "E"

                                       ***


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<PAGE>   27

                                  APPENDIX "F"

                    SUPPLEMENTAL WORK DEFINITION AND PRICING

      I.    Supplemental Work shall be specifically excluded from application of
            the MCPH Rate and shall be defined as follows:

            a.    All other services not specifically included in Section 2.,
                  Article I, Paragraph A.of this Agreement.

            b.    Further, Services described in Section 2., Article I,
                  Paragraph A. of this Agreement, shall be identified as
                  Supplemental Work (unless caused by an action of ESI) if it
                  has been determined to ESI's reasonable satisfaction that such
                  Engine or Module requires Repair for, or as a result of:

            ***

      2.    When services are performed during a non-Qualifying Shop Visit which
            are not required as part of the Supplemental Work Repair or would
            otherwise have been performed subsequently as MCPH Repair, the
            parties will negotiate an appropriate allocation of the cost between
            MCPH and Supplemental Work.

II.   Supplemental Work shall be charged on a time and material basis as
      follows:

      A.    Labor

            1.    Direct labor shall be charged in accordance with Appendix
                  "F-1".


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<PAGE>   28

Appendix "F" (Continued)

      2.    All other direct labor performed by ESI at ESI's facility shall be
            charged at *** per Man Hour.

      3.    For Services performed at a ESI or ESI affiliate On-Wing Support
            facility or for Services performed, at the direction of Buyer, at a
            location other than a ESI facility direct labor, including travel to
            and from the employee's home or normal place of work as applicable,
            until arrival at destination temporary living quarters or place of
            work shall be charged as follows:

                  Straight Time                         ***

                  Straight Time is defined as the first eight (8) hours charged
                  Monday through Friday (except holidays) providing a minimum of
                  eight (8) hours break has occurred since the last time
                  charged.

                  Overtime                              ***

                  Overtime is defined as all time charged other than Straight
                  Time.

      4.    ***

B.    Material

      1.    ESI furnished Material required for Repair of Buyer's Equipment
            shall be charged as follows and is subject to the additional fee
            denoted in Paragraph 2., below:

            a.    New piece Parts and any other ESI furnished new Material will
                  be priced in accordance with the then current CF6-80C2 Engine
                  Spare Parts Price Catalog, or applicable manufacturer's list
                  price.

            b.    Used Serviceable piece Parts and any other ESI furnished used
                  Serviceable Material will be priced at *** of the then current
                  CF6-80C2 Engine Spare Parts Price Catalog, or applicable
                  manufacturer's list price.

            c     Bench Stock will be priced in accordance with Appendix "G"
                  attached hereto.

            d.    Fuel and lube will be priced ***.

      2.    ESI furnished Material will be charged to Buyer at the prices
            specified above *** fee with a maximum fee of ***. Maximum fees are
            effective for 1998 and will be adjusted January 1 of each year at
            the same rate as manufacturer/supplier escalation.


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<PAGE>   29

Appendix "F" (Continued)

      3.    Rotable/Exchange Inventory

            a.    Rotable Inventory Usage

                  1)    ESI-furnished Rotable piece Parts installed in Buyer's
                        Equipment during Repair shall be assessed a Rotable fee
                        equal ***. Maximum fees for Rotable Inventory are
                        effective for 1998 and will be adjusted January 1 of
                        each year at the same rate as manufacturer/supplier
                        escalation.

                  2)    Buyer agrees to accept compatible Rotable piece Parts
                        that are updated to the then-current Service Bulletin
                        Baseline which is the configuration used by the majority
                        of ESI's customers operating the CF6-80C2B1F Engine.

                  3)    Rotable Parts fee, if applicable, will be canceled and
                        Buyer will be charged for replenishment of ESI-furnished
                        Rotable Parts inventory if Buyer's trade-in Equipment is
                        determined to be non-repairable after ESI-furnished
                        Rotable Parts have been installed/shipped on Buyer's
                        Equipment as follows:

                        a)    Replacement charge for used Serviceable Parts
                              other than Ultimate Life Parts will be invoiced at
                              the then-current CF6-80C2 Spare Parts Price
                              Catalog list price, if replacement is with a new
                              Part or at *** of the then current CF6-80C2 Engine
                              Spare Parts Price Catalog, or applicable
                              manufacturer's list price, if the replacement is
                              with a used Serviceable Part.

                        b)    Replacement charge for new Parts will be invoiced
                              at the then-current CF6-80C2 Spare Parts Price
                              Catalog list price.

                        c)    All replacement Parts will be assessed applicable
                              Material fees specified in Paragraph II.B.2.,
                              above.

            b.    Inventory Exchange

                  Charges and credits associated with the retirement or exchange
                  of Life-Limited Parts will be as follows:

                  1)    When the remaining Flight Cycles of a repairable
                        Life-Limited Part removed from Buyer's Equipment are
                        less than the remaining Flight Cycles of ESI's
                        Life-Limited Part replacing Buyer's Part, Buyer will be
                        charged the difference.

                  2)    Conversely, when the remaining Flight Cycles of a
                        repairable Life-Limited Part removed from Buyer's
                        Equipment are in excess of the remaining Flight Cycles
                        of ESI's Life-Limited Part replacing Buyer's part, ESI
                        shall credit Buyer the difference.


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<PAGE>   30

Appendix "F" (Continued)

                  3)    The charge or credit for such difference shall be
                        determined as follows:

                        a)    ***

                        b)    Multiply the resulting value per cycle by the
                              difference described in paragraphs 1) and 2),
                              above.

C.    Subcontractor

      Work subcontracted by ESI (excluding work subcontracted to another ESI
      component) will be charged to Buyer at vendor charges plus a *** per
      vendor invoice.

D.    Engine Test

      1.    Test cell usage will be charged to Buyer at a fixed price *** per
            Engine test, plus fuel, oil and other Material.

      2.    Test rejections resulting from: (1) non-compliance with agreed upon
            Workscope; or, (2) ESI's workmanship shall be at ESI's expense.

      3.    Test cell charges incurred at Buyer's request for over and above the
            agreed upon Workscope shall be invoiced to the Buyer.

      4.    Testing done on an overtime basis, at the direction of the Buyer,
            ***.

      5.    Engine test prices in subparagraphs 1. and 4., above, will be
            subject to adjustment consistent with the provisions of Paragraph
            A.4., above.

E.    Specific Equipment Repair

      Specific Equipment Repairs performed at ESI service shops shall be charged
      in accordance with the then current Component Repair Directory.

F.    On-Site Support

      For Services performed at a site other than the designated Repair
      facility, at the direction of Buyer, Buyer agrees to pay additional
      applicable charges, including but not limited to, travel and living
      expenses, shipping charges for tooling, materials, facility charges, etc.


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<PAGE>   31

                                 APPENDIX "F-1"

                                FIXED PRICE LABOR
                                       ***

Labor associated with routine Disassembly, Cleaning, Visual/Dimensional
Inspection, Non-destructive Testing, Grinding, Reassembly, Test, and Ship shall
be invoiced as follows. Serviceability inspections of Modules and EMU's are not
included below, except as stated. Serviceability inspections for all other items
will be accomplished at the Time and Material Rate specified in this proposal.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WORKSCOPE ITEM                                                       PRICE (US$)
- --------------                                                       -----------
<S>                                                                 <C>
BASIC ENGINE
Incoming Inspection (Basic)                                          ***
Incoming Inspection with QEC                                         ***
PTT and Incoming Diagnostic Test                                     ***
Engine Final Assembly                                                ***
Engine Final Assembly (with QEC)                                     ***
PTT and Post Repair Performance Test                                 ***
Prep To Ship                                                         ***

GEARBOX MODULE
Remove and Install Accessory Gearbox                                 ***
Disassemble and Reassemble Module (No C&A Removal)                   ***
Remove and Install Transfer Gearbox                                  ***
Remove and Install Horizontal Drive                                  ***
Remove and Install Radial Drive                                      ***
Remove and Install Inlet Gearbox                                     ***

LPT MODULE
Remove and Install LPT Module                                        ***
Disassemble and Reassemble LPT Module to EMU's                       ***
Disassemble and Reassemble LPT Rotor                                 ***
Disassemble and Reassemble Turbine Rear Frame                        ***

HPT MODULE
Remove and Install HPT Module                                        *** 
Remove and Install HPT Rotor and Stage 2 Nozzle                      *** 
Disassemble and Reassemble HPT Module to EMU's                       *** 
Disassemble and Reassemble HPT Rotor                                 *** 
Disassemble and Reassemble HPT Stage 2 Nozzle EMU                    *** 
Disassemble and Reassembly HPT Stage 1 Nozzle EMU                    *** 

HPC MODULE
Remove and Install HPC Module                                        ***
Disassemble and Reassemble HPC Module to EMU's                       ***
Disassemble and Reassemble HPC Rotor                                 ***
Disassemble and Reassemble HPC Forward and Rear Cases                ***
Disassemble and Reassemble Compressor Rear Frame                     ***
</TABLE>


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<PAGE>   32

                               CF6-80C (continued)
                                FIXED PRICE LABOR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WORKSCOPE ITEM                                                       PRICE (US$)
- --------------                                                       -----------
<S>                                                                 <C>
FAN MODULE
Remove and Install Stage 1 Fan Blades and Hardware                   ***
Recontour Stage 1 Fan Blades                                         ***
Restore E12/13 Clearances                                            ***
Remove and Install Stage 1 Fan Disk                                  ***
Processing Stage 1 Fan Disk                                          ***
Remove and Install External Hardware and C&A                         ***
Remove and Install Fan Booster Assembly                              ***
Disassemble and Reassemble Fan Booster Cases                         ***
Disassemble and Reassemble Fan Booster Rotor                         ***
Remove and Install Fan Mid-Shaft EMU                                 ***
Remove and Install Fan Shaft                                         ***
Remove and Install Control Adapter                                   ***
Remove and Install OGV's                                             ***
Remove and Install Fan Frame                                         ***
Disassemble and Reassemble Fan Cases                                 ***

OTHER COMMON WORKSCOPES

MODULE SERVICEABILITY INSPECTIONS
              Fan Module                                             ***
              LPT Module                                             ***
              HPC Module                                             ***
EMU SERVICEABILITY INSPECTIONS
              LPT Cases                                              ***
              Turbine Rear Frame                                     ***
OTHER SERVICEABILITY INSPECTIONS
              HPC Cases                                              ***
              HPC Rotor                                              ***
              Compressor Rear Frame                                  ***
AGB PARTIAL WORKSCOPES
              Remove and Install Accessories from Gearbox            ***
              Replace AGB Carbon Seals                               ***
GEARBOX REPAIR WORKSCOPES
              Disassemble, Repair, and Reassemble Transfer Gearbox   ***
              Disassemble, Repair, and Reassemble Inlet Gearbox      ***
              Disassemble, Repair, and Reassemble Accessory Gearbox  ***
HPC PARTIAL WORKSCOPES
              Top Case (Basic Engine)                                ***
              Top Case ( with QEC)                                   ***
              Reblade and Regrind HPC Rotor Exposed                  ***
HPT PARTIAL WORKSCOPE
              Reblade and Regrind HPT Rotor Exposed                  ***
</TABLE>


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<PAGE>   33

                                  APPENDIX "G"

                                   BENCH STOCK
        (Prices are in 1998 dollars and shall be adjusted consistent with
                   year-to-year average pricing changes in the
                         CF6-80C2 Spare Parts Catalog)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     Price ***
                                                                     ---------
<S>                                                                  <C>
Complete Engine                                                      ***

External Hardware                                                    ***

Core Module                                                          ***
           HPC Rotor                                                 ***
           HPC Case                                                  ***
           HPC Rear Frame                                            ***
           HPC Module Build-UP                                       ***

High Pressure Turbine Module                                         ***
           HPT Stage 1 Nozzle                                        ***
           HPT Rotor                                                 ***
           HPT Stage 2 Nozzle                                        ***
           HPT Module Build-Up                                       ***

Low Pressure Turbine Module                                          ***
           LPT Rotor and Stator                                      ***
           Turbine Rear Frame                                        ***
           LPT Module Build-Up                                       ***

Fan Module                                                           ***
           Fan Rotor                                                 ***
           Fan Stator                                                ***
           Fan Frame and Case                                        ***
           Fan Mid-Shaft                                             ***
           Fan Module Build-Up                                       ***
           Inlet Gearbox                                             ***

Gearbox Module                                                       ***
           Transfer Gearbox                                          ***
           Accessory Gearbox                                         ***
           Module Build-Up                                           ***
</TABLE>

Bench Stock consists of the low value consumable/expendable Material ***
required for the assembly of the various "items" of Equipment. Bench Stock
Materials will not be listed in detail on the bill of materials supplied with
the invoice for the Equipment Repaired.


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<PAGE>   34

Attachment "A" (Continued)

                                 ATTACHMENT "A"

                                       ***


MCPH     March, 1998          ESI PROPRIETARY INFORMATION     Attachment "A" - 2
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<PAGE>   35

Attachment "A" (Continued)


MCPH     March, 1998          ESI PROPRIETARY INFORMATION     Attachment "A" - 3
               Subject to restrictions on the cover or first page


<PAGE>   36

                                 ATTACHMENT "I"

                              TERMS AND CONDITIONS

I.    TERMINATION

      A.    This Agreement may be terminated:

            1.    Buyer will terminate this Agreement in the event Buyer sells
                  or leases or ceases to lease, all or substantially all of
                  Buyer's Fleet of Equipment covered by this Agreement. In the
                  event Buyer terminates this Agreement for this reason, the
                  termination shall only be effective after one hundred and
                  eighty (180) days have elapsed after written notification to
                  ESI, but in no case prior to end of the calendar year in which
                  the termination notification has been issued.

            2.    In the event that the payments by Buyer to ESI provided for in
                  this Agreement are not made within the time periods specified
                  herein, ESI may, at its option, suspend performance hereunder
                  and any expenses incurred by ESI in connection with
                  performance hereunder in accordance with this Agreement prior
                  to such suspension shall be payable by Buyer promptly upon
                  notice thereof by ESI. If such non-payment is not rectified by
                  Buyer within five (5) days upon such notice thereof, ESI may
                  terminate this Agreement. Any delays by ESI as a result of
                  such suspension of performance shall be considered an
                  excusable delay under Paragraph IV., "Excusable Delay" below.

            3.    Upon the commencement of any bankruptcy or reorganization
                  proceeding by or against either party hereto (the "Defaulting
                  Party"), the other party may, upon written notice to the
                  Defaulting Party, cease to perform any or all of its
                  obligations under this Agreement (including, without
                  limitation, work in progress and deliveries) unless the
                  Defaulting Party shall provide adequate assurance, in the
                  opinion of the other party, that the Defaulting Party will
                  continue to perform all of its obligations under this
                  Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof, and will
                  promptly compensate the other party hereto for any actual loss
                  resulting from the Defaulting Party being unable to perform in
                  full its obligations hereunder.

            4.    By either party upon written notice to the other party in the
                  event of default of the other party of any of its obligations
                  under this Agreement, and in the event that such default is
                  not cured within sixty (60) days of the notice.

            5.    ***

      B.    In the event this Agreement is terminated: (a) ESI shall, upon
            receipt of Buyer's written request, promptly deliver all Buyer's
            Equipment, Parts and related documentation to Buyer; and, (b) ESI
            shall, at ESI's option, (i) invoice Buyer, in accordance with the
            Supplemental Work provisions, for all work performed by ESI on
            Buyer's Equipment prior to the date of termination or (ii) consider
            MCPH payments made or owing at the time of termination, including
            any amounts due pursuant to Appendix "D", including interest
            payments, to be payment in full. Should ESI exercise option (i),
            above, the Invoice will show either an amount to be paid by Buyer
            within thirty (30) days of the date of invoice or a credit due
            Buyer, calculated from a comparison of MCPH payments received by ESI
            and the Supplemental Work invoice amount.

      C.    All rights and obligations of the parties hereto created pursuant to
            the provisions of this Agreement shall survive the expiration,
            termination or cancellation of this Agreement by either party until
            all such rights and obligations have been fully and satisfactorily
            completed.


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<PAGE>   37

II.   TITLE, DELIVERY AND RISK OF LOSS

      Parts, Material, labor and associated overhead incorporated into Buyer's
      Equipment, as required in performing Services on Buyer's Equipment
      hereunder, shall be deemed to have been sold to Buyer, and title to such
      Parts and Services thereon shall pass to Buyer upon assignment of such
      parts, materials, labor and associated overhead to Buyer's Equipment. Risk
      of loss or damage to such parts and work thereon shall pass to Buyer upon
      Redelivery to Buyer. Title to and risk of loss of or damage to any parts
      removed from Buyer's Equipment, which are replaced by other parts, shall
      pass to ESI upon removal of such parts from Buyer's Equipment. Risk of
      loss of or damage to Buyer's Equipment shall rest with ESI while located
      at ESI's facility after Delivery and prior to Redelivery. Final acceptance
      of Redelivered Equipment shall be at ESI's facility.

III.  LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

   
      A.    The total liability of ESI, including its subcontractors or
            suppliers, on any and all claims, whether in contract, warranty,
            tort (including negligence, but specifically excluding gross
            negligence or willful misconduct), products liability, patent
            infringement, or otherwise, arising out of, connected with, or
            resulting from this Agreement or from the performance or breach
            thereof, or the use, possession, operation, or maintenance of the
            Repaired Equipment shall in no case shall in no case exceed the then
            current purchase price for a comparable replacement for the
            Equipment which gives rise to the claim. This provision shall not be
            construed as relieving ESI of any of its obligations otherwise
            required by this Agreement.

      B.    In no event, whether as a result of breach of contract, warranty, 
            tort (including negligence, but specifically excluding gross
            negligence or willful misconduct), products liability, patent
            infringement, or otherwise, shall ESI, or its subcontractors or
            suppliers, be liable for any special, consequential, incidental,
            indirect, or exemplary damages, including but not limited to, loss
            of profit or revenues, loss of use of the Repaired items or any
            associated Equipment, cost of capital, facilities, services,
            downtime costs or claims of Buyers customers for such damages.
    

IV.   EXCUSABLE DELAY

      A.    ESI and Buyer shall be excused from, and shall not be liable for,
            any delays in its performance or failure to perform hereunder and
            shall not be deemed to be in default for any failure of performance
            hereunder due to causes beyond its control. Such causes shall be
            conclusively deemed to include, but not be limited to, acts of God,
            acts (or failure to act) of the Buyer or ESI, acts (or failure to
            act) of civil or military authority, government priorities, fires,
            strikes, labor disputes, work stoppage, floods, epidemics, war
            (declared or undeclared), riot, delays in transportation or
            inability to obtain on a timely basis necessary labor, materials, or
            components. In the event of any such delay, the date of performance
            shall be extended for a period equal to the time lost by reason of
            the delay. This provision shall not, however, relieve ESI from using
            commercially reasonable efforts to avoid or remove such causes and
            continue performance with reasonable dispatch whenever such causes
            are removed. ESI shall promptly notify Buyer when such delays occur
            or impending delays are likely to occur and shall continue to advise
            it of new performance schedules and changes relating thereto. If and
            to the extent that ESI is prevented from performing under this
            Agreement by any of the foregoing causes, Buyer shall be permitted
            to obtain the Repair of the Equipment from other sources, but only
            until ESI is again able to perform hereunder.

      B.    Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph A., above, if any delay
            resulting from any of the foregoing causes extends for more than one
            hundred eighty (180) days and the parties have not agreed upon a
            revised basis for continuing the performance hereunder at the end of
            the delay, including reimbursement of ESI costs resulting from such
            delay, then either party, upon thirty (30) days written notice, may
            terminate this Agreement.


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<PAGE>   38

V.    TAXES

      A.    In addition to the price to be paid by Buyer hereunder, Buyer shall
            pay to ESI, or furnish to ESI evidence of exemption therefrom, taxes
            (including, without limitation, sales, use, excise, property,
            turnover, or value added taxes), duties, fees, charges, or
            assessments (but excluding taxes in the nature of income taxes),
            legally assessed or levied by governmental authority against ESI, or
            its employees, its subsidiaries, or their employees, as a result of
            any sale, delivery, transfer, use, export, import, or possession of
            repaired Equipment, under this Agreement. If claim is made against
            ESI for such taxes, duties, fees, charges, or assessments, ESI shall
            immediately notify Buyer; and if requested by Buyer, ESI shall not
            pay except under protest, and if payment is made, shall use all
            reasonable effort to obtain a refund thereof. If all, or any part,
            of such taxes, duties, fees, charges, or assessments be refunded,
            ESI shall repay to Buyer such part thereof as Buyer shall have paid.
            Buyer shall pay to ESI, upon demand, all expenses (including
            penalties and interest) incurred by ESI in protesting payment and in
            endeavoring to obtain such refund. ***

      ***

VI.   NOTICES

      Any notice under this Agreement shall become effective upon receipt and
      shall be in writing delivered or sent by mail or electronic transmission
      to the respective parties at the following addresses, which may be changed
      by written notice:

             To Buyer:                                To ESI:

             _________________________          GE Aircraft Engines
             _________________________          GE Engine Services
             _________________________          1 Neumann Way, MD/S-95
             _________________________          Cincinnati, Ohio  45215

             Attention: _________________       Attention: MCPH Manager

                                                with a copy to:         
                                                GE Aircraft Engines     
                                                GE Engine Services      
                                                Attn:  General Manager  
                                                1 Neumann Way, MD/S-95  
                                                Cincinnati, Ohio  45215 


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<PAGE>   39

VII.  GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS

      A.    Buyer shall be importer and exporter of record and shall be
            responsible for the timely application for, obtainment and
            maintenance of any required governmental authorizations such as
            import licenses, export licenses, exchange permits, or any other
            required governmental authorization. ESI shall not be liable if any
            authorization is delayed, denied, revoked, restricted, or not
            renewed and Buyer shall not thereby be relieved of its obligation to
            pay ESI for its work performed and any other charges which are the
            obligation of Buyer hereunder.

