Freighter Aircraft Transactions through mid-February

Every week in Cargo Facts Update, we include a list of recent freighter aircraft transactions, and then a comprehensive summary in the monthly issue of Cargo Facts. Each reference to a freighter aircraft transaction (FAT) in our publications contains a unique FAT code linked to the FAT database on the CargoFacts.com website. This database is available to subscribers as an interactive tool on our website, and you can go to it from the “FAT Data” tab at the top of the home page, or directly at https://cargofacts1.wpengine.com/fat/

Below, we include the transactions from recent issues of Cargo Facts Update, and we encourage you to make use of the FAT database here on our website.

FedEx took delivery of a 767-300F (43631) from Boeing [FAT 004256].

US-based Northern Air Cargo acquired a 767-300BDSF (25199, ex-American Airlines) on lease from Cargo Aircraft Management (CAM), following conversion to freighter configuration by Bedek Aviation Group [FATs 004257 – 4258]. This is the second 767-300 freighter Northern Air Cargo has leased from CAM, but the first it will operate itself. The carrier handed the other over to Air Transport International (ATI, which, like CAM is a subsidiary of Air Transport Services Group) for CMI operation.

DHL ordered a 767-300 P-to-F conversion from Boeing [FAT 004259]. The feedstock aircraft has not been identified.

UPS plans another 767-300 conversion. UPS acquired a 767-300ER (33845) from Japan Airlines, and will have it converted to freighter configuration by Boeing [FATs 004260 and 003921].

Another 767-300 freighter for ATSG. Cargo Aircraft Management (the leasing arm of Air Transport Services Group) acquired a 767-300ER (26995) from American Airlines, and will have it converted to freighter configuration by Bedek Aviation Group [FATs 004263 – 4264].

DHL Express took redelivery of a 757-200PCF (31308, ex-American Airlines) following conversion to freighter configuration by Precision Aircraft Solutions [FAT 004265].

Vallair is the launch customer for EFW’s A321P2F. Luxembourg-based lessor Vallair placed a launch order with Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) for ten A321 passenger-to-freighter conversions [FATs 004236 – 4245]. The first aircraft is scheduled for induction in the fourth quarter of 2018, with redelivery planned by the end of 2019. EFW currently offers five passenger-to-freighter conversion programs:

EFW’s A321 and A320 conversions both feature a containerized lower deck, the first narrowbody freighters to do so. Regarding the lower deck, the schematic above illustrates why EFW claims that the A321P2F, while physically somewhat smaller than a 757-200 freighter, actually offers more usable cargo volume – the equivalent of seventeen full-size pallet positions to the fifteen offered by the 757.

Guangdong Aerocity signs LOI with EFW for ten A320 conversions. Just one day after Vallair’s A321P2F launch order, China-based Guangdong Aerocity Holding Co Ltd (GDA) signed a Letter of Intent “for a potential order of 10 A320 Passenger-to-Freighter (P2F) conversions to be carried out by EFW” [FATs 004246 – 4255].

ASL Airlines Ireland acquired a 737-400F (26299, ex-Enter Air) from Luxembourg-based lessor and aircraft manager Vallair [FAT 004267]. The aircraft was converted to freighter configuration last year by Aeronautical Engineers, Inc.

GECAS will convert a 737-400. GECAS acquired a 737-400 (28893) from Alaska Airlines and will have it converted to freighter configuration by Aeronautical Engineers, Inc [FATs 004268 – 4269].

Alaska Airlines took redelivery of a 737-700BDSF (30792, from its own fleet) following conversion to freighter configuration by Bedek Aviation Group [FAT 004266]. This is the third of three 737-700 conversions Alaska ordered from Bedek.

China-based Longhao Airlines acquired a 737-300F (29108) from GECAS. The freighter, currently being painted in Longhao livery, was recently returned off lease to GECAS by ASL Airlines Belgium. Cargo Facts believes Longhao will operate the freighter for SF Express [FATs 004270 – 4271].

Ukraine International Airlines returned a 737-300F (24462) to lessor GECAS [FAT 004261]. This was the carrier’s only freighter.

South Africa-based Star Air acquired a 737-300F (24462) on lease from GECAS [FAT 004272]. The freighter was returned to GECAS off lease by Ukraine International Airlines earlier this month (see above).

Mexico-based Aeronaves TSM took redelivery of a CRJ200F (7392, ex-Air Burkina) following conversion to freighter configuration by Aeronautical Engineers, Inc [FAT 004262].

Interested in learning more about the future of the worldwide freighter fleet? Then join us at Cargo Facts Asia 2018, where our sister company Air Cargo Management Group will release the 2018 edition of its “Twenty Year Freighter Forecast.

Cargo Facts Asia will be held 23-25 April, at the Mandarin Oriental Pudong in Shanghai.