      B.    All products (including technical data delivered hereunder) shall at
            all times be subject to the Export Administration Regulations and or
            International Traffic in Arms Regulations of the United States of
            America and any amendments thereof. Buyer agrees that it shall not
            make any unauthorized disposition of United States of America-origin
            Equipment (including technical data) provided by ESI through
            trans-shipment, re-export, diversion, or otherwise, other than in
            and to the country of ultimate destination specified in Buyer's
            order or declared as the country of ultimate destination on ESI's
            invoices, except as United States laws and regulations may permit.

VIII. JURISDICTION

      The validity, performance, and all matters relating to the interpretation
      and effect of this Agreement and any amendment thereto shall be
      interpreted in all respects in accordance with the laws of the State of
      New York and, in the event of any unresolved dispute, Buyer agrees to
      submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court for
      the Southern District of New York. The United Nations Convention on
      Contracts for the International Sale of Goods is not applicable to this
      Agreement.

IX.   ASSIGNMENT

      Any assignment of this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder by
      either party without the prior written consent of the other party shall be
      void, except that Buyer's consent shall not be required for the
      substitution of an affiliated company of ESI in place of ESI as the
      contracting party to perform any work hereunder. In the event of such
      substitution, Buyer shall be advised thereof in writing. In case of lease,
      by Buyer, of Engines covered by this Agreement, the parties agree that
      rights and obligations under this Agreement shall remain with the Buyer.
      ***

X.    NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES

      This Agreement is for the benefit of the parties hereto and is not for the
      benefit of any third person, firm or corporation and nothing herein
      contained shall be construed to create any rights in or obligations to any
      third parties under, as a result of, or in connection with this Agreement.

XI.   NON-WAIVER

      Any failure by either party to enforce any of the provisions of this
      Agreement or to require at any time performance by the other party of any
      of the provisions hereof shall in no way affect the validity of this
      Agreement or any part hereof, or in the right of the parties thereafter to
      enforce each and every such provision, nor shall ESI actual performance,
      whether or not under this Agreement, be deemed in any way indicative of
      the scope of the obligations of ESI under this Agreement.


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<PAGE>   40

XII.  EXCLUSIVE TERMS

      The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall apply to all written
      authorizations issued by Buyer to ESI for work to be performed under this
      Agreement in lieu of any printed terms thereon or therein and such written
      authorizations shall form a part of this Agreement.

XIII. PARTIAL INVALIDITY

      If any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal,
      or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the
      remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

XIV.  NON-DISCLOSURE

      The parties agree that neither will disclose any of the terms of this
      Agreement nor any information or data provided to either party as a result
      of this Agreement to a third party, without prior written approval of the
      other party except that:

      1.    To the extent required by government agencies and courts for
            official purposes, disclosure may be made to such agencies and
            courts. In such event, a suitable restrictive legend limiting
            further disclosure shall be applied.

      2.    The existence of the Agreement and its general purpose only may be
            stated to others by either of the parties without approval from the
            other.

XV.   CONTROLLING LANGUAGE

      The English language shall be used in the interpretation and performance
      of this Agreement.

XVI.  HEADINGS

      The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only
      and shall not affect in any way the meaning and interpretation of this
      Agreement.

XVII. WAIVER OF IMMUNITY

      To the extent that Buyer or any of its property is or becomes entitled at
      any time to any immunity on the grounds of sovereignty or otherwise from
      any legal action, suit or proceeding, from set-off or counterclaim, from
      the jurisdiction of any competent court, from service of process, from
      attachment prior to judgement, from attachment in aid of execution, or
      from execution prior to judgement, or other legal process in any
      jurisdiction, Buyer, for itself and its property, does hereby regularly,
      irrevocably and unconditionally waive, and agree not to plead or claim,
      any such immunity with respect to its obligations, liabilities or any
      other matter under or arising out of or in connection with this Agreement
      or the subject matter hereof. Such agreement shall be irrevocable ,not
      subject to withdrawal in any and all jurisdictions, and is made only for
      the express benefit of ESI and its affiliated companies.

XVIII. REPAIR LOCATION

      ESI may perform any work required by this Agreement at any of its FAA
      approved Repair Facilities.


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<PAGE>   41

XIX.  INFORMATION AND DATA

      All information and data (including, but not limited to, designs,
      drawings, blueprints, tracings, plans, models, layouts, specifications and
      memoranda, but excluding shop visit record information and data) which may
      be furnished or made available to one party hereto by the other party
      hereto, directly or indirectly as the result of this Agreement shall
      remain the property of the disclosing party. The information and data
      shall neither be used by the receiving party, nor furnished to any other
      person, firm or corporation, for the design or manufacture of any
      equipment or part, nor permitted out of the receiving party's possession,
      nor divulged to any other person, firm or corporation, except as herein
      provided. Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude the receiving party
      from using or furnishing to others information and data necessary to
      effect any contract or arrangement under which this is to be performed for
      the receiving party, by others, modification, overhaul, or maintenance
      work on the Equipment, their parts or accessories. The instrument by which
      the receiving party transfers any Equipment may permit the use of such
      data by its transferee, subject to the same limitation set forth above,
      and shall preserve to the disclosing party the right to enforce such
      limitation.

XX.   WARRANTY

      ***

XXI.  PATENTS

      A.    Except as provided for in Article III., "Limitation of Liability"
            above, ESI shall handle all claims and defend any suit or proceeding
            brought against Buyer insofar as based on a claim that, without
            further combination, any Equipment or any part thereof manufactured
            by ESI and furnished hereunder constitutes an infringement of any
            patent of the United States or of any other country that is
            signatory to Article 27 of the Convention on International Civil
            Aviation signed by the United States at Chicago on December 7, 1944,
            if notified promptly in writing and given authority, information and
            assistance (at ESI's expense) for the defense of same. In case such
            Equipment, or any part thereof, is in such suit held to constitute
            infringement and the use of said Equipment or part thereof is
            enjoined, ESI shall, at its own expense, and at its option, either
            procure for Buyer the right to continue using said Equipment or part
            thereof; or replace same with non-infringing Equipment or modify it
            so it becomes non-infringing; or remove said Equipment and refund
            the purchase price (less reasonable depreciation) thereof. The
            foregoing shall constitute the sole remedy of Buyer and the sole
            liability of ESI for Patent infringement.

      B.    The preceding paragraph shall not apply to any Equipment, or any
            part thereof, manufactured to Buyer's design. As to such Equipment,
            or any part thereof, ESI assumes no liability whatsoever for patent
            infringement.

      C.    With respect to any Equipment, or part thereof, furnished hereunder
            which is not manufactured by ESI, only the patent indemnity of the
            manufacturer, if any, shall apply.


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<PAGE>   1
                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.115

                          ENGINE MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT

                                     Between

                                 ATLAS AIR, INC.

                                       and

                            GE ENGINE SERVICES, INC.

      Portions of this document have been redacted and confidential treatment
      has been requested for these portions from the Securities and Exchange
      Commission. Redacted portions are indicated by "***".

                            Proposal No. ESI-98-0051

                                   March, 1998

             This Proposal Shall Remain Valid Through March 15, 1998

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         PROPRIETARY INFORMATION NOTICE

The information contained in this document is ESI Proprietary Information and is
disclosed in confidence. It is the property of ESI and shall not be used,
disclosed to others, or reproduced without the express written consent of ESI.
If consent is given for reproduction in whole or in part, this notice and the
notice set forth on each page of this document shall appear on any such
reproduction, in whole or in part. The information contained in this document
may also be controlled by the U.S. export control laws. Unauthorized export or
re-export is prohibited.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>   2

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

Article              Description                                        Page
- -------              -----------                                        ----

                Title Page                                                 i
                Proprietary Information Legend                            ii
                Table of Contents                                        iii
                Recitals                                                  iv

                Section 1 - Commercial Terms

   I.           Introduction                                             1-1
   II.          Price and Price Adjustment                               1-1
   III.         Terms of Payment                                         1-3

                Section 2 - Technical

   I.           Scope of Work                                            2-1
   II.          ESI Obligations                                          2-1
   III.         Buyer Obligations                                        2-4
   IV.          ***                                                      2-6
   V.           Term of Agreement                                        2-6
   VI.          Entire Agreement and Amendments                          2-7

                Section 3 - Appendices

   A.           Glossary                                                 3-A-1
   B.           Engine Serial Numbers and Aircraft Delivery Schedule     3-B-1
   C.           ***                                                      3-C-1
   D.           MCPH Price Adjustment                                    3-D-1
   E.           ***                                                      3-E-1
   F.           Supplemental Work Definition and Pricing                 3-F-1
   F-1          Fixed Price Labor                                        3-F-1-1
   G.           Bench Stock Pricing                                      3-G-1

Attachment A: ***

Attachment I: Terms and Conditions


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<PAGE>   3

                    CF6-80C2B5F ENGINE MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT, by and between GE Engine Services, Inc., a corporation organized
and existing under the law of the State of Delaware, U.S.A. and having an office
in Cincinnati, Ohio, ("ESI"), and Atlas Air, Inc., a corporation organized under
the law of Delaware, with its principal place of business at Building 243, John
F. Kennedy International Airport, Jamaica, New York, USA ("Buyer").

                                    RECITALS

WHEREAS, ESI, maintains and operates an approved United States Federal Aviation
Administration ("FAA") Repair Station holding Certificate No.: PR3R772L for the
repair, maintenance, overhaul, modification, and functional testing of aircraft
engines, engine accessories, parts, and components thereof; and

WHEREAS, Buyer has expressed its desire to have ESI perform modification and/or
repair services and/or refurbishment services ("Services") on Buyer's
CF6-80C2B5F Engines, Engine Modules, Engine Maintenance Units, and Engine Parts,
which Engines, Engine Modules, Engine Maintenance Units, and Engine Parts are
hereinafter sometimes referred to respectively as the "Engines," "Modules,"
"EMU's," and "Parts," or collectively as the "Equipment",

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual covenants and
conditions herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:


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<PAGE>   4

                          SECTION 1 - COMMERCIAL TERMS

                            ARTICLE I. - INTRODUCTION

A.    Coverage

      This Engine Maintenance Agreement ("the Agreement") will cover the
      maintenance of CF6-80C2B5F Engines operated by Buyer in its B747-400
      aircraft fleet ("Eligible Engines") as follows:

      1.    Services covered on a Maintenance Cost Per Hour ("MCPH") basis as
            specified in Section 2 - Article I., "Scope of Work", Paragraph A.,
            below; and,

      2.    Other Services covered on a Time and Material ("T&M") basis and
            defined in Appendix "F" as "Supplemental Work", below.

      3.    This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect to achieve one
            hundred twenty (120) months coverage under this Agreement for
            individual Engines added on or after the Effective Date in
            accordance with the provisions of Section 2 - Article V., below,
            unless extended by mutual agreement. Services set forth in this
            Agreement shall commence thirty (30) days after the Effective Date.

B.    Specification

      Buyer's CF6-80C2B5F Engines will be inspected, Repaired, modified, and
      tested in accordance with ESI's MCPH Engine Repair Specification in
      coordination with FAA approved manufacturer's Engine Manuals and Service
      Bulletins and other associated technical documents.

C.    Configuration

      Buyer and ESI shall mutually define an external Equipment configuration
      specification for Equipment to be covered under this Agreement.

                    ARTICLE II. - PRICE AND PRICE ADJUSTMENT

A.    Contract Parameters

      The MCPH Rate is predicated on the parameters set forth below:

      1.    A fleet of ten (10) new B747-400 aircraft, powered by new
            CF6-80C2B5F Engines, to be identified by serial number and estimated
            to be delivered as set forth in Appendix "B" attached hereto,
            operated by Buyer for the duration of this Agreement, provided that
            Buyer takes delivery of at least two (2) aircraft per year beginning
            in 1998 and takes delivery of at least ten (10) aircraft by the end
            of 2001. In addition these parameters will apply to up to ten (10)
            optional aircraft which may be acquired by Buyer.

      2.    ***

      3.    ***

      4.    ***


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<PAGE>   5

Article II. (Continued)

      5.    A route structure which includes not more than *** of total takeoffs
            and landings by aircraft contemplated by this Agreement in Africa,
            the Middle East, India, and Mexico. Should Buyer exceed the ***
            threshold, Buyer shall ***, per aircraft in the covered fleet per
            year for each percentage point (rounded to the next whole percentage
            point) in excess of the threshold. Should Buyer exercise the option
            to include additional Engines under this Agreement, the threshold
            for those option Engines shall be *** The parties shall evaluate
            route structure data quarterly and reconcile any payments due for
            Buyer operation in excess of the threshold during January of each
            year.

      The parameters set forth in Paragraphs 2. through 5. above will be
      evaluated by ESI and Buyer quarterly. Buyer shall provide information
      relative to Engines covered by this Agreement, at ESI's request, including
      (but not limited to information available through ACARS) in accordance
      with a mutually agreed upon format. In addition to the adjustment
      specified in Paragraph A.7., below, should Buyer deviate from the
      parameters specified above, the Base Price per Engine Flying Hour ("EFH")
      the parties shall negotiate an equitable adjustment thereto. Such
      adjustment shall apply to all future EFH until a subsequent adjustment
      occurs.

      6.    Line Maintenance performed by Buyer, as set forth in Section 2.,
            Article III., Paragraph A.6.

      7.    Engine spares and Equipment quantity as set forth in Section 2 -
            Article II., below, for Buyer's Fleet of Ten (10) B747-400 Aircraft.

B.    Base Pricing

      The Base Year for Prices specified in this Agreement is ***. All Base
      Prices(s) are stated in United States Dollars per EFH.

C.    MCPH Rate

      1.    Base Price

            Base Prices are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       Basic Engine Price Per EFH             Basic Engine Price Per EFH
       Engine Year     For 4,500 EFH Annual Utilization       For 5,200 EFH Annual Utilization
       -----------     --------------------------------       --------------------------------
       
       <S>                           <C>                                      <C>
       Years 1-2                     ***                                       ***
       Years 3-4                     ***                                       ***
       Years 5-6                     ***                                       ***
       Years 7-10                    ***                                       ***
</TABLE>

            MCPH rate is applicable on all EFH covered by this Agreement
            commencing with the Effective Date of the Agreement and the term
            "MCPH Rate" may be used to refer to the Basic Engine Price Per EFH.
            Basic Engine Price includes ***


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<PAGE>   6

Article II (Continued)

      2.    Price Adjustment

            The Base Price shall be adjusted for fluctuation of the economy as
            described in Appendix "D", MCPH Price Adjustment, hereto. ***

D.    Supplemental Work Price

      Supplemental Work shall be charged shall be charged as set forth in
      Appendix "F", hereto.

E.    Addition or Removal of Engines

      1.    Addition of Engines under this Agreement shall be as follows:

            a.    Engines over and above those contemplated by Paragraph A.1. of
                  this Article II., which are transitioned into the Buyer fleet
                  after the execution of this Agreement, will be included at
                  Buyer's written request and ESI's concurrence. Such written
                  request shall include Engine serial number, aircraft
                  identification (including previous owner), TSN, TSLV, CSN,
                  CSLV and Component identification by serial number.

            b.    New Engines may be added to MCPH at the pricing set forth in
                  Paragraph C.1., as adjusted in accordance with Paragraph C.2
                  of this Article II. New Engines are defined as those with ***
                  flying hours or less since new.

            c.    Used Engines may be added to MCPH after such used Engine has
                  been Redelivered to Buyer after Buyer has Delivered the used
                  Engine to ESI for a full performance restoration workscope
                  (restoration of combustor, compressor, and HPT) shop visit,
                  using the MCPH Repair Specification, on a Supplemental Work
                  basis. At that time, the parties must agree as to the Engine
                  Year, as contemplated in Paragraph C.1. of this Article II.,
                  applicable to that Engine as it enters the MCPH program. Such
                  determination shall be based upon cycles since new and number
                  of shop visits for such added Engines.

      2.    Removal of Engines from this Agreement shall be as follows:

            Selection of Engines to be phased out of this Agreement prior to one
            hundred twenty (120) months coverage under this Agreement shall be
            mutually agreed upon by ESI and Buyer. ESI and Buyer shall negotiate
            any adjustment to the MCPH Rate and/or credits, if applicable.


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<PAGE>   7

                         ARTICLE III. - TERMS OF PAYMENT

A.    MCPH:

      Buyer shall remit to ESI, ***, an amount equivalent to the actual EFH for
      each Aircraft in Buyer's fleet for the preceding month, multiplied by the
      applicable MCPH rate as adjusted in accordance with the provisions of
      Appendix "D". ***

B.    All payments hereunder shall be made in United States Dollars via
      electronic funds transfer to the account of ESI at:

                            Pittsburgh National Bank
                              Account No. 2-158944
                                 ABA # 043000096
                            Pittsburgh PA 15264-0950

C.    Subject to ESI's then current credit and collection status for the Buyer,
      or, in the event Buyer's account becomes delinquent, ESI reserves the
      right to impose different terms of payment and collection.

D.    Payment for any Services performed by ESI as Supplemental Work, performed
      pursuant to the provisions of Appendix "F" Paragraph II., or as a result
      of route structure adjustments as contemplated by Section 1., Article II.,
      Paragraph A.7. of this Agreement, shall be made by Buyer within thirty
      (30) days after date of invoice. Any disputed invoiced amounts withheld by
      Buyer shall be resolved by the parties and, upon resolution, shall be paid
      within thirty (30) days of such resolution. Undisputed invoiced amounts
      shall be due thirty (30) days after the date of the initial invoice.


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<PAGE>   8

                              SECTION 2 - TECHNICAL

                           ARTICLE I. - SCOPE OF WORK

A.    Scope of MCPH:

      1.    MCPH Qualifying Shop Visits

            Buyer's Engines meeting any of the following criteria shall be
            eligible for maintenance on a MCPH basis ("Qualifying Shop Visit"):

            a.    The shop visit is necessary to correct a known defect,
                  failure, or performance deterioration which is beyond service
                  limits and cannot be corrected on-wing (See Paragraph e.,
                  below).

            b.    The shop visit is necessary to comply with an Airworthiness
                  Directive issued by the FAA or with recommendations contained
                  in GE's Mandatory Compliance Service Bulletins.

            c.    The shop visit is necessary to comply with a ESI written
                  recommendation requiring shop visits of Engines at scheduled
                  intervals.

            d.    The shop visit is necessary to replace Life Limited Parts
                  ("LLP").

            e.    The shop visit is necessary because troubleshooting in
                  accordance with the applicable Engine Maintenance Manual by
                  Buyer on-wing could not resolve the problem. Such Qualifying
                  Shop Visits shall be included as MCPH Qualifying Shop Visits
                  if ESI's designated Senior Field Service Representative or his
                  duly authorized alternate is in agreement that required
                  maintenance could not reasonably have been accomplished
                  on-wing.

            f.    The shop visit occurs as maintenance for convenience with
                  prior written concurrence from ESI.

                          ARTICLE II. - ESI OBLIGATIONS

A.    Services to be provided by ESI for Qualifying Shop Visits and other MCPH
      Support are:

      1.    Except as provided for in Paragraph 1.c., below and as specified in
            Appendix "F", provide all labor, Materials, and Parts (new or
            Repaired Serviceable) whether the effort is performed at ESI's
            facility, an off-site location, or subcontracted, for refurbishment
            or Repair necessary to:

            a.    Return an Engine to Serviceable condition, ***.

            b.    Repair or replace damaged LLP. Note: LLP replaced for life
                  expiration is not included in the MCPH Rate.


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Article II. (Continued)

            c.    Comply with basic Engine Airworthiness Directives ("AD"),
                  issued by the FAA, and GE Mandatory Compliance Service
                  Bulletins; ***

            d.    Repair "Other FOD" ( as defined in Appendix "A").

            e.    ***

            f.    ***

      2.    Perform out station Repairs, which may otherwise require a shop
            visit, at ESI's option, to avoid a shop visit at ESI's designated
            Repair facility.

      3.    Services associated with the purchase, warehousing and control of
            Rotable Inventory or use of Rotable Parts used to support Qualifying
            Shop Visits.

      4.    All labor, Material and fees associated with Engine testing or use
            of test cell, including fuel and oil for Qualifying Shop Visits.

      5.    ESI will assign a Program Manager who will be the point of contact
            for Buyer with respect to Services specified in this Agreement. The
            Program Manager will be responsible for:

            a.    With the assistance of Buyer, defining the work to be
                  accomplished for each Qualifying Shop Visit consistent with
                  the Procedure manual.

            b.    Assisting Buyer with Supplemental Work requirements to be
                  performed under this Agreement.

            c.    Maintaining the necessary liaison between ESI and Buyer.

            d.    Providing Buyer's authorized personnel with reasonable access
                  to Buyer's Equipment, when such Equipment is in ESI's
                  possession, and to the maintenance records related to Buyer's
                  Equipment.

            e.    Developing with Buyer, on a monthly basis, an estimated
                  removal schedule ("ERS") of Buyer's Equipment to be provided
                  to ESI for Repair hereunder. The ERS shall identify by serial
                  number the Engine(s) to be delivered during the following six
                  (6) month period and the general workscope to be performed on
                  each. ESI shall use its best efforts with respect to the
                  accuracy and completeness of the data contained in the ERS.


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<PAGE>   10

Article II. (Continued)

            f.    Ensuring that all routine correspondence from ESI to Buyer
                  relative to the administration of the Agreement, except for
                  formal Notices under Paragraph VI. of Attachment "I" to this
                  Agreement, shall be directed to the attention of:

                                      Atlas Air, Inc.
                                      538 Commons Drive
                                      Golden, Colorado, 80401
                                      Attention: Vice President, Maintenance

      6.    ESI will provide engineering support services for Eligible Engines
            as follows:

            a.    Develop a mutually agreeable maintenance plan, including
                  Repair Specification, and plan for removal and input of
                  Engines into ESI's designated facility as outlined in the
                  Procedure Manual, commencing within thirty (30) days of the
                  Effective Date, to be completed and approved by the FAA prior
                  to Buyer operational service of the aircraft.

            b.    Maintain current files on published CF6-80C2B5F Service
                  Bulletins, engineering specifications, and applicable Repair
                  documents as well as their application and introduction to
                  Buyer's Equipment.

            c.    Notify Buyer of any deviations found to Buyer's configuration
                  specification on Equipment coming into the shop for Repair and
                  request disposition of same.

            d.    Provide Engine test logs and Service Bulletin introduction
                  status for each Engine Redelivered to Buyer.

            e.    Provide a findings report stating any damage detected and
                  Repair(s) accomplished, including photographs, (if any).

      7.    Documentation

            a.    ESI will provide the following records to Buyer in the format
                  specified in the Procedure Manual, at the time the Equipment
                  is Redelivered to Buyer:

                  1)    Major Repair/Alteration Certification FAA No. 337
                        (including AD Compliance).

                  2)    Life Limited Parts Log.

                  3)    Serviceable Tag.

                  4)    Original records and related documentation for all work
                        performed by ESI during Repair. A copy of all such
                        records and related documentation shall be retained by
                        ESI.

                  5)    Incoming Inspection Report.

                  6)    Off/On Log.


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<PAGE>   11

Article II. (Continued)

                  7)    Service Bulletin Status Report.

                  8)    AD Status Report.

                  9)    Test Cell Data Summary Sheet.

            b.    ESI will provide a Shop Findings Report to Buyer within thirty
                  (30) days after Equipment is Redelivered to Buyer.

      8.    Transportation

            a.    Buyer shall arrange and coordinate all transportation. ESI
                  shall, for each Qualifying Shop Visit, credit the cost of
                  domestic (forty-eight (48) contiguous States) ground
                  transportation of Buyer's Equipment to and from ESI's
                  designated Repair facility. *** Delivery and Redelivery are
                  defined in Appendix "A".

            b.    ESI shall provide maintenance services, as required, for
                  Buyer's Equipment transportation stands and containers while
                  at ESI's facility; however, replacement of stands and/or
                  containers is not included.

***


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<PAGE>   12

Article II. (Continued)

C.    Workmanship

      Notwithstanding the provisions of Attachment "I" - Paragraph XX.
      "Warranty", below, the parties agree that with respect to Buyer's
      Equipment Repaired and Redelivered under this Agreement ***, if Buyer
      discovers an alleged defect in workmanship within twelve (12) calendar
      months of Redelivery or one thousand (1,000) EFH from Redelivery,
      whichever comes first, and Buyer provides written notice to ESI of such
      defect within thirty (30) days of its discovery, ESI shall pay any direct
      costs for Engine Repairs resulting therefrom. The foregoing shall
      constitute the sole remedy of Buyer and the sole liability of ESI for
      repair of defective workmanship, relative to Buyer's Equipment covered by
      this Paragraph C.

                        ARTICLE III. - BUYER OBLIGATIONS

A.    During the term of this Agreement, Buyer shall:

      1.    Deliver to ESI's facility or make otherwise accessible to ESI all
            Equipment from Buyer's fleet of CF6-80C2B5F Engines, as specified in
            Appendix "B", requiring Repair. However, ESI shall have the option
            to perform Repairs with a field team at other locations.

      2.    Provide to ESI's authorized personnel reasonable access to Buyer's
            Equipment when such Equipment is in Buyer's possession, as well as
            to all operating and maintenance records maintained by Buyer related
            to Buyer's Equipment.

      3.    Make every reasonable effort to provide incoming transportation
            information in writing to ESI within at least three (3) calendar
            days prior to Delivery of Buyer's Equipment at ESI's facility. Upon
            removal of an Engine from Buyer's aircraft, Buyer shall Deliver such
            Engine to ESI's facility within seven (7) days. Failure to Deliver
            such Engine to ESI's facility within seven (7) days shall constitute
            an excusable delay should such delay result in a requirement for a
            lease Engine as set forth in Section 2., Article II., Paragraph B.

      4.    Designate in writing one (1) or more of its employees as a
            representative during the term of this Agreement. Such
            representative(s) shall represent Buyer hereunder.

      5.    Develop with ESI, on a monthly basis, an ERS of Buyer's Equipment to
            be provided to ESI for Repair hereunder. The ERS shall identify by
            serial number the type of Equipment, quantities and general
            workscope expected to be delivered to ESI during the next six (6)
            months. Buyer shall utilize its best efforts with respect to the
            accuracy and completeness of the data contained in the ERS.

      6.    Provide all line maintenance in accordance with the GE/Boeing
            Maintenance Manual, applicable published airframe and Engine
            manuals, mutually agreed-to Engine Repair Specification, Buyer
            Troubleshooting Manual, and Buyer's FAA approved B747-400
            Maintenance Specification Manual. In addition, Buyer shall be
            responsible for all required scrap replacement of LRUs on the line
            and Repair of LRUs not included in Appendix "C".


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<PAGE>   13

Article III. (Continued)

      7.    ***

      8.    Supply to ESI complete historical information to facilitate Repairs
            hereunder which shall include, at a minimum, the following:

            a.    Total Engine Operating Time Since New ("TSN").

            b.    Time Since Last Visit ("TSLV").

            c.    Cycles Since New ("CSN").

            d.    Cycles Since Last Visit ("CSLV").

            e.    Reason for this shop visit.

            f.    LRU In/Out Sheet during operating period prior to this shop
                  visit and reason for removal, using Buyer's best reasonable
                  efforts.

            g.    TSN, CSN on all LLP.

            LLP replaced hereunder due to lack of adequate records, as specified
            above, will be at Buyer's expense; however, prior to replacing such
            LLP, ESI will first advise Buyer that certain records are missing
            and allow Buyer five (5) working days to acknowledge and forward
            such records to ESI. If, after the allotted five (5) working days,
            the records are not complete, ESI will assume that the time and
            cycles as specified in Buyer supplied historical information have
            expired on all Life Limited Parts for which there is a lack of
            record ***.

      9.    Provide to ESI an external Equipment configuration specification for
            Equipment, pursuant to Section 1 - Article I., Paragraph C., above.

      10.   Ensure that adequate office space, parking, telephone, facsimile and
            computer equipment is available for the ESI technical representative
            assigned to the Buyer facility, as applicable.

      11.   Maintain a minimum of five (5) Spare Engines to be made available in
            accordance with the schedule set forth in Appendix "B", in support
            of the ten (10) aircraft fleet. In the event additional aircraft are
            added to this Agreement Buyer shall maintain a Spare Engine quantity
            of twelve and one-half percent (12.5%) of installed Engines, rounded
            to the next whole Engine.

      12.   Provide ACARS data to ESI at times and in a format specified in the
            Procedures Manual.


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<PAGE>   14

                                       ***

                         ARTICLE V. - TERM OF AGREEMENT

This Agreement shall commence upon execution of this Agreement by both parties,
or the latter of the two signature dates if the parties do not sign concurrently
("Effective Date") and shall remain in full force and effect to achieve one
hundred twenty (120) months coverage under this Agreement for included Engines
added after the Effective Date, unless extended in writing by mutual agreement
or in accordance with Section I., Article II., Paragraph A.1., as a result of
exercise of option in accordance with Section I., Article II., Paragraph F., or
until terminated by either party as provided for in Attachment "I", Paragraph I.
"Termination".

                  ARTICLE VI. - ENTIRE AGREEMENT AND AMENDMENTS

This Agreement, together with Appendices "A" - "G" Attachment "A" and Attachment
"I", contains and constitutes the entire understanding and agreement between the
parties hereto respecting the subject matter hereof, and supersedes and cancels
all previous negotiations, agreements, commitments, and writings in connection
herewith. This Agreement may not be released, discharged, abandoned,
supplemented, changed, or modified in any manner, orally or otherwise, except by
an instrument in writing of concurrent or subsequent date signed by a duly
authorized officer or representative of each of the parties hereto.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the ESI and Buyer have caused this Agreement to be signed in
duplicate by their duly authorized officers and representatives as of the date
written below.

         For and On Behalf Of:                For and On Behalf Of:

         GE Engine Services, Inc.             Atlas Air, Inc.


         By:                                  By:                               
              -----------------------------        -----------------------------

         Title:                               Title:

         Date:                                Date:
              -----------------------------        -----------------------------
                  (the "Effective Date")               (the "Effective Date")


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<PAGE>   15

                             SECTION 3 - APPENDICES

                                  APPENDIX "A"

                                    GLOSSARY

For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall be defined as follows:

A.    Buyer's Fleet

      CF6-80C2B5F Engine powered B747-400 aircraft operated by Buyer.

B.    Component

      Parts joined together to form a subassembly or unit of the Equipment.

C.    Delivery

      The date on which Buyer's Equipment is Delivered Duties Paid ("DDP") ESI's
      designated Repair facility (Incoterms 1990) for the purpose of Repair,
      except for those instances referring to delivery of aircraft.

D.    Engine Caused Failure

      The failure of an Engine or an Engine Part which is the sole cause for
      Engine Removal.

E.    Engine Maintenance Unit ("EMU")

      A major serialized portion of the Engine originally sold by ESI as a new
      or used, serviceable assembly.

F.    Equipment

      Buyer's CF6-80C2B5F Engines, Engine Modules, Engine Maintenance Units, and
      Engine Parts collectively referred to as "Equipment".

G.    Foreign Object Damage ("FOD")

      "Major FOD" ***.

      "Other FOD" ***.

H.    ESI

      The term "ESI" shall include ESI, and its affiliated companies (as
      presently and hereinafter constituted) and directors, officers, employees,
      agents, vendors or suppliers of ESI and its affiliated companies.


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<PAGE>   16

Appendix "A" (Continued)

I.    Life Limited Part

      A Part with an approved limitation on use in cumulative hours or cycles,
      which either the original equipment manufacturer or the FAA establishes as
      the maximum period of allowable operational time for all such Parts in
      airline service, with periodic Repair and restoration. Also known as
      "Ultimate Life Part".

J.    Material

      All items purchased, supplied, or fabricated and utilized during
      maintenance of the Equipment or incorporated in and made a part of the
      Equipment. Used collectively to describe all Parts, Components,
      Expendables, Rotables and supplies required for the maintenance of the
      Equipment.

K.    Redelivery

      After Repair, the date on which ESI offers for acceptance and ships Ex
      Works, ESI's designated Repair facility (Incoterms 1990) Buyer's
      Equipment.

L.    Repair

      The teardown or disassembly, inspection, Repair, maintenance, overhaul,
      modification, Parts replacement, where necessary, and reassembly and test,
      when applicable, of Buyer's Equipment.

M.    Rotable Inventory

      Serviceable Engine Module, EMU, or Component which is exchanged for like
      hardware which requires Repair for which Turn Time exceeds the allotted
      Repair flow time associated with same.

N.    Serviceable

      An item of Equipment which meets all ESI and FAA specified standards for
      airworthiness following Repair and has no known defects which would render
      it unfit for service, in accordance with the Engine Specification.

O.    Turn Time

      The number of calendar days between input of Buyer's Equipment into ESI's
      facility for Repair and Redelivery to Buyer.


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<PAGE>   17

                                  APPENDIX "B"

              ENGINE SERIAL NUMBERS AND AIRCRAFT DELIVERY SCHEDULE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       Aircraft Quantity                            Scheduled Year of Delivery
       -----------------                            --------------------------
               <S>                                             <C>
               4                                               1998
               2                                               1999
               3                                               2000
               1                                               2001
<CAPTION>
       
       Cumulative Spare                             Scheduled Year of Delivery
       Engine Quantity *                            --------------------------
       -----------------
               <S>                                           <C>
               1                                             2Q 1998
               1                                             2Q 1999
               1                                             2Q 2000
               1                                             2Q 2001
               1                                             2Q 2003
       * Per Letter Agreement No. 1 to GTA No. 6-9810
</TABLE>

Engine serial numbers to be added as Buyer purchases aircraft.


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<PAGE>   18

                                  APPENDIX "C"

                                       ***

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     Nomenclature       ATA Ref    GE Part Number        OEM Part Number     TAT
     <S>                <C>        <C>                   <C>                 <C>
***
</TABLE>


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<PAGE>   19

Appendix "C" (Continued)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     Nomenclature       ATA Ref    GE Part Number        OEM Part Number     TAT
     <S>                <C>        <C>                   <C>                 <C>
***
</TABLE>


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<PAGE>   20

                                    CF6-80C2

                                  APPENDIX "D"

                              MCPH PRICE ADJUSTMENT

I.    For the purpose of this Appendix D, the following definitions apply:

      A.    ***

            During the first one hundred twenty (120) months of this Agreement,
            and solely for those Engines covered by this Agreement during ***,
            prices for any *** shall be adjusted in accordance with the
            following formula:

                                       ***

      B.    ***

      C.    Cumulative Labor Index YO = ((Labor Index YO-1/Labor Index BY-1) -1)

      D.    ***

      E.    BY = Base Year , which shall be ***

      F.    ***

      G.    ***

      H.    ***

      I.    ***


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<PAGE>   21

Appendix "D" (Continued)

      J.    ***

      K.    ***

      L.    ***

      M.    ***

II.   To the extent the term of the Agreement is extended to cover Engines added
      to this Agreement after ***, and for any periods after the first one
      hundred twenty (120) months of the Agreement, prices for any *** shall be
      adjusted in accordance with the following formula:

                                            ***


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<PAGE>   22

Appendix "D" (Continued)

III. ***

                                    TABLE "D"

                            PRICE ADJUSTMENT EXAMPLE

      ***


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<PAGE>   23

Appendix "D" (Continued)

     ***


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<PAGE>   24


Appendix "D" (Continued)

     ***


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<PAGE>   25


Appendix "D" (Continued)

     ***


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<PAGE>   26

                                  APPENDIX "E"

                                       ***


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<PAGE>   27

                                  APPENDIX "F"

                    SUPPLEMENTAL WORK DEFINITION AND PRICING

      I.    Supplemental Work shall be specifically excluded from application of
            the MCPH Rate and shall be defined as follows:

            a.    All other services not specifically included in Section 2.,
                  Article I, Paragraph A.of this Agreement.

            b.    Further, Services described in Section 2., Article I,
                  Paragraph A. of this Agreement, shall be identified as
                  Supplemental Work (unless caused by an action of ESI) if it
                  has been determined to ESI's reasonable satisfaction that such
                  Engine or Module requires Repair for, or as a result of:

            ***

      2.    When services are performed during a non-Qualifying Shop Visit which
            are not required as part of the Supplemental Work Repair or would
            otherwise have been performed subsequently as MCPH Repair, the
            parties will negotiate an appropriate allocation of the cost between
            MCPH and Supplemental Work.

II.   Supplemental Work shall be charged on a time and material basis as
      follows:

      A.    Labor

            1.    Direct labor shall be charged in accordance with Appendix
                  "F-1".


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<PAGE>   28

Appendix "F" (Continued)

            2.    All other direct labor performed by ESI at ESI's facility
                  shall be charged *** per Man Hour.

            3.    For Services performed at a ESI or ESI affiliate On-Wing
                  Support facility or for Services performed, at the direction
                  of Buyer, at a location other than a ESI facility direct
                  labor, including travel to and from the employee's home or
                  normal place of work as applicable, until arrival at
                  destination temporary living quarters or place of work shall
                  be charged as follows:

                        Straight Time                              ***

                        Straight Time is defined as the first eight (8) hours
                        charged Monday through Friday (except holidays)
                        providing a minimum of eight (8) hours break has
                        occurred since the last time charged.

                        Overtime                                   ***

                        Overtime is defined as all time charged other than
                        Straight Time.

            4.    ***

      B.    Material

            1.    ESI furnished Material required for Repair of Buyer's
                  Equipment shall be charged as follows and is subject to the
                  additional fee denoted in Paragraph 2., below:

                  a.    New piece Parts and any other ESI furnished new Material
                        will be priced in accordance with the then current
                        CF6-80C2 Engine Spare Parts Price Catalog, or applicable
                        manufacturer's list price.

                  b.    Used Serviceable piece Parts and any other ESI furnished
                        used Serviceable Material will be priced at *** of the
                        then current CF6-80C2 Engine Spare Parts Price Catalog,
                        or applicable manufacturer's list price.

                  c     Bench Stock will be priced in accordance with Appendix
                        "G" attached hereto.

                  d.    Fuel and lube will be priced ***.

            2.    ESI furnished Material will be charged to Buyer at the prices
                  specified above *** fee with a maximum fee of ***. Maximum
                  fees are effective for 1998 and will be adjusted January 1 of
                  each year at the same rate as manufacturer/supplier
                  escalation.


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<PAGE>   29

Appendix "F" (Continued)

            3.    Rotable/Exchange Inventory

                  a.    Rotable Inventory Usage

                        1)    ESI-furnished Rotable piece Parts installed in
                              Buyer's Equipment during Repair shall be assessed
                              a Rotable fee equal ***. Maximum fees for Rotable
                              Inventory are effective for 1998 and will be
                              adjusted January 1 of each year at the same rate
                              as manufacturer/supplier escalation.

                        2)    Buyer agrees to accept compatible Rotable piece
                              Parts that are updated to the then-current Service
                              Bulletin Baseline which is the configuration used
                              by the majority of ESI's customers operating the
                              CF6-80C2B5F Engine.

                        3)    Rotable Parts fee, if applicable, will be canceled
                              and Buyer will be charged for replenishment of
                              ESI-furnished Rotable Parts inventory if Buyer's
                              trade-in Equipment is determined to be
                              non-repairable after ESI-furnished Rotable Parts
                              have been installed/shipped on Buyer's Equipment
                              as follows:

                              a)    Replacement charge for used Serviceable
                                    Parts other than Ultimate Life Parts will be
                                    invoiced at the then-current CF6-80C2 Spare
                                    Parts Price Catalog list price, if
                                    replacement is with a new Part or at *** of
                                    the then current CF6-80C2 Engine Spare Parts
                                    Price Catalog, or applicable manufacturer's
                                    list price, if the replacement is with a
                                    used Serviceable Part.

                              b)    Replacement charge for new Parts will be
                                    invoiced at the then-current CF6-80C2 Spare
                                    Parts Price Catalog list price.

                              c)    All replacement Parts will be assessed
                                    applicable Material fees specified in
                                    Paragraph II.B.2., above.

            b.    Inventory Exchange

                  Charges and credits associated with the retirement or exchange
                  of Life-Limited Parts will be as follows:

                  1)    When the remaining Flight Cycles of a repairable
                        Life-Limited Part removed from Buyer's Equipment are
                        less than the remaining Flight Cycles of ESI's
                        Life-Limited Part replacing Buyer's Part, Buyer will be
                        charged the difference.

                  2)    Conversely, when the remaining Flight Cycles of a
                        repairable Life-Limited Part removed from Buyer's
                        Equipment are in excess of the remaining Flight Cycles
                        of ESI's Life-Limited Part replacing Buyer's part, ESI
                        shall credit Buyer the difference.


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<PAGE>   30

Appendix "F" (Continued)

                  3)    The charge or credit for such difference shall be
                        determined as follows:

                        a)    ***

                        b)    Multiply the resulting value per cycle by the
                              difference described in paragraphs 1) and 2),
                              above.

      C.    Subcontractor

            Work subcontracted by ESI (excluding work subcontracted to another
            ESI component) will be charged to Buyer at vendor charges plus a ***
            per vendor invoice.

      D.    Engine Test

            1.    Test cell usage will be charged to Buyer at a fixed price ***
                  per Engine test, plus fuel, oil and other Material.

            2.    Test rejections resulting from: (1) non-compliance with agreed
                  upon Workscope; or, (2) ESI's workmanship shall be at ESI's
                  expense.

            3.    Test cell charges incurred at Buyer's request for over and
                  above the agreed upon Workscope shall be invoiced to the
                  Buyer.

            4.    Testing done on an overtime basis, at the direction of the
                  Buyer, ***.

            5.    Engine test prices in subparagraphs 1. and 4., above, will be
                  subject to adjustment consistent with the provisions of
                  Paragraph A.4., above.

      E.    Specific Equipment Repair

            Specific Equipment Repairs performed at ESI service shops shall be
            charged in accordance with the then current Component Repair
            Directory.

      F.    On-Site Support

            For Services performed at a site other than the designated Repair
            facility, at the direction of Buyer, Buyer agrees to pay additional
            applicable charges, including but not limited to, travel and living
            expenses, shipping charges for tooling, materials, facility charges,
            etc.


MCPH     March, 1998          ESI PROPRIETARY INFORMATION             Page 3-F-4
               Subject to restrictions on the cover or first page

<PAGE>   31

                                 APPENDIX "F-1"

                                FIXED PRICE LABOR
                                       ***

Labor associated with routine Disassembly, Cleaning, Visual/Dimensional
Inspection, Non-destructive Testing, Grinding, Reassembly, Test, and Ship shall
be invoiced as follows. Serviceability inspections of Modules and EMU's are not
included below, except as stated. Serviceability inspections for all other items
will be accomplished at the Time and Material Rate specified in this proposal.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WORKSCOPE ITEM                                                       PRICE (US$)
- --------------                                                       -----------
<S>                                                                    <C>
BASIC ENGINE
Incoming Inspection (Basic)                                                  ***
Incoming Inspection with QEC                                                 ***
PTT and Incoming Diagnostic Test                                             ***
Engine Final Assembly                                                        ***
Engine Final Assembly (with QEC)                                             ***
PTT and Post Repair Performance Test                                         ***
Prep To Ship                                                                 ***
                                                                          
GEARBOX MODULE                                                            
Remove and Install Accessory Gearbox                                         ***
Disassemble and Reassemble Module (No C&A Removal)                           ***
Remove and Install Transfer Gearbox                                          ***
Remove and Install Horizontal Drive                                          ***
Remove and Install Radial Drive                                              ***
Remove and Install Inlet Gearbox                                             ***
                                                                          
LPT MODULE                                                                
Remove and Install LPT Module                                                ***
Disassemble and Reassemble LPT Module to EMU's                               ***
Disassemble and Reassemble LPT Rotor                                         ***
Disassemble and Reassemble Turbine Rear Frame                                ***
                                                                         
HPT MODULE
Remove and Install HPT Module                                                ***
Remove and Install HPT Rotor and Stage 2 Nozzle                              ***
Disassemble and Reassemble HPT Module to EMU's                               ***
Disassemble and Reassemble HPT Rotor                                         ***
Disassemble and Reassemble HPT Stage 2 Nozzle EMU                            ***
Disassemble and Reassembly HPT Stage 1 Nozzle EMU                            ***

HPC MODULE
Remove and Install HPC Module                                                ***
Disassemble and Reassemble HPC Module to EMU's                               ***
Disassemble and Reassemble HPC Rotor                                         ***
Disassemble and Reassemble HPC Forward and Rear Cases                        ***
Disassemble and Reassemble Compressor Rear Frame                             ***
</TABLE>


MCPH     March, 1998          ESI PROPRIETARY INFORMATION           Page 3-F-1-1
               Subject to restrictions on the cover or first page

<PAGE>   32

                               CF6-80C (continued)
                                FIXED PRICE LABOR

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WORKSCOPE ITEM                                                       PRICE (US$)
- --------------                                                       -----------
<S>                                                                  <C>
FAN MODULE
Remove and Install Stage 1 Fan Blades and Hardware                           ***
Recontour Stage 1 Fan Blades                                                 ***
Restore E12/13 Clearances                                                    ***
Remove and Install Stage 1 Fan Disk                                          ***
Processing Stage 1 Fan Disk                                                  ***
Remove and Install External Hardware and C&A                                 ***
Remove and Install Fan Booster Assembly                                      ***
Disassemble and Reassemble Fan Booster Cases                                 ***
Disassemble and Reassemble Fan Booster Rotor                                 ***
Remove and Install Fan Mid-Shaft EMU                                         ***
Remove and Install Fan Shaft                                                 ***
Remove and Install Control Adapter                                           ***
Remove and Install OGV's                                                     ***
Remove and Install Fan Frame                                                 ***
Disassemble and Reassemble Fan Cases                                         ***
                                                                          
OTHER COMMON WORKSCOPES                                                   
                                                                          
MODULE SERVICEABILITY INSPECTIONS                                         
      Fan Module                                                             ***
      LPT Module                                                             ***
      HPC Module                                                             ***
EMU SERVICEABILITY INSPECTIONS                                            
      LPT Cases                                                              ***
      Turbine Rear Frame                                                     ***
OTHER SERVICEABILITY INSPECTIONS                                          
      HPC Cases                                                              ***
      HPC Rotor                                                              ***
      Compressor Rear Frame                                                  ***
AGB PARTIAL WORKSCOPES                                                    
      Remove and Install Accessories from Gearbox                            ***
      Replace AGB Carbon Seals                                               ***
GEARBOX REPAIR WORKSCOPES                                                 
      Disassemble, Repair, and Reassemble Transfer Gearbox                   ***
      Disassemble, Repair, and Reassemble Inlet Gearbox                      ***
      Disassemble, Repair, and Reassemble Accessory Gearbox                  ***
HPC PARTIAL WORKSCOPES                                                    
      Top Case (Basic Engine)                                                ***
      Top Case ( with QEC)                                                   ***
      Reblade and Regrind HPC Rotor Exposed                                  ***
HPT PARTIAL WORKSCOPE                                                     
      Reblade and Regrind HPT Rotor Exposed                                  ***
</TABLE>


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               Subject to restrictions on the cover or first page

<PAGE>   33

                                  APPENDIX "G"

                                   BENCH STOCK
          (Prices are in 1998 dollars and shall be adjusted consistent
           with year-to-year average pricing changes in the CF6-80C2
               Spare Parts Catalog) 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       Price ***
                                                                       ---------
<S>                                                                    <C>
Complete Engine                                                              ***

External Hardware                                                            ***

Core Module                                                                  ***
     HPC Rotor                                                               ***
     HPC Case                                                                ***
     HPC Rear Frame                                                          ***
     HPC Module Build-UP                                                     ***

High Pressure Turbine Module                                                 ***
     HPT Stage 1 Nozzle                                                      ***
     HPT Rotor                                                               ***
     HPT Stage 2 Nozzle                                                      ***
     HPT Module Build-Up                                                     ***

Low Pressure Turbine Module                                                  ***
     LPT Rotor and Stator                                                    ***
     Turbine Rear Frame                                                      ***
     LPT Module Build-Up                                                     ***

Fan Module                                                                   ***
     Fan Rotor                                                               ***
     Fan Stator                                                              ***
     Fan Frame and Case                                                      ***
     Fan Mid-Shaft                                                           ***
     Fan Module Build-Up                                                     ***
     Inlet Gearbox                                                           ***

Gearbox Module                                                               ***
     Transfer Gearbox                                                        ***
     Accessory Gearbox                                                       ***
     Module Build-Up                                                         ***
</TABLE>

Bench Stock consists of the low value consumable/expendable Material ***
required for the assembly of the various "items" of Equipment. Bench Stock
Materials will not be listed in detail on the bill of materials supplied with
the invoice for the Equipment Repaired.


MCPH     March, 1998          ESI PROPRIETARY INFORMATION             Page 3-G-1
               Subject to restrictions on the cover or first page

<PAGE>   34

                                 ATTACHMENT "A"

                                       ***


MCPH     March, 1998          ESI PROPRIETARY INFORMATION     Attachment "A" - 1
               Subject to restrictions on the cover or first page

<PAGE>   35

                                       ***


MCPH     March, 1998          ESI PROPRIETARY INFORMATION     Attachment "A" - 2
               Subject to restrictions on the cover or first page

<PAGE>   36


MCPH     March, 1998          ESI PROPRIETARY INFORMATION     Attachment "A" - 3
               Subject to restrictions on the cover or first page

<PAGE>   37


                                 ATTACHMENT "I"

                              TERMS AND CONDITIONS

I.    TERMINATION

      A.    This Agreement may be terminated:

            1.    Buyer will terminate this Agreement in the event Buyer sells
                  or leases or ceases to lease, all or substantially all of
                  Buyer's Fleet of Equipment covered by this Agreement. In the
                  event Buyer terminates this Agreement for this reason, the
                  termination shall only be effective after one hundred and
                  eighty (180) days have elapsed after written notification to
                  ESI, but in no case prior to end of the calendar year in which
                  the termination notification has been issued.

            2.    In the event that the payments by Buyer to ESI provided for in
                  this Agreement are not made within the time periods specified
                  herein, ESI may, at its option, suspend performance hereunder
                  and any expenses incurred by ESI in connection with
                  performance hereunder in accordance with this Agreement prior
                  to such suspension shall be payable by Buyer promptly upon
                  notice thereof by ESI. If such non-payment is not rectified by
                  Buyer within five (5) days upon such notice thereof, ESI may
                  terminate this Agreement. Any delays by ESI as a result of
                  such suspension of performance shall be considered an
                  excusable delay under Paragraph IV., "Excusable Delay" below.

            3.    Upon the commencement of any bankruptcy or reorganization
                  proceeding by or against either party hereto (the "Defaulting
                  Party"), the other party may, upon written notice to the
                  Defaulting Party, cease to perform any or all of its
                  obligations under this Agreement (including, without
                  limitation, work in progress and deliveries) unless the
                  Defaulting Party shall provide adequate assurance, in the
                  opinion of the other party, that the Defaulting Party will
                  continue to perform all of its obligations under this
                  Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof, and will
                  promptly compensate the other party hereto for any actual loss
                  resulting from the Defaulting Party being unable to perform in
                  full its obligations hereunder.

            4.    By either party upon written notice to the other party in the
                  event of default of the other party of any of its obligations
                  under this Agreement, and in the event that such default is
                  not cured within sixty (60) days of the notice.

            5.    ***

      B.    In the event this Agreement is terminated: (a) ESI shall, upon
            receipt of Buyer's written request, promptly deliver all Buyer's
            Equipment, Parts and related documentation to Buyer; and ***

      C.    All rights and obligations of the parties hereto created pursuant to
            the provisions of this Agreement shall survive the expiration,
            termination or cancellation of this Agreement by either party until
            all such rights and obligations have been fully and satisfactorily
            completed.


MCPH     March, 1998          ESI PROPRIETARY INFORMATION             ATTACH.I-1
               Subject to restrictions on the cover or first page

<PAGE>   38

II.   TITLE, DELIVERY AND RISK OF LOSS

      Parts, Material, labor and associated overhead incorporated into Buyer's
      Equipment, as required in performing Services on Buyer's Equipment
      hereunder, shall be deemed to have been sold to Buyer, and title to such
      Parts and Services thereon shall pass to Buyer upon assignment of such
      parts, materials, labor and associated overhead to Buyer's Equipment. Risk
      of loss or damage to such parts and work thereon shall pass to Buyer upon
      Redelivery to Buyer. Title to and risk of loss of or damage to any parts
      removed from Buyer's Equipment, which are replaced by other parts, shall
      pass to ESI upon removal of such parts from Buyer's Equipment. Risk of
      loss of or damage to Buyer's Equipment shall rest with ESI while located
      at ESI's facility after Delivery and prior to Redelivery. Final acceptance
      of Redelivered Equipment shall be at ESI's facility.

III.  LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

   
      A.    The total liability of ESI, including its subcontractors or
            suppliers, on any and all claims, whether in contract, warranty,
            tort (including negligence, but specifically excluding gross
            negligence or willful misconduct), products liability, patent
            infringement, or otherwise, arising out of, connected with, or
            resulting from this Agreement or from the performance or breach
            thereof, or the use, possession, operation, or maintenance of the
            Repaired Equipment shall in no case shall in no case exceed the then
            current purchase price for a comparable replacement for the
            Equipment which gives rise to the claim. This provision shall not be
            construed as relieving ESI of any of its obligations otherwise
            required by this Agreement.

      B.    In no event, whether as a result of breach of contract, warranty, 
            tort (including negligence, but specifically excluding gross
            negligence or willful misconduct), products liability, patent
            infringement, or otherwise, shall ESI, or its subcontractors or
            suppliers, be liable for any special, consequential, incidental,
            indirect, or exemplary damages, including but not limited to, loss
            of profit or revenues, loss of use of the Repaired items or any
            associated Equipment, cost of capital, facilities, services,
            downtime costs or claims of Buyer's customers for such damages.
    

IV.   EXCUSABLE DELAY

      A.    ESI and Buyer shall be excused from, and shall not be liable for,
            any delays in its performance or failure to perform hereunder and
            shall not be deemed to be in default for any failure of performance
            hereunder due to causes beyond its control. Such causes shall be
            conclusively deemed to include, but not be limited to, acts of God,
            acts (or failure to act) of the Buyer or ESI, acts (or failure to
            act) of civil or military authority, government priorities, fires,
            strikes, labor disputes, work stoppage, floods, epidemics, war
            (declared or undeclared), riot, delays in transportation or
            inability to obtain on a timely basis necessary labor, materials, or
            components. In the event of any such delay, the date of performance
            shall be extended for a period equal to the time lost by reason of
            the delay. This provision shall not, however, relieve ESI from using
            commercially reasonable efforts to avoid or remove such causes and
            continue performance with reasonable dispatch whenever such causes
            are removed. ESI shall promptly notify Buyer when such delays occur
            or impending delays are likely to occur and shall continue to advise
            it of new performance schedules and changes relating thereto. If and
            to the extent that ESI is prevented from performing under this
            Agreement by any of the foregoing causes, Buyer shall be permitted
            to obtain the Repair of the Equipment from other sources, but only
            until ESI is again able to perform hereunder.

      B.    Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph A., above, if any delay
            resulting from any of the foregoing causes extends for more than one
            hundred eighty (180) days and the parties have not agreed upon a
            revised basis for continuing the performance hereunder at the end of
            the delay, including reimbursement of ESI costs resulting from such
            delay, then either party, upon thirty (30) days written notice, may
            terminate this Agreement.


MCPH     March, 1998          ESI PROPRIETARY INFORMATION             ATTACH.I-2
               Subject to restrictions on the cover or first page

<PAGE>   39

V.    TAXES

      A.    In addition to the price to be paid by Buyer hereunder, Buyer shall
            pay to ESI, or furnish to ESI evidence of exemption therefrom, taxes
            (including, without limitation, sales, use, excise, property,
            turnover, or value added taxes), duties, fees, charges, or
            assessments (but excluding taxes in the nature of income taxes),
            legally assessed or levied by governmental authority against ESI, or
            its employees, its subsidiaries, or their employees, as a result of
            any sale, delivery, transfer, use, export, import, or possession of
            repaired Equipment, under this Agreement. If claim is made against
            ESI for such taxes, duties, fees, charges, or assessments, ESI shall
            immediately notify Buyer; and if requested by Buyer, ESI shall not
            pay except under protest, and if payment is made, shall use all
            reasonable effort to obtain a refund thereof. If all, or any part,
            of such taxes, duties, fees, charges, or assessments be refunded,
            ESI shall repay to Buyer such part thereof as Buyer shall have paid.
            Buyer shall pay to ESI, upon demand, all expenses (including
            penalties and interest) incurred by ESI in protesting payment and in
            endeavoring to obtain such refund. ***

      ***   

VI.   NOTICES

      Any notice under this Agreement shall become effective upon receipt and
      shall be in writing delivered or sent by mail or electronic transmission
      to the respective parties at the following addresses, which may be changed
      by written notice:

            To Buyer:                                  To ESI:

            _________________________          GE Aircraft Engines
            _________________________          GE Engine Services
            _________________________          1 Neumann Way, MD/S-95
            _________________________          Cincinnati, Ohio  45215

            Attention: _________________       Attention: MCPH Manager

                                               with a copy to:
                                               GE Aircraft Engines
                                               GE Engine Services
                                               Attn:  General Manager
                                               1 Neumann Way, MD/S-95
                                               Cincinnati, Ohio  45215


MCPH     March, 1998          ESI PROPRIETARY INFORMATION             ATTACH.I-3
               Subject to restrictions on the cover or first page

<PAGE>   40

VII.  GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS

      A.    Buyer shall be importer and exporter of record and shall be
            responsible for the timely application for, obtainment and
            maintenance of any required governmental authorizations such as
            import licenses, export licenses, exchange permits, or any other
            required governmental authorization. ESI shall not be liable if any
            authorization is delayed, denied, revoked, restricted, or not
            renewed and Buyer shall not thereby be relieved of its obligation to
            pay ESI for its work performed and any other charges which are the
            obligation of Buyer hereunder.

      B.    All products (including technical data delivered hereunder) shall at
            all times be subject to the Export Administration Regulations and or
            International Traffic in Arms Regulations of the United States of
            America and any amendments thereof. Buyer agrees that it shall not
            make any unauthorized disposition of United States of America-origin
            Equipment (including technical data) provided by ESI through
            trans-shipment, re-export, diversion, or otherwise, other than in
            and to the country of ultimate destination specified in Buyer's
            order or declared as the country of ultimate destination on ESI's
            invoices, except as United States laws and regulations may permit.

VIII. JURISDICTION

      The validity, performance, and all matters relating to the interpretation
      and effect of this Agreement and any amendment thereto shall be
      interpreted in all respects in accordance with the laws of the State of
      New York and, in the event of any unresolved dispute, Buyer agrees to
      submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court for
      the Southern District of New York. The United Nations Convention on
      Contracts for the International Sale of Goods is not applicable to this
      Agreement.

IX.   ASSIGNMENT

      Any assignment of this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder by
      either party without the prior written consent of the other party shall be
      void, except that Buyer's consent shall not be required for the
      substitution of an affiliated company of ESI in place of ESI as the
      contracting party to perform any work hereunder. In the event of such
      substitution, Buyer shall be advised thereof in writing. In case of lease,
      by Buyer, of Engines covered by this Agreement, the parties agree that
      rights and obligations under this Agreement shall remain with the Buyer.
      ***

X.    NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES

      This Agreement is for the benefit of the parties hereto and is not for the
      benefit of any third person, firm or corporation and nothing herein
      contained shall be construed to create any rights in or obligations to any
      third parties under, as a result of, or in connection with this Agreement.

XI.   NON-WAIVER

      Any failure by either party to enforce any of the provisions of this
      Agreement or to require at any time performance by the other party of any
      of the provisions hereof shall in no way affect the validity of this
      Agreement or any part hereof, or in the right of the parties thereafter to
      enforce each and every such provision, nor shall ESI actual performance,
      whether or not under this Agreement, be deemed in any way indicative of
      the scope of the obligations of ESI under this Agreement.


MCPH     March, 1998          ESI PROPRIETARY INFORMATION             ATTACH.I-4
               Subject to restrictions on the cover or first page

<PAGE>   41

XII.  EXCLUSIVE TERMS

      The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall apply to all written
      authorizations issued by Buyer to ESI for work to be performed under this
      Agreement in lieu of any printed terms thereon or therein and such written
      authorizations shall form a part of this Agreement.

XIII. PARTIAL INVALIDITY

      If any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal,
      or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the
      remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

XIV.  NON-DISCLOSURE

      The parties agree that neither will disclose any of the terms of this
      Agreement nor any information or data provided to either party as a result
      of this Agreement to a third party, without prior written approval of the
      other party except that:

      1.    To the extent required by government agencies and courts for
            official purposes, disclosure may be made to such agencies and
            courts. In such event, a suitable restrictive legend limiting
            further disclosure shall be applied.

      2.    The existence of the Agreement and its general purpose only may be
            stated to others by either of the parties without approval from the
            other.

XV.   CONTROLLING LANGUAGE

      The English language shall be used in the interpretation and performance
      of this Agreement.

XVI.  HEADINGS

      The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only
      and shall not affect in any way the meaning and interpretation of this
      Agreement.

XVII. WAIVER OF IMMUNITY

      To the extent that Buyer or any of its property is or becomes entitled at
      any time to any immunity on the grounds of sovereignty or otherwise from
      any legal action, suit or proceeding, from set-off or counterclaim, from
      the jurisdiction of any competent court, from service of process, from
      attachment prior to judgement, from attachment in aid of execution, or
      from execution prior to judgement, or other legal process in any
      jurisdiction, Buyer, for itself and its property, does hereby regularly,
      irrevocably and unconditionally waive, and agree not to plead or claim,
      any such immunity with respect to its obligations, liabilities or any
      other matter under or arising out of or in connection with this Agreement
      or the subject matter hereof. Such agreement shall be irrevocable ,not
      subject to withdrawal in any and all jurisdictions, and is made only for
      the express benefit of ESI and its affiliated companies.

XVIII. REPAIR LOCATION

      ESI may perform any work required by this Agreement at any of its FAA
      approved Repair Facilities.


MCPH     March, 1998          ESI PROPRIETARY INFORMATION             ATTACH.I-5
               Subject to restrictions on the cover or first page

<PAGE>   42

XIX.  INFORMATION AND DATA

      All information and data (including, but not limited to, designs,
      drawings, blueprints, tracings, plans, models, layouts, specifications and
      memoranda, but excluding shop visit record information and data) which may
      be furnished or made available to one party hereto by the other party
      hereto, directly or indirectly as the result of this Agreement shall
      remain the property of the disclosing party. The information and data
      shall neither be used by the receiving party, nor furnished to any other
      person, firm or corporation, for the design or manufacture of any
      equipment or part, nor permitted out of the receiving party's possession,
      nor divulged to any other person, firm or corporation, except as herein
      provided. Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude the receiving party
      from using or furnishing to others information and data necessary to
      effect any contract or arrangement under which this is to be performed for
      the receiving party, by others, modification, overhaul, or maintenance
      work on the Equipment, their parts or accessories. The instrument by which
      the receiving party transfers any Equipment may permit the use of such
      data by its transferee, subject to the same limitation set forth above,
      and shall preserve to the disclosing party the right to enforce such
      limitation.

XX.   WARRANTY

      ***

XXI.  PATENTS

      A.    Except as provided for in Article III., "Limitation of Liability"
            above, ESI shall handle all claims and defend any suit or proceeding
            brought against Buyer insofar as based on a claim that, without
            further combination, any Equipment or any part thereof manufactured
            by ESI and furnished hereunder constitutes an infringement of any
            patent of the United States or of any other country that is
            signatory to Article 27 of the Convention on International Civil
            Aviation signed by the United States at Chicago on December 7, 1944,
            if notified promptly in writing and given authority, information and
            assistance (at ESI's expense) for the defense of same. In case such
            Equipment, or any part thereof, is in such suit held to constitute
            infringement and the use of said Equipment or part thereof is
            enjoined, ESI shall, at its own expense, and at its option, either
            procure for Buyer the right to continue using said Equipment or part
            thereof; or replace same with non-infringing Equipment or modify it
            so it becomes non-infringing; or remove said Equipment and refund
            the purchase price (less reasonable depreciation) thereof. The
            foregoing shall constitute the sole remedy of Buyer and the sole
            liability of ESI for Patent infringement.

      B.    The preceding paragraph shall not apply to any Equipment, or any
            part thereof, manufactured to Buyer's design. As to such Equipment,
            or any part thereof, ESI assumes no liability whatsoever for patent
            infringement.

      C.    With respect to any Equipment, or part thereof, furnished hereunder
            which is not manufactured by ESI, only the patent indemnity of the
            manufacturer, if any, shall apply.


MCPH     March, 1998          ESI PROPRIETARY INFORMATION             ATTACH.I-6
               Subject to restrictions on the cover or first page


<PAGE>   1

                                                                  EXHIBIT 10.116

                                                             GE Aircraft Engines

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                          6-9810

General
Terms
Agreement

                                 ATLAS AIR, INC.

      Portions of this document have been redacted and confidential treatment
      has been requested for these portions from the Securities and Exchange
      Commission. Redacted portions are indicated by "***".

This document contains information prepared specifically for presentation to the
airline described herein and should not be divulged to others without permission
of General Electric Company.
<PAGE>   2

                       GENERAL TERMS AGREEMENT NO. 6-9810
                                Table of Contents

o     Agreement

      ARTICLE I      -  PRODUCTS
      ARTICLE II     -  PRICES
      ARTICLE III    -  ORDER PLACEMENT
      ARTICLE IV     -  DELIVERY, TITLE, TRANSPORTATION, RISK OF LOSS, PACKAGING
      ARTICLE V      -  PAYMENT
      ARTICLE VI     -  TAXES
      ARTICLE VII    -  WARRANTIES AND CF6-80C2 PRODUCT SUPPORT PLAN
      ARTICLE VIII   -  EXCUSABLE DELAY
      ARTICLE IX     -  PATENTS
      ARTICLE X      -  INFORMATION AND DATA
      ARTICLE XI     -  FAA CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
      ARTICLE XII    -  TERMINATION FOR INSOLVENCY
      ARTICLE XIII   -  LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
      ARTICLE XIV    -  EXPORT SHIPMENT
      ARTICLE XV     -  GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATION
      ARTICLE XVI    -  NOTICES
      ARTICLE XVII   -  MISCELLANEOUS
    
o     Exhibit A - Products

o     Exhibit B - CF6-80C2 Product Support Plan

      SECTION I      -  DEFINITIONS
      SECTION II     -  WARRANTIES AND SPECIAL GUARANTEES
      SECTION III    -  SPARE PARTS PROVISIONING
      SECTION IV     -  TECHNICAL DATA
      SECTION V      -  TECHNICAL TRAINING
      SECTION VI     -  CUSTOMER FACTORY AND FIELD SUPPORT
      SECTION VII    -  PRODUCT SUPPORT ENGINEERING
      SECTION VIII   -  OPERATIONS ENGINEERING
      SECTION IX     -  GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT
      SECTION X      -  GENERAL CONDITIONS - CF6-80C2 PRODUCT SUPPORT PLAN

o     Exhibit C - Escalation

o     Exhibit D - Payment
<PAGE>   3

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    This Agreement contains information specifically developed for Atlas Air,
   Inc. by GE. Accordingly, Atlas Air, Inc. will not disclose all or any part
   of this Agreement to any Third Party except as permitted by Article XVII.E.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THIS GENERAL TERMS AGREEMENT NO. 6-9810 (hereinafter referred to as this
"Agreement"), dated as of the ______ day of June, 1997, by and between General
Electric Company, a corporation organized under the law of the State of New
York, U.S.A., (including it's successors and assigns), acting through its GE
Aircraft Engine Group located in Evendale, Ohio, U.S.A. (hereinafter referred to
as "GE"), and Atlas Air, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of
Delaware (hereinafter referred to as "Atlas" or "Airline"). Airline and GE are
also referred to in this Agreement as the "Parties" or individually as a
"Party".

                                   WITNESSETH

WHEREAS, Airline has acquired, or is in the process of acquiring a certain
number of wide-body aircraft equipped with GE installed engines, and

WHEREAS, the Parties desire to enter into this Agreement for the sale and
support by GE and the purchase by Airline from GE of spare Engines, related
equipment and spare Parts therefor.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the
parties hereto agree as follows. Capitalized terms used herein that are
otherwise undefined shall have the meanings ascribed to them in Section I
("Definitions") of Exhibit B, unless the context requires otherwise.

ARTICLE I - PRODUCTS

GE shall sell and Airline shall purchase, under the terms and subject to the
conditions hereafter set forth, the items and equipment identified as Products
in the attached Exhibit A (hereinafter referred to as "Product(s)"), together
with certain services related thereto as hereinafter provided.

ARTICLE II - PRICES

A.    IN GENERAL. The selling prices of all Products will be the prices quoted
      in (i) GE's Engine Spare Parts Price Catalog, as revised by GE from time
      to time (the "Spare Parts Catalog" or "Catalog"), or in procurement data
      issued by GE in 


                                       -1
<PAGE>   4

      accordance with Airline ATA Specification 2000 (as the same may be revised
      or superseded from time to time, the "Procurement Data") or (ii) GE's
      written quotation or proposal, as applicable, and as confirmed in the
      purchase order accepted by GE. GE shall quote prices in U.S. Dollars, and
      Airline shall pay for Products in U.S. Dollars in accordance with the
      payment provisions described in Article V and Exhibit D hereto. All
      Product prices include the cost of GE's standard tests, inspection and
      commercial packaging. Transportation costs and costs resulting from
      special inspection, packaging, testing, or other special requirements,
      requested by Airline, will be paid for by Airline.

B.    SPARE PARTS AVAILABLE THROUGH CATALOG. The selling price of Spare Parts,
      will be set forth in the most current Catalog or in Procurement Data
      issued by GE. The price of a new Spare Part which is first listed by GE in
      Procurement Data, may be changed by GE in subsequent Procurement Data
      revisions until such time as the Part is included in the Catalog. GE will
      advise Airline in writing ninety (90) days in advance of any changes in
      prices affecting a significant portion of the prices in the Catalog.
      During such ninety (90) day period, GE shall not be obligated to accept
      Airline purchase orders for quantities of Spare Parts in excess of up to
      ninety (90) days normal usage beyond the effective date of the announced
      price change.

C.    NON-CATALOG PRODUCTS

      The prices of Products (other than Spare Parts listed in the Catalog or
      Procurement Data described in paragraph B above) will be the prices quoted
      to Airline by GE in a written quotation or proposal escalated as nearly as
      practicable to the date of such quotation or proposal. All prices will be
      quoted as Base Prices, subject to escalation using the appropriate GE
      escalation provisions then in effect. Prices for Products are established
      at the time of delivery. A copy of GE's current escalation formula is set
      forth in Attachment C hereto. No change to such escalation provisions will
      apply to Airline until GE provides Airline at least ninety days prior
      written notice.

ARTICLE III - ORDER PLACEMENT

A.    This Agreement shall constitute the terms and conditions applicable to all
      purchase orders which may hereafter be placed by Airline and accepted by
      GE for Products in lieu of all printed terms and conditions appearing on
      Airline's purchase orders; except, that, the description of Products,
      price, quantity, delivery dates and shipping instructions shall be as set
      forth on each purchase order accepted by GE.


                                       -2
<PAGE>   5

B.    Airline shall place purchase orders for Products quoted by GE, in
      accordance with GE's quotation for such Products.

C.    Airline may place purchase orders for Spare Parts using any of the
      following methods: telephone, facsimile transmission, ARINC or SITA
      utilizing ATA Specification 2000 (chapter 3 format) or Airline purchase
      order as prescribed in the Catalog or GE's quotation.

D.    Airline shall place purchase orders for initial provisioning quantities of
      Spare Parts as provided in the attached Exhibit B within one hundred
      eighty days (180) following receipt from GE of initial Provisioning Data
      relating thereto.

E.    GE's acknowledgment of each purchase order shall constitute acceptance
      thereof.

ARTICLE IV - DELIVERY, TITLE, TRANSPORTATION, RISK OF LOSS, PACKAGING

A.    GE shall deliver Products under each purchase order placed by Airline and
      accepted by GE, on a mutually agreed upon schedule consistent with GE's
      lead times and as set forth in each such purchase order. Delivery dates
      are subject to (1) prompt receipt by GE of all information necessary to
      permit GE to proceed with work immediately and without interruption, and
      (2) Airline's compliance with the payment terms set forth herein.

B.    Delivery of all Products shall be: (1) to the common carrier designated by
      Airline, Ex Works (Incoterms, 1990), Evendale, Ohio, U.S.A., or point of
      manufacture, at GE's option; or (2) to storage, in the event shipment
      cannot be made for reasons set forth in Paragraph C of this Article IV.
      Title to and risk of loss or damage shall pass to Airline upon delivery.
      All transportation costs, in-transit insurance and any other shipment
      expenses for Products will be paid for by Airline. GE shall, however,
      following delivery to Airline, provide transportation free of charge to
      the Greater Cincinnati International Airport for any Spare Parts for which
      Airline requests air shipment.

C.    If any Product cannot be delivered when ready due to any cause specified
      in Article VIII (Excusable Delay), GE may make delivery by placing such
      Product in storage. In such event, (1) all expenses incurred by GE for
      activities such as, but not limited to, preparation for and placement into
      storage and handling, storage, inspection, preservation and insurance
      shall be paid by Airline upon presentation of GE's invoices, and (2) GE
      shall assist and cooperate with Airline in any reasonable manner with
      respect to the removal of any such Product from storage.


                                       -3
<PAGE>   6

D.    Unless otherwise instructed by Airline, GE shall deliver each Product,
      except for Spare Parts, packaged in accordance with GE's normal standards
      for domestic shipment or export shipment. Any special boxing or
      preparation for shipment specified by Airline shall be for Airline's
      account and responsibility. The price of any re-usable shipping stand or
      container is not included in the price of the Product, however, the price
      of any re-usable shipping stand or container will be invoiced by GE to
      Airline at time of shipment. In the event any such shipping stand or
      container is returned by Airline to the original point of shipment, in
      reusable condition within ninety (90) days after shipment, GE will refund
      to Airline the price of such shipping stand or container paid by Airline.

E.    GE shall deliver Spare Parts packaged and labeled in accordance with ATA
      Specification No. 300, Revision No. 18, or to a revision mutually agreed
      in writing between GE and Airline. GE shall notify Airline, where
      applicable, that certain Spare Parts are packed in unit package quantities
      ("UPQ's"), or multiples thereof.

ARTICLE V - PAYMENT

Airline shall pay GE with respect to Products purchased hereunder as set forth
in the attached Exhibit D.

ARTICLE VI - TAXES

1.    The selling prices include and GE shall be responsible for the payment of
      any imposts, duties, fees, taxes, dues or any charges whatsoever imposed
      or levied in connection with Products prior to their delivery.

2.    Upon delivery, Airline shall be responsible for the payment of all other
      imposts, duties, taxes, dues or any other charges whatsoever imposed or
      levied in connection with such Products and Airline shall pay to GE, upon
      demand, or furnish to GE evidence of exemption therefrom, any taxes
      (including without limitation, sales, use, excise, turnover or value added
      tax) duties, fees, charges or assessments of any nature (but excluding any
      taxes in the nature of income taxes), legally assessed or levied by any
      governmental authority against GE or its employees, its subsidiaries or
      their employees as a result of any sale, delivery, transfer, use, export,
      import or possession of such Product, or otherwise in connection with this
      Agreement. If claim is made against GE for any such duties, fees, charges,
      or assessments, GE shall immediately notify Airline and, if requested by
      Airline, GE shall not pay except under protest, and if payment be made,
      shall use all reasonable effort to obtain a refund thereof. If all or any
      part of any such taxes, duties, fees, charges or


                                       -4
<PAGE>   7

      assessments be refunded, GE shall repay to Airline such part thereof as
      Airline shall have paid. Airline shall pay to GE, upon demand, all
      expenses (including penalties and interest) incurred by GE in protesting
      payment and in endeavoring to obtain such refund.

ARTICLE VII - WARRANTY AND CF6-80C2 PRODUCT SUPPORT PLAN

The CF6 product support plan for Airline's operation of Products including
warranties relating to CF6 Products either purchased by Airline directly from GE
or installed on Airline's aircraft as Original Equipment is set forth in
Sections II through X of Exhibit B to this Agreement (the CF6 Product Support
Plan).

ARTICLE VIII - EXCUSABLE DELAY

GE shall not be liable for delays in delivery or failure to perform due to (1)
causes beyond its reasonable control, or (2) acts of God, acts of Airline, acts
of civil or military authority, fires, strikes, floods, epidemics, war, civil
disorder, riot, delays in transportation, or (3) inability due to causes beyond
its reasonable control to obtain necessary labor, material, or components. In
the event of any such delay, the date of delivery shall be extended for a period
equal to the time lost by reason of the delay. This provision shall not,
however, relieve GE from using reasonable efforts to continue performance
whenever such causes are removed. GE shall promptly notify Airline when such
delays occur or impending delays are likely to occur and shall continue to
advise it of new shipping schedules and changes thereto. In the event an
excusable delay continues for a period of six months or more beyond the
scheduled delivery date, Airline or GE may, upon thirty days written notice to
the other, cancel the part of any purchase order so delayed and GE shall return
to Airline all payments relative to the canceled part of the order and Airline
shall pay GE its reasonable cancellation charges.

ARTICLE IX - PATENTS

A.    GE shall handle all claims and defend any suit or proceeding brought
      against Airline insofar as based on a claim that without further
      combination, any Product furnished under this Agreement constitutes an
      infringement of any patent of the United States or of any patent of any
      other country that is signatory to Article 27 of the Convention on
      International Civil Aviation signed by the United States at Chicago on
      December 7, 1944, in which Airline is authorized to operate or in which
      another airline pursuant to lawful interchange, lease or similar
      arrangement, operates aircraft of Airline. This paragraph shall apply only
      to Products manufactured to GE's design.


                                       -5
<PAGE>   8

B.    GE's liability hereunder is conditioned upon Airline promptly notifying GE
      in writing and giving GE authority, information and assistance (at GE's
      expense) for the defense of any suit or proceeding. In case such Product
      is held in such suit or proceeding to constitute infringement and the use
      of said Product is enjoined, GE shall expeditiously, at its own expense
      and at its option, either (1) procure for Airline the right to continue
      using said Product; (2) replace same with satisfactory and noninfringing
      Product; or (3) modify same so it becomes satisfactory and noninfringing.
      GE shall not be responsible to Airline or to said other airline, for
      incidental or consequential damages, including, but not limited to, costs,
      expenses, liabilities and loss of profits resulting from loss of use under
      this Article IX. 

C.    The remedies described in paragraphs A and B above do not apply to any
      Product or Part (1) not purchased by Airline from GE (except for Products
      or Parts installed as Original Equipment on aircraft owned, leased or
      operated by Airline); (2) that was changed, modified, or not used for its
      intended purpose; or (3) that was manufactured by GE to Airline's unique
      specifications or directions. GE assumes no liability for patent
      infringement as to such items.

The obligations recited in this Article IX shall constitute the sole and
exclusive remedies of Airline (and any other operator of Airline's GE Engine
powered aircraft) and the sole and exclusive liability of GE and GE's
wholly-owned affiliate, GE Engine Services Distribution, L.L.D., for actual and
alleged patent infringement.

ARTICLE X - INFORMATION AND DATA

A.    All information and data, including, but not limited to, all repair
      processes and procedures, manuals, designs, drawings, blueprints,
      tracings, plans, models, layouts, specifications, and memoranda, (the
      "Information and Data") which may be furnished or made available to
      Airline, directly or indirectly, as the result of this Agreement shall
      remain the property of GE. All Information and Data is proprietary to GE
      and shall neither be used by Airline nor furnished by Airline to any other
      person, firm or corporation for any purpose nor permitted out of Airline's
      possession nor divulged to any other person, firm or corporation, except
      as otherwise agreed in writing. *** Airline shall take all steps
      reasonably necessary to insure compliance by its employees, agents, and
      subcontractors with this Article X.

B.    Nothing in this Agreement shall convey to Airline the right to reproduce
      or cause the reproduction of any Product of a design identical or similar
      to that of the Product purchased hereunder or give to Airline a license
      under any patents or rights owned or controlled by GE.


                                       -6
<PAGE>   9

C.    Airline acquires no ownership rights in any of the computer software that
      may be provided to Airline by GE under this Agreement. Airline shall only
      be licensed to use such computer software under the terms and conditions
      of separate written agreements between the Airline and the appropriate
      owner of such software.

ARTICLE XI - FAA CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

A.    All Products, when required by the U.S. Government, shall, at time of
      delivery:

      1.    Conform to a Type Certificate issued by the FAA.

      2.    Conform to applicable regulations issued by the FAA, provided such
            regulations are promulgated prior to the date of Airline's purchase
            order issued under this Agreement for such Products .

B.    If, subsequent to the date of acceptance of the purchase order for such
      Products but prior to their delivery by GE to Airline, the FAA issues
      changes in regulations covering Products sold under this Agreement and
      such changes in regulations are promulgated after the date of Airline
      purchase orders for such Products, then all costs associated with any
      Product modifications necessitated thereby will be shared equally by GE
      and Airline; provided however, that costs associated with any
      modifications to the airframe required by such Product modifications shall
      not be borne by GE.

C.    Any delay occasioned by complying with such regulations set forth in
      Paragraph B above shall be deemed an Excusable Delay under Article VIII
      hereof, and, in addition, appropriate adjustments shall be made in the
      specifications to reflect the effect of compliance with such regulations.

ARTICLE XII - TERMINATION FOR INSOLVENCY

A.    Upon the commencement of any bankruptcy or reorganization proceeding by or
      against either party hereto (the "Defaulting Party"), the other Party
      hereto may, upon written notice to the Defaulting Party, cease to perform
      any and all of its obligations under this Agreement and the purchase
      orders hereunder (including, without limitation, continuing work in
      progress and making deliveries or progress payments or downpayments)
      unless the Defaulting Party shall provide adequate assurance, in the
      opinion of the other Party hereto, that the Defaulting Party will continue
      to perform all of its obligations under this Agreement and the purchase
      orders hereunder in accordance with the terms hereof, and will promptly
      compensate the other Party hereto for any actual pecuniary loss resulting
      from the Defaulting Party 


                                       -7
<PAGE>   10

      being unable to perform in full its obligations hereunder and under the
      purchase orders. If the Defaulting Party or the trustee thereof shall fail
      to promptly provide such adequate assurance, upon notice to the Defaulting
      Party by the other Party hereto, this Agreement and all purchase orders
      hereunder shall be canceled.

B.    Either Party, at its option, may cancel this Agreement or any purchase
      order hereunder with respect to any or all of the Products to be furnished
      hereunder which are undelivered or not furnished on the effective date of
      such cancellation by giving the other Party written notice, as hereinafter
      provided, at any time after a receiver of the other's assets is appointed
      on account of insolvency, or the other makes a general assignment for the
      benefit of its creditors and such appointment of a receiver shall remain
      in force undismissed, unvacated or unstayed for a period of sixty days
      thereafter. Such notice of cancellation shall be given thirty days prior
      to the effective date of cancellation, except that, in the case of a
      voluntary general assignment for the benefit of creditors, such notice
      need not precede the effective date of cancellation.

ARTICLE XIII - LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
   
The liability of GE to Airline arising out of, connected with, or resulting
from the manufacture, sale, possession, use or handling of any Product
(including Engines installed on Airline's owned or leased aircraft as Original
Equipment) or furnishing of services, whether in contract, tort (including,
without limitation, negligence) or otherwise, shall be as set forth in the
CF6-80CZ Product Support Plan included in Exhibit B hereof, and shall not in any
event exceed the purchase price of the Product, service or other thing giving
rise to Airline's claim. The foregoing shall constitute the sole remedy of
Airline and the sole liability of GE. In no event shall GE be liable for
special, incidental or consequential damages, including but not limited to,
damage to, or loss of use, revenue or profit with respect to any aircraft,
engine, or part thereof. THE WARRANTIES AND GUARANTEES SET FORTH IN EXHIBIT B TO
THIS AGREEMENT (THE CF6-80CZ PRODUCT SUPPORT PLAN) ARE EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF
ALL OTHER WARRANTIES AND GUARANTEES WHETHER WRITTEN, STATUTORY, ORAL, OR IMPLIED
(INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY ARISING FROM COURSE OF DEALING,
COURSE OF PERFORMANCE, OR USAGE OF TRADE).

For the purpose of this Article XIII, the term "GE" means General Electric
Company, GE Engine Services Distribution, L.L.C., their subsidiaries, assigns,
subcontractors, suppliers, Product co-producers, and the respective directors,
officers, employees, and agents of each.

    
                                       
ARTICLE XIV - EXPORT SHIPMENT

If GE agrees in writing upon Airline's written request, to assist Airline to
arrange for export shipment of Products, Airline shall pay GE for all fees and
expenses including, but not limited to, those covering preparation of consular
invoices, freight, storage, and warehouse to warehouse (including war risk)
insurance, upon submission of GE's invoices. In such event, GE will assist
Airline in applying for any required export license and in preparing consular
documents according to Airline's instructions or in the absence thereof,
according to its best judgment but without liability for error or incorrect
declarations including, but not limited to, liability for fines or other
charges.

ARTICLE XV - GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATION

Airline shall be responsible for obtaining any required authorization such as
export licenses, import licenses, exchange permits or any other required
governmental authorization. Airline shall restrict disclosure of all information
and data furnished thereto under this Agreement and shall ship the direct
product of such information and data to only those destinations which are
authorized by the U.S. Government. At the request of Airline, GE will provide
Airline with a list of such authorized destinations. GE shall not be liable if
any authorization is delayed, denied, revoked, restricted or not renewed and
Airline shall not be relieved of its obligation to pay GE hereunder.


                                       -8
<PAGE>   11

ARTICLE XVI- NOTICES

Any notices under this Agreement shall become effective upon receipt and shall
be in writing and be delivered or sent by mail or electronic transmission to the
respective parties at the following addresses, which may be changed by written
notice:

If to: Atlas Air, Inc.           If to: General Electric Company
       Bldg. 51                         GE Aircraft Engines
       JFK International Airport        One Neumann Way - F17
       Jamaica, NY  11430-1203          Cincinnati, Ohio 45215-1988 USA

Attention:                           Attention: Director, Commercial Contracts
Facsimile Number: ______________              Facsimile Number: (513) 243-8068
Telephone Number: _____________               Telephone Number: (513) 243-2060

Notice sent by the U.S. mail, postage prepaid, shall be deemed received within
seven days after deposit.

ARTICLE XVII - MISCELLANEOUS

A.    Assignment of Agreement. This Agreement may not be assigned, in whole or
      in part, by either Party without the prior written consent of the other
      Party; except, that (i) Airline's consent shall not be required for the
      assignment by GE of all or a portion of the Agreement to a subsidiary of
      GE, including without limitation, GE Services Distribution, L.L.C, a
      wholly owned affiliate of GE that will perform the Spare Parts sales and
      distribution obligations discussed in Articles I through IV above; and
      (ii) in accordance with Section II.E of Exhibit B, warranties relating to
      Engines and Parts may be assigned in connection with any equipment trust,
      conditional sale, lien, leaseback or other arrangement for the financing
      or leasing by Airline of the Engines that are the subject matter of this
      Agreement. Any other purported assignment will be void.

B.    Exclusivity of Agreement. Except as otherwise expressly provided to the
      contrary, the rights herein granted and this Agreement are for the benefit
      of the Parties hereto and are not for the benefit of any Third Person,
      firm or corporation, and nothing herein contained shall be construed to
      create any rights in any Third Party under, as the result of, or in
      connection with this Agreement.

C.    Applicable Law; Venue. All aspects of this Agreement and the obligations
      arising hereunder will be governed in accordance with the law of the State
      of New York, U.S.A.; except, that New York conflict of law rules will not
      apply if the result would 


                                       -9
<PAGE>   12

      be the application of the laws of another jurisdiction. The United Nations
      Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods shall not
      apply to this Agreement. In the event of an unresolved dispute, each of
      the Parties hereby irrevocably agree to submit to the non-exclusive
      jurisdiction of the state and federal courts (as appropriate) of New York,
      U.S.A. The Parties hereby waive any objection that such courts lack
      personal jurisdiction or are an inconvenient forum.

D.    Entire Agreement; Modification. This Agreement contains the entire and
      only agreement between the parties, and it supersedes all pre-existing
      agreements between such parties, respecting the subject matter hereof; and
      any representation, promise or condition in connection therewith not
      incorporated herein shall not be binding upon either Party. No
      modification, renewal, extension, waiver, or termination of this Agreement
      or any of the provisions herein contained shall be binding upon the Party
      against whom enforcement of such modification, renewal, extension, waiver
      or termination (except as provided in Article XII hereof) is sought,
      unless it is made in writing and signed on behalf of GE and Airline by
      duly authorized representatives.

E.    Confidentiality of Information. This Agreement contains information
      specifically for Airline and GE and nothing herein contained shall be
      divulged by Airline or GE to any Third Party without the consent of the
      other Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; except,
      that, consent shall not be required for disclosure to the respective
      insurers and professional advisors of the Parties who must likewise agree
      to be bound by this confidentiality clause. Airline's consent shall not be
      required for GE to divulge to its partners information from, or with
      respect to this Agreement, it being understood that each such partner will
      also be bound by the provisions of this ARTICLE XVII - E.

F.    Duration of Agreement. This Agreement shall remain in full force and
      effect until (1) Airline ceases to operate at least one aircraft powered
      by Products set forth herein, (2) less than five aircraft powered by such
      Products are in commercial airline service, (3) this Agreement is
      terminated in whole or in part under either the provisions of Article
      VIII. (Excusable Delay) or Article XII. (Termination for Insolvency)
      hereof, or (4) by mutual consent of the parties, whichever occurs first.
      Nothing herein shall affect the rights and obligations and limitations set
      forth in this Agreement as to Products ordered for delivery and work
      performed prior to termination of this Agreement.

G.    Survival Of Certain Clauses. The rights and obligations of the Parties
      under the following Articles, as amended, and related Exhibits shall
      survive the expiration, termination, completion or cancellation of this
      Agreement:


                                      -10
<PAGE>   13

       Article V       Payment
       Article VI      Taxes
       Article X       Information and Data
       Article XIII    Limitation of Liability
       Article XV      Governmental Authorization
       Article XVII    Miscellaneous, paragraphs C. and E.

H.    General Rules of Contract Interpretation. Article and paragraph headings
      contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only
      and do not limit or restrict the interpretation of this Agreement. Words
      used in the singular shall have a comparable meaning when used in the
      plural and vice versa, unless the contrary intention appears. Words such
      as "hereunder", "hereof" and "herein" and other words beginning with
      "here" refer to the whole of this Agreement, including Amendments, and not
      to any particular Article. References to Articles, paragraphs, Attachments
      or Exhibits will refer to the specified Article, paragraph, Attachment or
      Exhibit of this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

I.    Language. This Agreement, order, Data, notices, shipping invoices,
      correspondence and other writings furnished hereunder shall be in the
      English language.

J.    Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any part of this
      Agreement or the invalidity of its application to a specific situation or
      circumstance shall not effect the validity of the remainder of this
      Agreement, or its application to other situations or circumstances. In
      addition, if a part of this Agreement becomes invalid, the Parties will
      endeavor in good faith to reach agreement on a replacement provision which
      will reflect, as nearly as possible, the intent of the original provision.

K.    Waiver. The failure at any time of either Party to enforce any of the
      provisions of this Agreement or to require performance by the other Party
      of any of its provisions shall in no way affect the validity of this
      Agreement or the right of the other Party thereafter to enforce each and
      every such provision. The express waiver by either Party of any provision,
      condition, or requirement of this Agreement, shall not constitute a waiver
      of any subsequent obligation to comply with such provision, condition, or
      requirement.

Counterparts: This Agreement may be signed by the Parties in separate
counterparts, and any single counterpart or set of counterparts, when signed and
delivered to the other Party shall together constitute one and the same document
and be an original Agreement for all purposes.


                                      -11
<PAGE>   14

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the
day and the year first above written.

ATLAS AIR, INC.                           GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY

By:                                       By:
    ----------------------------------        --------------------------------

Typed Name:                               Typed Name:
            --------------------------                ------------------------

Title:                                    Title:
       -------------------------------           -----------------------------

Date:                                     Date:
      --------------------------------          ------------------------------


                                      -12
<PAGE>   15

                                    EXHIBIT A

                     CF6-80C2 SERIES PRODUCTS APPLICABLE TO
                        AIRLINE'S TYPE 747-400F AIRCRAFT

I.    Model CF6-80C2B1F Turbofan Engines as certified by the U.S. Federal
      Aviation Administration ("FAA") and as specified in the applicable
      purchase order.

II.   Related Optional Equipment for the above Engines.

III.  Engine Modules

      A.    Fan Module
      B.    Core Module (HPC - Combustor - 1st Stage HPT Nozzle)
      C.    High Pressure Turbine ("HPT") Module
      D.    Low Pressure Turbine ("LPT") Module
      E.    Accessory Gearbox

IV.   Spare Parts for I. above (sold and supplied by GE Engine Services
      Distribution, L.L.C.).

V.    Special tools and test equipment including ground support equipment.

VI.   Other CF6-80 Products as may be offered for sale by GE from time to time.

VII.  Technical Data, training or other thing furnished by GE under this
      Agreement.

                                       ***
<PAGE>   16

                                    EXHIBIT B

                          CF6-80C2 PRODUCT SUPPORT PLAN

SECTION I - DEFINITIONS

These definitions shall apply for all purposes of this Agreement, unless the
context requires otherwise. The meanings shall be equally applicable to both the
singular and the plural forms of the terms defined, unless the context requires
otherwise.

1.    "Agreement" means the General Terms Agreement between GE and Airline to
      which this Exhibit B is attached.

2.    "Article" means an Article of this Agreement.

3.    "ATA" means the Aviation Transportation Association.

4.    "Base Price" means the price established in the GE proposal, quotation or
      purchase order (as applicable) for a specific Product which corresponds to
      an appropriate Base Composite Price Index in such proposal, quotation or
      purchase order (as applicable).

5.    "Base Composite Price Index" means the index stated in the published
      prices announced by GE from time to time which corresponds to the Base
      Price.

6.    "Catalog" means GE's most recent Engine Spare Parts Price Catalog for the
      appropriate engine model which describes the selling price and delivery
      lead time for identified Spare Parts.

7.    "Data" includes, but is not limited to, Product information in any form or
      medium, such as technical information, technology, printed or computer
      aided designs, drawings, blueprints, tracings, plans, models, movies,
      pictures, layouts, specifications, Product manufacturing or Product repair
      procedures or techniques, reports, financial information, technical data
      furnished in accordance with Section IV of Exhibit B to this Agreement,
      and other Product related Information or memoranda furnished under this
      Agreement.

8.    "Engine" means the Engine described in Exhibit A.

9.    "Ex Works" has the meaning accorded thereto in Incoterms, 1990 edition.

10.   "Exhibit" means an exhibit to this Agreement, including all modifications
      and amendments thereto.


                                      B-1
<PAGE>   17

11.   "Expendable Parts" means those Parts which must routinely be replaced
      during Inspection, repair, or maintenance, whether or not such Parts have
      been damaged and other Parts which are customarily replaced at each such
      inspection and maintenance period such as filter inserts and other
      short-lived items which are not dependent on wear out but replaced at
      predetermined intervals.

12.   "FAA" means the Federal Aviation Administration of the Department of
      Transportation of the United States, and any successor agency thereof.

13.   "Failed Parts" means those Parts and Expendable Parts suffering a Failure
      or mutually determined to have caused the Engine to be unserviceable and
      incapable of continued operation without requiring corrective action and
      shall include any Part or Expendable Part with a defect in material or
      workmanship discovered prior to the initial use of a Part or Expendable
      Part.
      
14.   "Failure" means the breakage of a Part, malfunction of a Part, or injury
      to a Part, rendering it unserviceable for any reason within GE's control.
      Failure shall also include any defect in material or workmanship
      discovered prior to the initial use of a Part. Failure does not include
      normal wear and tear and deterioration which can be restored by overhaul
      or repair.
      

15.   "Flight Cycle" means the complete running of an Engine from start through
      any condition of flight and ending at Engine shutdown. A "touch and go
      landing" used during pilot training shall be considered as a "Flight
      Cycle."

16.   "Flight Hours" means the cumulative number of airborne hours in operation
      of each Engine computed from the time an aircraft leaves the ground until
      it touches the ground at the end of a flight.

17.   "Foreign Object Damage" means any damage to the Engine caused by objects
      which are not part of the Engine and Engine Optional Equipment.

18.   GEES" means GE Engine Services Distribution, L.L.C., a Delaware company
      that is a wholly-owned affiliate of GE, with its principal place of
      business at One Neumann Way, MD-111, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A.

19.   Incoterms" means International Chamber of Commerce Incoterms, 1990
      Edition.

20.   "Inspection" means an observation of an Engine or Parts thereof, through
      disassembly or other means, for the purpose of determining serviceability.

21.   "Labor Allowance" 

22.   Module"" means a the appropriate major serialized subassembly of the
      Engine described on Exhibit A of this Agreement.

23.   "Original Equipment" means the installed Engines or Products supplied to
      Airline through the aircraft manufacturer as part of Airline's new
      Aircraft.

24.   "Part" means only those Engine and Module Parts which have been sold
      originally to Airline by GE or GEES for commercial use. The term excludes
      parts which were furnished on new Engines and Modules but are procured
      directly from vendors. Such parts are covered by the Vendor Warranty and
      the General Electric "Vendor Warranty 


                                      B-2
<PAGE>   18

      Back Up" described in Section II of Exhibit B of this Agreement. Also
      excluded are Expendable Parts and customary short-lived items such as
      filter inserts.

25.   "Part Time" means the total number of Flight Hours flown by a Part since
      delivery to Airline.

26.   "Parts Credit Allowance"
      ***

27.   "Parts Cycles" means the total number of Flight Cycles accumulated by a
      Part since its delivery to Airline.

28.   "Parts Repair" means the GE recommended rework or restoration of Failed
      Parts to a serviceable condition, excluding repair of normal wear and tear
      and deterioration.

29.   "Scheduled Inspection" means the Inspection of an Engine conducted when an
      Engine has approximately completed a planned operating interval.

30.   "Scrapped Parts" means those Parts determined to be unserviceable and not
      repairable by virtue of reliability, performance or repair costs. Such
      Parts shall be disposed of by Airline unless requested by GE for
      engineering analysis, in which event any handling and shipping shall be at
      GE's expense.

31.   "Spare Engine" means an Engine, except installed Engines, which is
      purchased by Airline from GE for commercial use.

32.   "Spare Parts"- see Part.

33.   "Third Party" means any individual, firm, company, corporation,
      partnership, joint venture, association, trust, unincorporated
      organization or body, or any country, state, jurisdiction or government,
      or any agency, authority, instrumentality or political subdivision
      thereof, in each case whether having a distinct legal personality or not,
      other than GE, GE Engine Services Distribution, L.L.C., and Airline.

34.   "Ultimate Life" of a Part means the approved limitation on use of a Part,
      in cumulative Flight Hours or Flight Cycles, which either GE or a U.S.
      Government authority establishes as the maximum period of allowed
      operational time for such Parts in Airline service, with periodic repair
      and restoration. The term does not include individual Failure from wear
      and tear or other cause not related to the total usage capability of all
      such Parts in Airline service.

SECTION II - WARRANTIES AND SPECIAL GUARANTEES

A.    New Engine Warranty


                                      B-3
<PAGE>   19

      1.    GE warrants each new Engine and Module against Failure for the
            initial *** Flight Hours as follows:

            a.    Parts Credit Allowance will be granted for any Failed Parts.

            b.    Labor Allowance for disassembly, reassembly, test and Parts
                  Repair of any new Engine part will be granted for replacement
                  of Failed Parts.

            c.    Such Parts Credit Allowance, test and Labor Allowance will be:
                  100% from new to *** Flight Hours and decreasing pro rata from
                  100% at *** Flight Hours to zero percent at *** Flight Hours.

      2.    As an alternative to the above allowances, GE shall upon request of
            Airline:

            a.    Arrange to have failed Engines and Modules repaired as
                  appropriate, at a facility designated by GE at no charge to
                  Airline for the first *** Flight Hours and at a charge to
                  Airline increasing pro rata from zero percent of GE's repair
                  costs at *** Flight Hours to 100% of such GE repair costs at
                  ***Flight Hours. 

            b.    ***

B.    New Parts Warranty

      In addition to the warranty granted for new Engines and Modules GE
      warrants Engine and Module Parts as follows:

      1.    During the first *** Flight Hours for such Parts and Expendable
            Parts, GE will grant 100% Parts Credit Allowance or Labor Allowance
            for repair labor for failed Parts.

      2.    GE will grant a pro rata Parts Credit Allowance for Scrapped Parts
            decreasing from 100% at *** Flight Hours Part Time to zero percent
            at the applicable hours designated in Table 1.

C.    Ultimate Life Warranty

      1.    GE warrants Ultimate Life limits on the following parts:

            a. ***

            b. ***

            c. ***

            d. ***

            e. ***

            f. ***


                                      B-4
<PAGE>   20

      2.    GE will grant a pro rata Parts Credit Allowance of 100% when new to
            *** Flight Cycles, and a credit allowance decreasing pro rata from
            100% at *** Flight Cycles to zero percent at *** Flight Cycles.
            Credit will be granted only when such Parts are permanently removed
            from service by a GE or U.S. Government imposed Ultimate Life
            Limitation of less than *** Flight Cycles.

D.    Campaign Change Warranty

      1.    *** GE will grant the following Parts Credit Allowances:

                  Engines and Modules

                  (i)   *** For Parts in inventory or removed from service when
                        new or with *** Flight Hours or less total Part Time.

                  (ii)  Pro rata for Parts in inventory or removed from service
                        decreasing pro rata from *** at *** Flight Hours to ***
                        at *** Flight Hours.

                  (iii) *** For Parts in inventory or removed from service with
                        over *** Flight Hours since new, regardless of warranty
                        status.

      2.    Labor Allowance - GE will grant *** Labor Allowance for *** or ***
            of GE-supplied Engines, Modules or Parts therefor when such action
            is required to comply with a mandatory time compliance GE Service
            Bulletin or FAA Airworthiness Directive. A Labor Allowance will be
            granted by GE for other GE issued Service Bulletins if so specified
            in such Service Bulletins.

      3.    Life Controlled Rotating Parts retired by Ultimate Life limits
            including FAA Airworthiness Directive, are excluded from Campaign
            Change Warranty.

E.    Warranty Pass-On

      If requested by Airline and agreed to by GE in writing, GE will extend
      warranty support for Engines sold by Airline to commercial airline
      operators, or to other aircraft operators. Such warranty support will be
      limited to the New Engine Warranty, New Parts Warranty, Ultimate Life
      Warranty and Campaign Change Warranty and will require such operator(s) to
      agree in writing to be bound by and comply with all the terms and
      conditions, including the limitations, applicable to such warranties as
      set forth in this Agreement.

F.    Vendor Back-Up Warranty

      1.    GE controls and accessories vendors provide a warranty on their
            products used on GE Engines. This warranty applies to controls and
            accessories sold to GE for


                                      B-5
<PAGE>   21

            delivery on installed or spare Engines and controls and accessories
            sold by the vendor to the airlines on a direct purchase basis. In
            the event the controls and accessories suffer a failure during the
            vendor's warranty period, Airline will submit a claim directly to
            the vendor in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
            vendor's warranty.

      2.    In the event a controls and accessories vendor fails to provide a
            warranty at least as favorable as the GE New Engine Warranty (for
            complete controls and accessories) or New Parts Warranty (for
            components thereof), or if provided, rejects a proper claim from
            Airline, GE will intercede on behalf of Airline to resolve the claim
            with the vendor. In the event GE is unable to resolve a proper claim
            with the vendor, GE will honor a claim from Airline under the
            provisions and subject to the limitations of GE's New Engine or New
            Parts Warranty, as applicable. Settlements under Vendor Back-Up
            Warranty will exclude credits for resultant damage to or from
            controls and accessories procured directly by Airline from vendors.

G.    Vendor Interface Warranty

      Should any CF6 control or accessory, for which GE is responsible, develop
      a problem due to its environment or interface with other controls and
      accessories or with an Engine, Module or equipment supplied by the
      aircraft manufacturer, GE will be responsible for initiating corrective
      action. If the vendor disclaims warranty responsibility for Parts
      requiring replacement, GE will apply the provisions of its New Parts
      Warranty to such Part whether it was purchased originally from GE or
      directly from the vendor.

H.    Condition Monitoring Warranty

      1.    GE warrants CF6 Condition Monitoring Equipment, installed on new
            Engines, in accordance with the provisions of its New Engine
            Warranty as heretofore set forth, except that no Labor Allowance
            will be granted for *** of any new Engine component due to
            inoperative or malfunctioning Condition Monitoring Equipment.

      2.    GE warrants CF6 condition monitoring equipment, purchased as Spare
            Parts, in accordance with the provisions of its New Parts Warranty
            as heretofore set forth.

I.    Special Tools and Test Equipment Warranty

      1.    GE warrants to Airline that the special tools and test equipment
            sold hereunder will, *** be free from defects in material,
            workmanship and title.

      2.    If it appears within *** from the date of shipment by GE that any
            special tool or test equipment delivered hereunder does not meet the
            warranties specified in 


                                      B-6
<PAGE>   22

            Paragraph 1. above and the Airline so notifies GE in writing prior
            to the expiration of, *** GE shall, at its option, upon Airline's
            satisfactory demonstration that such special tool or test equipment
            was defective at the time of delivery, correct any such defects
            either by repairing the defective item or by making available a
            repair or replacement item, Ex Works, GE's plant, or by refunding
            the purchase price of such item. At the request of GE, Airline, at
            its expense, shall ship the defective item to a location on the
            Airline's system designated by GE.

      3.    GE reserves the right to make changes in design and add improvements
            without incurring any obligation to make, at GE's expense, the same
            on other special tools or test equipment previously sold by GE.

      4.    This Special Tools and Test Equipment Warranty is applicable only if
            the special tools and test equipment are operated, handled, used,
            maintained, and repaired in accordance with GE's then-current
            recommendations as stated in its manuals, bulletins, or other
            written instructions.

J.    Special Guarantees

      GE will provide the following CF6-80C2B1F special guarantees which have
been tailored to the fleet average flight conditions of the Airline. The basis
for and conditions applicable to these guarantees are described in Attachment I
hereto.

      1.    In-Flight Shutdown (IFSD) Rate Guarantee
            ***

      2.    Delay and Cancellation Rate Guarantee
            ***

            Delays and cancellations are defined in Attachment III.

      3.    Remote Site Removal Rate Guarantee
            ***

      4.    Performance Retention Guarantee
            ***

K.    THE WARRANTIES AND SPECIAL GUARANTEES SET FORTH IN THIS PRODUCT SUPPORT
      PLAN ARE EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES AND GUARANTEES,
      WHETHER WRITTEN, STATUTORY, ORAL, OR IMPLIED (INCLUDING, WITHOUT
      LIMITATION, ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
      PURPOSE OR ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY ARISING FROM COURSE OF DEALING, COURSE OF
      PERFORMANCE, OR USAGE OF TRADE). THESE WARRANTIES AND GUARANTEES ARE
      SUBJECT TO THE GENERAL CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN SECTION X OF THIS EXHIBIT
      B.


                                      B-7
<PAGE>   23

SECTION III - SPARE PARTS PROVISIONING

A.    Provisioning Data

      1.    In connection with Airline's initial provisioning of Spare Parts, GE
            shall furnish Airline with data in accordance with ATA 2000
            Specification using Revision No. 20, or a revision mutually agreed
            to in writing by GE and Airline.

      2.    It is the intention of the parties hereto to comply with the
            requirements of the ATA 2000 Specification and any future changes
            thereto, except that neither party shall deny the other the right to
            negotiate reasonable changes in the procedures or requirements of
            the Specification which procedures or requirements, if complied with
            exactly, would result in an undue operating burden or unnecessary
            economic penalty.

            The data to be provided by GE to Airline shall encompass all Parts
            listed in GE's Illustrated Parts Catalogs. GE further agrees to
            become total supplier of Initial Provisioning Data for all vendor
            Spare Parts in accordance with Paragraph 1. above.

      3.    Beginning on a date no earlier than eighteen (18) months and no
            later than twelve (12) months prior to delivery of Airline's first
            aircraft, or as mutually agreed, GE shall provide to Airline a
            complete set of Initial Provisioning Data and shall progressively
            revise this data until ninety (90) days after delivery of the first
            aircraft or as mutually agreed. A status report will be issued
            periodically. Provisioning data will be reinstituted for subsequent
            spare Engines reflecting the latest modification status. GE will
            make available a list of major suppliers as requested by Airline. GE
            will provide, or cause to be provided on behalf of its vendors, the
            same service detailed in this clause.

B.    Pre-Provisioning Conference

      A pre-provisioning conference, attended by the GE and Airline personnel
      directly responsible for initial provisioning of Spare Parts hereunder,
      will be held at a mutually agreed time and place prior to the placing by
      Airline of initial provisioning orders. The purpose of this conference is
      to discuss systems, procedures and documents available to the Airline for
      the initial provisioning cycle of the Products.

C.    Changes

      GE shall have the right to make corrections and changes in the Initial
      Provisioning Data in accordance with Chapter 2 (Initial Provisioning) of
      ATA 2000 Specification entitled "Integrated Data Processing Supply" using
      Revision No. 20, or a revision mutually agreed to in writing by GE and
      Airline. *** GE will progressively revise 


                                      B-8
<PAGE>   24

      Airline's Procurement Data tape in accordance with Chapter 3 (Order
      Administration) of ATA 2000 Specification entitled "Integrated Data
      Processing Supply" using Revision No. 20, or a revision mutually agreed to
      in writing by GE and Airline.

D.    Return Of Parts

      Airline shall have the right to return to GE, *** any new or unused Part
      which has been shipped in excess of the quantity ordered or which is not
      the part number ordered or which is in a discrepant condition except for
      damage in transit.

E.    Parts Buy-Back
      ***

F.    Parts of Modified Design

      1.    GE shall have the right to make modifications to design or changes
            in the Spare Parts sold to Airline hereunder.

      2.    GE will from time to time inform Airline in accordance with the
            means set forth in ATA 2000 Specification, when such Spare Parts of
            modified design become available for shipment hereunder.

      3.    Spare Parts of the modified design will be supplied unless Airline
            advises GE in writing of its contrary desire within ninety (90) days
            of the issuance of the Service Bulletin specifying the change to the
            modified Parts. In such event, Airline may negotiate for the
            continued supply of Spare Parts of the premodified design at a rate
            of delivery and price to be agreed upon.

G.    Spare Parts Availability

      1.    GE will ship reasonable quantities (three months normal usage) of
            Spare Parts which are included in GE's Spare Parts Catalog within 30
            business day lead time following receipt of an acceptable purchase
            order from Airline.

            Lead time for Spare Parts and other material which are not included
            in GE's Spare Parts Catalog will be shipped as quoted by GE.

      2.    GE will maintain a stock of Spare Parts to cover Airline's emergency
            needs. For purposes of this Paragraph, emergency is understood by GE
            and Airline to mean the occurrence of any one of the following
            conditions.

            AOG       -     Aircraft on Ground
            Critical  -     Imminent AOG or Work Stoppage
            Expedite  -     Less than Normal Lead Time


                                      B-9
<PAGE>   25

            Airline will order Spare Parts according to lead time as provided in
            Paragraph 1. above, but should Airline's Spare Parts requirements
            arise as a result of an emergency, Airline can draw such Spare Parts
            from GE's stock. A 24-hour telephone service is available to Airline
            for this purpose. If an emergency does exist, GE will use its best
            efforts to ship required Spare Part(s) within the time period set
            forth below following receipt of an acceptable purchase order from
            Airline.

                  AOG        -   ***
                  Critical   -   ***
                  Expedite   -   ***

SECTION IV - TECHNICAL DATA

A.    GE shall, as it may from time to time determine to be appropriate and
      necessary, furnish certain technical information or data, including
      revisions thereof, as may be needed by Airline in support of maintenance
      of the Products owned or operated by Airline under this Agreement.
      Examples of such technical information or data include:

            Component Maintenance Manual(s) 
            Engine Illustrated Parts Catalog 
            Engine Manual 
            Ground Support Equipment Manual(s) 
            Illustrated Tool and Equipment Manual 
            Nondestructive Testing Manual 
            Operating Instruction Manual 
            Service Bulletins 
            Service Bulletin Index 
            Standard Practices Manual 
            Technical Manual Index 
            Power Plant Build-up Manual 
            Structural Repair Manual

      Such technical information or data shall be furnished by GE to Airline in
      mutually agreed reasonable quantities, at a time and to a location as
      likewise mutually agreed. The technical information or data shall be
      prepared by GE in accordance with the applicable ATA Specifications. If
      Airline requires GE to furnish such technical information or data in a
      form different from that normally furnished by GE pursuant to ATA
      Specification 100, GE will, upon request from Airline, furnish Airline
      with a written quotation for furnishing such other form of technical
      information or data.

      Revisions to the above technical information or data shall be furnished by
      GE to Airline for as long as Airline operates one CF6-80C2-powered
      aircraft and there is a total of five CF6-80C2-powered aircraft in
      commercial airline service.


                                      B-10
<PAGE>   26

      GE shall incorporate in the Engine Illustrated Parts Catalog and the
      Engine Manual all appropriate GE Service Bulletins for as long as Airline
      receives revisions to technical information or data. Premodified and
      postmodified configurations shall be included by GE unless Airline informs
      GE that a configuration is no longer required.

B.    In addition to the above technical information or data to be furnished by
      GE to Airline, GE will have available with its Field Service
      Representatives, where appropriate, one set of 35MM aperture cards, or
      equivalent, of each Part and/or assembly drawing. GE will also supply to
      Airline, on request, in 35MM aperture card format, one copy of each
      special tool and equipment drawing.

C.    GE will require each vendor to furnish, as may be appropriate, technical
      information or data. Such vendor publications shall be furnished to
      Airline by GE, or the vendor in accordance with, and subject to the same
      provisions as, those set forth in Paragraph A. above.

      GE will also require its ground support equipment vendors, where
      appropriate, to furnish to Airline technical information or data as
      determined by GE to be necessary for Airline to maintain, overhaul and
      calibrate special tools and test equipment. Such vendor-furnished
      technical information or data shall be furnished in accordance with, and
      subject to the same provisions as, those set forth in Paragraph A. above,
      except that it shall be prepared in accordance with the applicable
      provisions of ATA Specification 101, as the same may be revised from time
      to time.

D.    All technical information or data furnished to Airline hereunder by GE or
      GE's vendors shall be printed in the English language. All technical
      information or data furnished to Airline hereunder by GE shall be subject
      to the provisions of Article X (Information and Data) and Article XVI
      (Governmental Authorization) of this Agreement.

SECTION V - TECHNICAL TRAINING

A.    General

      This general provision describes the current maintenance training to be
      provided by GE at GE's training facilities in Springdale, Ohio. GE will
      provide, at no charge to Airline, except as otherwise provided herein, a
      number of student days* for maintenance training as defined hereunder:

            -  ***

            -  ***

      * Student Days = number of students X number of class days


                                      B-11
<PAGE>   27

      Such days will be applied against courses selected from the list set forth
      in paragraph C (Standard Maintenance Training) listed on the next page.
      *** It is necessary for Airline to use such maintenance training days
      prior to delivery of the first aircraft, unless the parties have otherwise
      agreed in writing.

      All instruction, examinations and materials shall be prepared and
      presented in the English language and in the units of measure used by GE.
      Airline will provide interpreters, if required, for Airline's personnel.

      Airline will be responsible for the living and medical expenses of
      Airline's personnel during maintenance training. For maintenance training
      provided at Springdale, Ohio, GE will assist Airline's personnel in making
      arrangements for hotels and transportation between selected lodging and
      the training facility.

B.    Maintenance Training Conference

      No later than twelve months prior to delivery of Airline's first
      CF6-80C2-powered aircraft, GE and Airline will conduct a maintenance
      training conference call in order to schedule and discuss the maintenance
      training. Alternatively, Airline is welcome to visit GE's training
      facilities and discuss such training. During such maintenance conference
      call or visit, Airline will indicate the courses selected and arrange a
      mutually acceptable schedule.

C.    Standard Maintenance Training

      Standard maintenance training will consist of computer-based training in
      classroom presentations supported by training materials and, when
      applicable, hands-on practice. Training material will be based on ATA
      Specification 104 guidelines.

      ATA104-Level I    -     General Familiarization 
      ATA104-Level II   -     Ramp and Transit 
      ATA104-Level III  -     Line and Base Maintenance 
      ATA104-Level IV   -     Specialized Training:
                                    Borescope Inspection
                                    Fan Trim Balance
                                    Major Module Replacement
                                    Module Replacement

D.    Optional Maintenance Training

      Non-standard maintenance training courses are described in the current GE
      Training Course Syllabus ***.


                                      B-12
<PAGE>   28

E.    Training at a Facility Other Than GE's Facilities

      If requested prior to the conclusion of the maintenance training planning
      conference call or visit, GE will conduct the classroom training described
      in paragraph C (Standard Maintenance Training) at a mutually acceptable
      alternate training site, subject to the following conditions:

      1.    Airline will be responsible for providing acceptable classroom space
            and training equipment required to present the GE courseware.

      2.    Airline will pay GE's travel and living charges for each GE
            instructor for each day, or fraction thereof, that such instructor
            is away from Springdale, Ohio, including travel time.

      3.    Airline will reimburse GE for round-trip transportation for GE's
            instructors and training materials between Springdale, Ohio, and
            such alternate training site.

      4.    Those portions of the training that require use of GE's training
            devices shall be conducted at GE designated facilities.

F.    Supplier Training

      The standard maintenance training includes sufficient information on the
      location, operation and servicing of Engine equipment, accessories and
      parts provided by suppliers to support line maintenance functions.

      If Airline requires additional maintenance training with respect to any
      supplier-provided equipment, accessories or parts, Airline will schedule
      such training directly with the supplier.

G.    Student Training Material

      1.    Manuals

            When required, GE will provide at the beginning of each maintenance
            training course, one set of training manuals, or equivalent, for
            each student attending such course.

      2.    Line Maintenance

            GE will provide one set of the following training material, per
            course, as applicable:


                                      B-13
<PAGE>   29

            2.1   Video Tapes - GE will loan to Airline a set of video tapes on
                  3/4 inch U-matic or 1/2 inch VHS cassettes in NTSC, PAL or
                  SECAM standard, as selected by Airline.

            2.2   Computer-Based Training (CBT) - GE will provide CBT courseware
                  and instructions for courseware installation and operation.

      3.    Courses Other Than Line Maintenance

            GE will provide one set of the following training material, per
            course, as applicable.

            3.1   Video Tapes - GE will loan to Airline a set of video tapes on
                  3/4 inch U-matic or 1/2 inch VHS cassettes in NTSC, PAL or
                  SECAM standard, as selected by Airline.

            3.2   Computer-Based Training (CBT) - GE will provide CBT courseware
                  and instructions for courseware installation and operation.

SECTION VI - CUSTOMER FACTORY AND FIELD SUPPORT

GE shall make available to Airline *** field service representative as GE's
representative at Airline's main base plus a Shop Specialist to be assigned by
GE to the engine shop facility selected by Airline. These specialists will
assist Airline in areas of unscheduled maintenance action and Product scrap
approval and will provide rapid communication between Airline's maintenance base
and GE's factory personnel.

SECTION VII - PRODUCT SUPPORT ENGINEERING

Factory based engineers who are specialized in powerplant engineering problems
will make visits to Airline, *** when problems are encountered. These engineers
will coordinate with the CF6 Engine design engineers and Airline's powerplant
engineering group. Where specific design problems require a better understanding
of Airline's experience, design engineers will work directly with Airline's
powerplant engineering personnel to solve the problem.

SECTION VIII - OPERATIONS ENGINEERING

Flight operations engineering personnel will be available, *** for consultation
with respect to recommended operating practices to enhance Engine reliability,
safety, and operations costs. Consultations may be in the form of teleconference
messages, or on-site seminars and surveys.


                                      B-14
<PAGE>   30

SECTION IX - GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT

GE will provide to Airline, *** maintenance and repair tooling and fixture
drawings it has designed, including complete specifications for the special test
equipment which is developed. Tooling, fixtures, lifting devices, transportation
devices, and accessory or component stands will be offered for sale to Airline
if they would prefer not to make this equipment.

SECTION X - GENERAL CONDITIONS - CF6-80C2 PRODUCT SUPPORT PLAN

A.    Airline will maintain adequate operational and maintenance records and
      make these available for GE inspection.

B.    The warranty and guarantee provisions of this CF6-80C2 Product Support
      Plan will not apply to any Product if it has been reasonably determined by
      GE that the Engine, Module or any Parts thereof:

            o ***
            o ***
            o ***
            o ***
            o ***
            o ***

C.    The express provisions of this CF6-80C2 Product Support Plan set forth the
      maximum liability of GE with respect to claims of any kind, including,
      without limitation, negligence arising out of the manufacture, sale,
      possession, use or handling of the Products or Parts thereof or therefor,
      and in no case shall GE's liability to Airline exceed ***. For the purpose
      of this Article X, the term "GE" means General Electric Company, GE Engine
      Services Distribution, L.L.C., their subsidiaries, assigns,
      subcontractors, suppliers, Product co-producers, and the respective
      directors, officers, employees, and agents of each.

D.    Except as provided in the Vendor Back-up Warranty provisions in Paragraph
      F. of Section II hereof, no Parts Credit Allowance will be granted and no
      claim for loss or liability will be recognized by GE for Parts of the
      Engine, whether original, repair, replacement, or otherwise, unless sold
      originally by GE or GEES to Airline for commercial use.

E.    Airline shall apprise GE of any Failure subject to the conditions of this
      CF6 Product Support Plan within sixty (60) days after the discovery of
      such Failure. Any Part for which a Parts Credit Allowance is requested by
      Airline shall be returned to GE upon specific request by GE. Upon return
      to GE, such Part shall become the property of GE unless GE directs
      otherwise. Transportation expenses shall be borne by GE.


                                      B-15
<PAGE>   31

F.    The warranty applicable to a replacement Part provided under the terms of
      the New Engine Warranty or New Parts Warranty shall be the same as the
      warranty on the original Part. The unexpired portion of the applicable
      warranty will apply to Parts repaired under the terms of such warranty.

G.    Airline will cooperate with GE in the development of Engine operating
      practices, repair procedures, and the like with the objective of improving
      Engine operating costs.

H.    Except as provided in the Warranty Pass-On provisions in Paragraph E. of
      Section II hereof, this Product Support Plan applies only to the original
      purchaser of the CF6-80C2 Engine except that installed Engines supplied to
      Airline through the aircraft manufacturer shall be considered as original
      Airline purchases covered by this Product Support Plan.

I.    Airline will provide GE a report identifying serialized rotating parts
      which have been scrapped by Airline. Format and frequency of reporting
      will be mutually agreed to by Airline and GE.

                 *** Rest of page intentionally left blank. ***


                                      B-16
<PAGE>   32

                                     TABLE 1
                          CF6-80C2 WARRANTY PARTS LIST

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                                    FLIGHT HOURS
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                        ***       ***        ***       ***
<S>                                     <C>       <C>        <C>       <C> 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fan Rotor
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Blade, 1st Stage                    ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Blade, Booster Stages 2-5           ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Disk, 1st Stage                                                    ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Spool, Booster Stages                                              ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Forward Fan Shaft                                                  ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Spinner                             ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Mid-Shaft                                                          ***
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fan Stator
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Casing incl. Containment                                 ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Stator Vane Stages                  ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Booster Cases                                 ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Outlet Guide Vane (OGV), Support              ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Noise Attenuation Panels                      ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Bleed Valve System                  ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Aft Case                                                 ***
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Compressor Rotor
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Blades                              ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Disks and Spools                                                   ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Shaft, Aft                                                         ***
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Compressor Stator
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Case                                                     ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Shrouds                             ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Vanes                               ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Variable Stator Actuating Rings     ***
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Combustor
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Inner/Outer Liners & Dome           ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                      B-17
<PAGE>   33

                                     TABLE 1
                          CF6-80C2 WARRANTY PARTS LIST
                                    continued

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                -----------------------------------------------
                                                 FLIGHT HOURS
                                -----------------------------------------------
                                   ***         ***         ***         ***
<S>                                <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HPT Rotor
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Blades                                     ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Retaining Rings                ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Shaft, Forward and Aft                                             ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Disks                                                              ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Thermal Shield                 ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Spacer/Impeller                                                    ***
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HPT Stator
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Vane Assemblies                            ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Vane Support                               ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Interstage Seal                ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Shrouds                        ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Shroud Support                             ***
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LPT Rotor
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Blades                         ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Interstage Seals               ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Disks                                                              ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    LP Shaft                                                           ***
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LPT Stator
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Case                                                   ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Vane Assemblies                ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Interstage Seals               ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Shrouds                        ***
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fan Frame
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Mid Frame and Struts                       ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    All Supports                               ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Fwd. Engine Mount                          ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Fairings                                   ***
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Compressor Rear Frame
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Case                                                   ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    "B" Sump                                   ***
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Condition Monitoring Equipment     ***
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                      B-18
<PAGE>   34

                                  FADEC ENGINE

                                     TABLE 1
                          CF6-80C2 WARRANTY PARTS LIST
                                    continued

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                                   FLIGHT HOURS
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                         ***        ***       ***       ***
<S>                                      <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>  
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Turbine Rear Frame
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Frame                                                     ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Liner                                           ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Bearing Supports                                ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    "C/D" Sump                                      ***
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Main Engine Bearings                                ***
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gearboxes
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Cases                                                     ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Shafts, Drive                                             ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Gears                                                     ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Bearings                                                  ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Plug-in Adapters                                          ***
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rotor Tubes and Baffles                  ***
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sump Air and Oil Seals                   ***
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Oil Tank                             ***
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Controls & Accessories-Engine
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Starter and Valve                    ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Lube and Scavenge Pump               ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Scavenge Filter                      ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Fuel/Oil Heat Exchanger              ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Main Fuel Pump                       ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Fuel Filter                          ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Pressurizing Valve                   ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Hydro Mechanical Unit                ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Compressor Inlet Temperature
    Sensor                               ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Variable Stator Actuator             ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Thermocouple Harness                 ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                      B-19
<PAGE>   35

                                  FADEC ENGINE

                                     TABLE 1
                          CF6-80C2 WARRANTY PARTS LIST
                                    continued

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                -----------------------------------------------
                                                 FLIGHT HOURS
                                -----------------------------------------------
                                   ***         ***         ***         ***
    <S>                            <C>         <C>         <C>         <C> 
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Tachometer Generator-Fan       ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Anti-Icing Valve               ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Ignition Unit                  ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Electronic Control Unit        ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Fuel Nozzle                    ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Power Alternator               ***
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                 *** Rest of page intentionally left blank. ***


                                      B-20
<PAGE>   36

                                  ATTACHMENT I

                   BASIS AND CONDITIONS FOR SPECIAL GUARANTEES

A.    General Conditions

      The special guarantees offered in this proposal have been developed
      specifically for Airline's new installed and spare CF6-80C2B1F engines
      (hereinafter referred to as the 'Engines'). They are offered to Airline
      contingent upon:

      1.    Airline accepting delivery of a minimum of *** CF6-80C2B1F-powered
            747-400F aircraft in accordance with the following delivery
            schedule:

                         FIRM AIRCRAFT DELIVERY SCHEDULE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                Aircraft    Engine Model     Year   Quantity of Aircraft
                --------    ------------     ----   --------------------
                <S>         <C>              <C>            <C>  
                747-400F    CF6-80C2B1F      1998           ***
                   "             "           1999           ***
                   "             "           2000           ***
                   "             "           2001           ***
</TABLE>

      2.    ***

      3.    Airline's Engines being identified and maintained separately from
            other operators' engines at the repair agency;

      4.    Agreement between Airline and GE regarding administration of the
            guarantees;

      5.    Airline operating Aircraft (i) an average flight leg of *** hours or
            greater, (ii) an average takeoff thrust derate of *** percent or
            greater, and (iii) an average Aircraft utilization of *** hours per
            year maximum. Change in Aircraft or Engine quantity, Aircraft or
            Engine model, or Aircraft delivery schedule from that described
            above, ***


                                       I-1
EXHIBIT B
<PAGE>   37

                                  ATTACHMENT I

                   BASIS AND CONDITIONS FOR SPECIAL GUARANTEES
                                   (continued)

      6.    Airline and GE agreement upon the engine restoration workscope
            necessary during each shop visit;

      7.    Available on-wing maintenance and performance restoration procedures
            are used to avoid unnecessary shop visits; and

      8.    Service bulletins agreed to between Airline and GE are incorporated
            in a timely manner.

B.    Exclusions

      The guarantees shall not apply to repairs that are due to negligence,
      accidents, and/or improper operation and maintenance or if the Engines are
      employed in power-back Aircraft operation.

C.    Administration

      These guarantees commence with delivery of Airline's first
      CF6-80C2B1F-powered Aircraft ***. The guarantees are not transferable.

      *** If a guarantee is exceeded on a cumulative basis, then GE will pay
      Airline the amount described in the specific guarantee. If in a subsequent
      reconciliation the guarantee is met or under run, then Airline will pay GE
      the amount of any excess credit previously paid by GE. Such repayments of
      credits will not exceed the amount paid to Airline by GE. If compensation
      becomes available to Airline under more than one specific guarantee,
      warranty or other engine program consideration, Airline will not receive
      duplicate compensation but will receive the compensation most beneficial
      to Airline under a single guarantee, warranty or other program
      consideration. Unless otherwise stated, the guarantee compensation will be
      in the form of credits for the purchase of spare Engines, Parts, and/or
      services from GE.

D.    Miscellaneous

      The General Conditions described in Section X of Exhibit B (the CF6-80C2
      Product Support Plan) to this Agreement apply to these guarantees.


                                       I-2
EXHIBIT B
<PAGE>   38

                                  ATTACHMENT II

             PERFORMANCE RETENTION GUARANTEE - METHOD OF MEASUREMENT

1.    ***

2.    ***

3.    ***

4.    ***

5.    ***

      a.    ***

      b.    ***

6.    ***

7.    ***

EXHIBIT B
<PAGE>   39

                                 ATTACHMENT III

                DELAY AND CANCELLATION DEFINITIONS FOR GUARANTEE

Delay
***

      1.    ***

      2.    ***

      3.    ***

      NOTE:

      A cancellation supersedes a delay (i.e., a flight which is canceled after
      having been delayed is considered to be a cancellation only - not a delay
      and a cancellation).

Cancellation

      Elimination of a scheduled trip because of a known or reasonably suspected
      malfunction and/or defect.

      NOTE:

      Cancellation of any or all of the flight legs of multi-leg trip
      constitutes only one cancellation.

EXHIBIT B
<PAGE>   40

                                    EXHIBIT C

                                   ESCALATION

                                       ***


                                      C-5
<PAGE>   41

                                    EXHIBIT D

                                  PAYMENT TERMS

A.    Airline shall pay GE with respect to each purchase order hereunder, the
      following amounts in United States Dollars and in immediately available
      funds. Payment will be effective upon receipt thereof.

      1.    For all Products other than Spare Parts and special tools and test
            equipment:

            a.    *** Of the total purchase order base price shall be paid
                  within *** following the date of the order;

            b.    *** Of the base price of each item shall be paid *** months
                  prior to scheduled delivery date thereof;

            c.    *** Of the base price of each item shall be paid *** prior to
                  scheduled delivery date thereof; and

            d.    Payment of the balance, including escalation, if any, shall be
                  made at ***.

            e.    Any payment following the first payment in subparagraph a.
                  above which is due prior to or at the time of purchase order
                  placement will be made at the time of purchase order
                  placement.

      2.    For Spare Parts, payment of the selling price shall be made ***.

      3.    For special tools and test equipment, payment of the selling price
            shall be made ***.

B.    All invoicing and payments (including payment details) hereunder shall be
      transmitted electronically to GE's bank account as notified by GE on its
      invoices..

C.    If delivery hereunder is delayed by Airline, payment shall be made based
      on the delivery schedule set forth in the purchase order as accepted by
      GE.

D.    ***

E.    If Airline fails to make any of the foregoing payments when due, Airline
      will also pay to GE, without prejudice to any other rights available to GE
      under this Agreement, interest on any late payment, calculated from the
      payment due date to the date of actual remittance. Interest will be
      computed at, *** but in no event will the rate of interest be greater than
      the highest interest rate then permitted under applicable law.


                                      C-6
<PAGE>   42

_____________________________________GE Aircraft Engines

LETTER AGREEMENT NO. 1

June 2, 1997

Atlas Air, Inc.
538 Commons Drive
Golden, Colorado  80401

Attention: Mr. Michael Chowdry
           Chairman, CEO and President

WHEREAS, General Electric Company acting through its GE Aircraft Engine Group,
located in Evendale, Ohio, U.S.A. (hereinafter referred to as "GE") and Atlas
Air, Inc. ("Atlas" or "Airline") have entered into General Terms Agreement No.
6-9810, dated as of June ____, 1997, as the same may be amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof (the
"Agreement"); and

WHEREAS, Atlas has entered into, or will in the near future enter into, a
purchase agreement (the "Boeing Purchase Agreement") with The Boeing Company
("Boeing") for the purchase of (i) *** firm 747-400F aircraft equipped with
CF6-80C2B1F installed engines for delivery in the May 1998 through April 2001
time period, and (ii) up to *** option 747-400F aircraft equipped with
CF6-80C2B1F installed engines for delivery in the ***, all such aircraft as more
particularly described in Attachment A-1 hereto (such aircraft may be
individually referred to as an "Aircraft" or collectively referred to as the
"Aircraft" depending upon the context). GE has no knowledge of the contents of
the Boeing Purchase Agreement and any reference to such purchase agreement is
only for the convenience of Atlas.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises described herein and for
other consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows. Capitalized terms used in
this Letter Agreement No. 1 that are otherwise undefined shall have the meanings
ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.

I.    DELIVERY AND ACCEPTANCE OF FIRM AIRCRAFT

      Airline agrees to purchase and accept delivery of the *** firm CF6-80C2B1F
      powered 747-400F Aircraft in accordance with the delivery schedule set
      forth in Attachment A-1 hereto (the "Aircraft Delivery Schedule") which is
      incorporated herein by this reference.
<PAGE>   43

LETTER AGREEMENT NO. 1 
Atlas Air, Inc.
Page 2


II.   DELIVERY AND ACCEPTANCE OF OPTION AIRCRAFT

      To the extent that Airline agrees to purchase one or more of the ***
      option 747-400F powered Aircraft (as more specifically described in the
      Aircraft Delivery Schedule) Airline agrees to equip any and all such
      Aircraft with new CF6-80C2B1F engines ("Engines").

III.  DELIVERY AND ACCEPTANCE OF SPARE ENGINES

      Airline agrees to purchase *** spare CF6-80C2B1F engines to support the
      *** firm Aircraft and accept delivery of such spare engines in accordance
      with the Spare Engine Delivery Schedule set forth in Attachment A-2 hereto
      (the "Five Spare Engines").

IV.   ENGINE CHARACTERISTICS AND PRICES

      Spare Engines sold by GE to Airline will conform to the specifications for
      installed Engines contained in GE's agreement with Boeing. Current Base
      Prices for CF6-80C2BIF Spare Engines, optional equipment and Modules are
      summarized in Attachment B hereto.

V.    SPECIAL ALLOWANCES 747-400F AIRCRAFT

      Provided that Atlas purchases and accepts delivery of a minimum of ***
      firm CF6-80C2B1F powered 747-400F aircraft in accordance with the Aircraft
      Delivery Schedule and places a purchase order with GE and accepts delivery
      of the *** Spare Engines in accordance with the Spare Engine Delivery
      Schedule, GE offers the following special allowances subject to the
      conditions set forth in Attachment C.

      A.    Per-Aircraft Introductory Allowance for *** Aircraft

            GE will provide Atlas a per Aircraft allowance of *** for each of
            the *** Aircraft of which Airline takes delivery in accordance with
            the Aircraft Delivery Schedule.

      B.    Introductory Allowance for Additional Aircraft

            GE will provide Atlas an allowance of US *** for each of up to ***
            additional Aircraft beyond the *** Aircraft described in the
            preceding paragraph taken in accordance with the Aircraft Delivery
            Schedule.
<PAGE>   44

LETTER AGREEMENT NO. 1 
Atlas Air, Inc.
Page 4


      C.    Allowance for Aircraft Progress Payments

            GE will provide Atlas an allowance in the amount of *** for each of
            up to *** firm Aircraft to assist in the cost of financing that
            portion of advanced progress payments not deferred by Boeing for
            such Aircraft.

      D.    Engine Thrust 
            ***

            1.    Such *** are used exclusively by Airline to support Airline's
                  Aircraft;

            2.    Airline purchases from GE the *** Spare Engines;

            3.    ***

            4.    ***

            5.    ***

      GE will make the above-described available to Airline on a reasonable time
      schedule to be mutually agreed to by the parties.

VI.   CANCELLATION OR DELAY OF AIRCRAFT WITH INSTALLED ENGINES; CANCELLATION OR
      DELAY OF SPARE ENGINES

      Delay and cancellation provisions for installed and spare Engines are set
      forth in Attachment C hereto

VII   CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION

      This Letter Agreement No. 1 contains information specifically for Airline
      and GE and nothing herein contained shall be divulged by Airline or GE to
      any third person, firm or corporation, without the prior written consent
      of the other party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld,
      except that consent shall not be required for disclosure to the respective
      insurers and professional advisors of the parties who must likewise agree
      to be bound by this confidentiality clause, and, Airline's consent shall
      not be required for GE to divulge to its co-production partners
      information from, or with respect to this Agreement, it being understood
      that each such partner will also be bound by the provisions of this
      Agreement.
<PAGE>   45

LETTER AGREEMENT NO. 1 
Atlas Air, Inc.
Page 4


The obligations set forth in this Letter Agreement No. 1 are in addition to and
form part of the obligations set forth in the Agreement.

Counterparts: This Letter Agreement No. 1 may be executed by the parties hereto
in two counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of
which when taken together shall constitute one and the same document.

Please indicate your agreement with the foregoing by signing as provided below
and returning the same to the undersigned by June 15, 1997, whereby this Letter
Agreement No. 1 shall become effective as of the date first above indicated.

                                       Very truly yours,

ATLAS AIR, INC.                        GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY

By:                                    By:
    --------------------------------       --------------------------------

Typed Name:                            Typed Name:
            ------------------------               ------------------------

Title:                                 Title:
       -----------------------------          -----------------------------
<PAGE>   46

                                 ATTACHMENT A-1
                           Aircraft Delivery Schedule

The following Aircraft Delivery Schedule is subject only to (i) Excusable Delays
(as defined in paragraph 7 of Attachment C) and (ii) delays of up to in effect
as of the date hereof and without regard to any waiver or consent or amendment
therein contained unless agreed by GE. It is understood that option exercise
shall be 18 months prior to the first day of the scheduled option Aircraft
delivery month.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      FIRM AIRCRAFT DELIVERY SCHEDULE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Aircraft               Engine              Month/       Quantity of
     Model                 Model                Year          Aircraft
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                        <C>                    <C>          <C>   
      ***                   ***                   ***          ***
                                            --------------------------------
      ***                   ***                   ***          ***
                                            --------------------------------
      ***                   ***                   ***          ***
                                            --------------------------------
      ***                   ***                   ***          ***
                                            --------------------------------
      ***                   ***                   ***          ***
                                            --------------------------------
      ***                   ***                   ***          ***
                                            --------------------------------
      ***                   ***                   ***          ***
                                            --------------------------------
      ***                   ***                   ***          ***
                                            --------------------------------
      ***                   ***                   ***          ***
                                            --------------------------------
      ***                   ***                   ***          ***
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total: ***Firm Aircraft
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

<CAPTION>
                     OPTION AIRCRAFT DELIVERY SCHEDULE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Aircraft               Engine             Month        Quantity of
      Model                 Model               Year          Aircraft
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                        <C>                    <C>          <C>   
       ***                   ***                  ***          ***
                                            --------------------------------
       ***                   ***                  ***          ***
                                            --------------------------------
       ***                   ***                  ***          ***
                                            --------------------------------
       ***                   ***                  ***          ***
                                            --------------------------------
       ***                   ***                  ***          ***
                                            --------------------------------
       ***                   ***                  ***          ***
                                            --------------------------------
       ***                   ***                  ***          ***
                                            --------------------------------
       ***                   ***                  ***          ***
                                            --------------------------------
       ***                   ***                  ***          ***
                                            --------------------------------
       ***                   ***                  ***          ***
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total: *** Option Aircraft
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


LETTER AGREEMENT NO. 1 TO GTA NO. 6-9810
Atlas Air, Inc.
<PAGE>   47

                                 ATTACHMENT A-2

                         Spare Engine Delivery Schedule

The following Spare Engine Delivery Schedule reflects GE's recommended number
and delivery schedule of spare Engines (*** spare Engine to installed Engine
ratio) necessary to support the *** firm Aircraft that are described in
Attachment A-1 hereto. The delivery schedule set forth below is subject only to
(i) Excusable Delays (as defined in paragraph 7 of Attachment C) and (ii)
permitted delays as described in the next sentence.

To provide Airline with reasonable flexibility as to the timing of the delivery
of spare Engines, GE agrees, that for the purpose of qualifying for the special
allowances described in this Letter Agreement No. 1, to permit an aggregate
delay of ***for the ***Spare Engines (of which GE has been provided notice of
such delay a minimum of *** months prior to scheduled delivery) unless otherwise
agreed by GE.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      -------------------------------------------------------------------
                         SPARE ENGINE DELIVERY SCHEDULE
                           in support of Firm Aircraft
      -------------------------------------------------------------------
            Engine            Quarter/               Quantity of
            Model               Year                   Engines
      -------------------------------------------------------------------
      <S>                        <C>                     <C>
      ***                        ***                     ***
                                             ----------------------------
      ***                        ***                     ***
                                             ----------------------------
      ***                        ***                     ***
                                             ----------------------------
      ***                        ***                     ***
                                             ----------------------------
      ***                        ***                     ***
      -------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                      Rest of page intentionally left blank
                                       ***


LETTER AGREEMENT NO. 1 TO GTA NO. 6-9810
Atlas Air, Inc.
<PAGE>   48

                                  ATTACHMENT B

                           BASE PRICES FOR CF6-80C2B1F
                     SPARE ENGINES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT

             Prices applicable to deliveries through 2001 and 2003.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Base Price
                                                          July 1995 US
                                                             Dollars
                              Item                         CPI=131.16
          -----------------------------------------------------------------
          <S>                                                     <C>
          1.  Basic Engine inc. FADEC - CF6-80C2B1F               ***
          2.  Engine Optional Equipment                           ***
                 FADEC Optional Condition  Monitoring
                 System                                           ***
          3.  Engine Modules with Controls and Accessories        ***
                    Fan                                           ***
                    Core                                          ***
                    High Pressure Turbine                         ***
                    Low Pressure Turbine                          ***
                    Gearbox                                       ***
          -----------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A.  ***

B.  ***

C.  ***

D.  ***
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


LETTER AGREEMENT NO. 1 TO GTA NO. 6-9810
Atlas Air, Inc.
<PAGE>   49

                                 ATTACHMENT B-2

                           BASE PRICES FOR CF6-80C2B5F
                     SPARE ENGINES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Base Price
                                                          July 1995 US
                                                             Dollars
                              Item                         CPI=131.16
          -----------------------------------------------------------------
          <S>                                                     <C>
          1.  Basic Engine inc. FADEC - CF6-80C2B5F               ***
          2.  Engine Optional Equipment                           ***
                  FADEC Optional Condition  Monitoring
                  System                                          ***
          3.  Engine Modules with Controls and Accessories        ***
                    Fan                                           ***
                    Core                                          ***
                    High Pressure Turbine                         ***
                    Low Pressure Turbine                          ***
                    Gearbox                                       ***
          -----------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A.  ***

B.  ***

C.  ***

D.  ***
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


LETTER AGREEMENT NO. 1 TO GTA NO. 6-9810
Atlas Air, Inc.
<PAGE>   50

                                  ATTACHMENT C
              CONDITIONS FOR SPECIAL ALLOWANCES/DELAY/CANCELLATION

1.    Allowance for Initial Aircraft Sale Only

      Any allowance described in this Letter Agreement No. 1 applies only to new
CF6-80C2B1F powered Aircraft purchased by Airline directly from Boeing. The
allowances do not apply to an aircraft equipped with buyer-furnished engines, an
aircraft that has been the subject of a previous GE proposal or offer, or, to an
aircraft that has been previously sold (except in connection with Aircraft
financing for Airline) or otherwise acquired through resale, lease, transfer,
trade, or exchange.

2.    Allowance Not Paid

      Allowances described in this Letter Agreement No. 1 with respect to a
particular Aircraft will become unearned and will not be paid if Engines have
been delivered to Boeing for installation in such Aircraft and, thereafter, for
any reason, Airline's purchase order with Boeing for such Aircraft is
terminated, canceled, or revoked, or for any reason delivery of such Aircraft
will be prevented or delayed beyond the end of the calendar year following the
year the Engines for such Aircraft were delivered by GE to Boeing; provided,
however, GE agrees that such allowance will be reinstated and paid to Airline if
such Aircraft is subsequently delivered in accordance with the Aircraft Delivery
Schedule.

3.    Earning and Payment of Allowances

      The per-Aircraft allowances described herein will be earned by Atlas, on a
pro rata basis, upon delivery of each shipset of CF6-80C2B1F engines to Boeing
for installation on the corresponding Aircraft for Atlas. Each per-Aircraft
allowance will be available, as a credit against purchases from or services
performed by GE, within two working days following receipt of written notice
from Atlas that it has taken delivery of each Aircraft in accordance with its
purchase agreement with Boeing. However, with the agreement of Boeing and upon a
minimum of three business days written notice from Atlas to GE requesting the
same, GE will arrange to wire transfer the allowance to Boeing at the time of
delivery of such Aircraft for application to the purchase price of the Aircraft.
The Parties acknowledge that all necessary wire transfer addresses and
instructions must be received by GE no later than 3 business days prior to
delivery of the Aircraft for GE to make the necessary arrangements and to
prepare the appropriate escrow instructions.

4.    ***


LETTER AGREEMENT NO. 1 TO GTA NO. 6-9810
Atlas Air, Inc.
<PAGE>   51

                                  ATTACHMENT C

              CONDITIONS FOR SPECIAL ALLOWANCES/DELAY/CANCELLATION
                                   (continued)

A.    ***

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      ------------------------------------------------------
       No. of Aircraft deliveries
        taken in accordance with     Adjusted Per Aircraft
          the Aircraft Delivery           Introductory
                Schedule                   Allowance
      ------------------------------------------------------
                    <S>                       <C>
                    ***                       ***
      ------------------------------------------------------
                    ***                       ***
      ------------------------------------------------------
                    ***                       ***
      ------------------------------------------------------
                    ***                       ***
      ------------------------------------------------------
                    ***                       ***
      ------------------------------------------------------
                    ***                       ***
      ------------------------------------------------------
                    ***                       ***
      ------------------------------------------------------
                    ***                       ***
      ------------------------------------------------------
                    ***                       ***
      ------------------------------------------------------
                    ***                       ***
      ------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

B.    ***


LETTER AGREEMENT NO. 1 TO GTA NO. 6-9810
Atlas Air, Inc.
<PAGE>   52

                                  ATTACHMENT C

              CONDITIONS FOR SPECIAL ALLOWANCES/DELAY/CANCELLATION
                                   (continued)

5.    Assignability of Allowance

      Any allowance described herein is exclusively for the benefit of Airline
and may not be assigned without GE's consent, however it is understood that GE
will permit Airline to assign its Special Allowances and other rights (described
in this Letter Agreement No. 1) in connection with any equipment trust,
conditional sale, lien, leaseback or other arrangement for the financing by
Airline of the Aircraft or Engines that are the subject matter of this Letter
Agreement No. 1: provided, that the assignee is a financing institution that is
financing the Aircraft for the use and operation of Airline, and, in exercising
any rights or making any claims hereunder such assignee shall be bound by the
terms and conditions hereof to the same extent as Airline, and Airline shall
remain fully and entirely liable and responsible in accordance with the terms
and conditions of this Letter Agreement No. 1 for all obligations and
liabilities of Airline.

6.    Planned Aircraft Not Owned for Planned Period

      If within the *** following delivery of each Aircraft for which a special
allowance was provided by GE under this Letter Agreement No. 1, Airline sells
such Aircraft, the special allowances earned and/or paid on such Aircraft will
be proportionately reduced. Airline will reimburse GE an amount equal to the
proportionate share of the special allowances earned and/or paid with respect to
such Aircraft, (based on the percentage of the *** minimum period the Aircraft
was owned by Airline), with interest on such amount. The special allowance
reimbursement is due no later than 30 days from the time Airline ceases to own
such Aircraft. Interest will be calculated, *** from the time of initial
allowance payment on such Aircraft until the time of full reimbursement.

7.    Excusable Delay

      "Excusable Delay" with respect to an installed Engine as used in this
Attachment C means a delay in delivery of an Aircraft not attributable to a
failure of Airline to timely perform its obligations under the Boeing Purchase
Agreement (without giving effect to any supplement, modification or waiver
thereto which directly or indirectly results in a permitted delay of the
scheduled delivery of an Aircraft unless GE shall have consented thereto),
including any event of force majeure or a default by Boeing; provided, that
Airline accepts such Aircraft promptly when tendered by Boeing.

      "Excusable Delay" with respect to a spare Engine as used in this
Attachment C means a delay in delivery of a spare Engine not attributable to a
failure of Airline to timely perform its obligations under the purchase
agreement between Airline and GE, including any event of default by GE or any
event of force majeure; provided, that Airline accepts such spare Engine
promptly when tendered by GE after an event of force majeure.


LETTER AGREEMENT NO. 1 TO GTA NO. 6-9810
Atlas Air, Inc.
<PAGE>   53

                                  ATTACHMENT C

              CONDITIONS FOR SPECIAL ALLOWANCES/DELAY/CANCELLATION
                                   (continued)

8.    Cancellation of GE Spare Engines or Aircraft Equipped with GE Engines

            ***

9.    Deemed Cancellations

      If Airline delays the scheduled delivery date of a spare Engine***, or
causes the delay of the scheduled delivery date of an Aircraft equipped with
installed Engines, for which GE has received a purchase order (from either the
aircraft manufacturer or Airline, as appropriate), for a period, or cumulative
period, of more than *** from the original , such delay shall be considered a
cancellation and the cancellation provisions described in the two preceding
paragraphs shall apply.


LETTER AGREEMENT NO. 1 TO GTA NO. 6-9810
Atlas Air, Inc.

<PAGE>   1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1



                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this Registration Statement of our report dated February 13, 1998
included in Atlas Air, Inc.'s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997
and to all references to our Firm included in this Registration Statement.


                                     /s/  ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Denver, Colorado
September 2, 1998









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