Spoiled for choice: Customers revel in diverse 777 freighter market

Boeing’s official launch of the new 777-8F program early this year marked the beginning of a new era of large-widebody freighters for the planemaker, as yet another option became available to those looking to acquire and operate 777 freighters. Launch customer Qatar Airways placed a firm order for at least thirty-four units, and two more customers have announced firm orders for the new freighter since then, with Lufthansa buying seven and ANA converting two passenger 777-9s to 777-8Fs. Meanwhile, Cargolux has selected the type to replace its 747-400Fs, but is still finalizing a deal with Boeing, and Ethiopian Airlines has signed a memorandum of understanding for five. But operators have continued to show interest in the existing 777F. After receiving orders for forty-two of the type in 2021, Boeing this year logged orders for twenty-eight, as of July 31. The 777F’s initial launch was in 2005. Based on the 777-200LR, it can lift a revenue payload of around 102 tonnes with a range of 4,970 nautical miles, according to Boeing. In its seventeen-year service history, the performance capabilities of the 777F have made it one of the most sought-after freighter types. As of Aug. 31, there were 229 777Fs around the world, according to Cargo Facts research. Twelve new units have been delivered so far this year, with five joining operators in Asia Pacific, four in Europe, two in the Middle East and one in North America. The table below shows the current worldwide distribution of 777Fs based on the home base of their operators. Overall, North America is the most populous region for the type with sixty-six, followed closely by Asia Pacific with sixty. Europe and the Middle East are nearly on par at forty-seven and forty-six, respectively, while Africa is home to nine. Growing list of operators When it comes to individual operators, FedEx has fifty-two in its fleet and is the leader by far, while Qatar Airways has the most of any combination carrier at twenty-six. Other top operators include AeroLogic with twenty-one, China Southern with fourteen and Korean Air with twelve. There is one notable omission from the list: Unit 66625 was delivered to DAE Capital in August 2020 and began flying with AirBridgeCargo late that year. It has remained parked in Moscow (SVO) since March due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine earlier this year and ensuing sanctions. Meanwhile, several 777Fs have found their way to operators that are new to the type. These deliveries most recently included one brand-new unit to Singapore Airlines for CMI operations on behalf of DHL Express and two new aircraft to France-based shipping and logistics group CMA CGM. Mainland China also gained a fourth 777F operator after an aircraft that China Cargo Airlines had returned to CCB Financial Leasing emerged in the colors of Central Airlines, which had previously only operated 737s. More carriers will soon become first-time owners of new 777Fs. Azerbaijan-based Silk Way West Airlines in 2021 ordered five aircraft for delivery from 2023-2027, while Denmark-based shipping group Maersk, which rebranded its in-house airline to Maersk Air Cargo earlier this year, expects to receive two units in 2024, and Western Global Airlines announced an order for two in February. More recently, on Aug. 2, Air Canada joined the ranks of these airlines with an announcement that it has signed a deal with Boeing to purchase two new 777Fs, coming to the Canadian combination carrier in 2024. As of Aug. 31, Boeing had a total of eighty-three 777Fs on order, representing about 45% of the overall backlog for large-widebody freighter aircraft. Conversion also an option — or three Leaving aside off-lease production 777Fs becoming available, operators and lessors also have various programs to choose from should they decide to acquire and convert a passenger 777. [caption id="attachment_56725192" align="alignright" width="560"] There are currently three 777 conversion programs in development. (Photo/NIAR)[/caption] In the past twelve months, Cargo Facts recorded more than thirty Freighter Aircraft Transactions (FATs) involving conversion orders and options for 777s, with more expected before the end of the year. The twin large-widebody has gained unmatched interest for conversion from engineering companies, with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Mammoth Freighters and Kansas Modification Center (KMC) all entering a race to develop their own 777 conversion STCs. Between the 777-200LR and the -300ER, there have been more than 800 total deliveries, many of which could become potential feedstock for future conversions. IAI IAI, which launched its 777-300ERSF program in 2019, has the most advanced of the three programs. In Tel Aviv (TLV), the prototype conversion for the IAI STC has progressed to the installation of the cargo door. IAI told Cargo Facts at the Farnborough International Airshow in July that the aircraft would soon be removed from its jacks in preparation for systems testing and first flight. Breaking traditional international political barriers, Dubai-based Emirates has ordered at least ten 777-300ERSF conversions with IAI, with the carrier’s aircraft among the first to be inducted at IAI’s upcoming conversion line at the Etihad Engineering facility in Abu Dhabi (AUH). Other ex-Emirates aircraft have also served as additional feedstock for the 777-300ERSF “Big Twin” program’s co-investor AerCap, with at least four joining Kalitta Air after certification in 2023. Richard Greener, head of cargo at AerCap, said at Cargo Facts EMEA in May that the program had already secured orders and commitments for fifty conversions. Apart from AerCap and Emirates, other known customers include Challenge Group, EVA Air and Cargojet. Mammoth Freighters Florida-based Mammoth Freighters, which is backed by Fortress Investment Group, is developing both a 777-300ERMF and a 777-200LRMF conversion and is initially focusing on the latter. The company recently selected Collins Aerospace to provide the cargo loading system (CLS) for its 777 conversions. The first 777-200LR (29742, ex-Delta) for conversion arrived at what is now known as the Aspire MRO facility in Fort Worth (AFW) in February ahead of formal induction, which took place in August. The aircraft is expected to be redelivered to Cargojet after certification in the second half of 2023. Mammoth’s freighter conversion program has also garnered the interest of Middle Eastern carrier Saudia, which not only ordered seven conversions with an option for five more but also committed to developing a conversion line at Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries (SAEI), the MRO division of the Saudia Group, in Jeddah (JED). KMC KMC, which is working in partnership with Wichita State University’s National Institute of Aviation Research (NIAR), recently selected Telair as its CLS supplier for its in-development 777-300ERCF program. The program received its launch order earlier this year with Backbone Freighter Leasing in a deal for three firm conversions and options for seven more, with redeliveries scheduled for 2024-2025. KMC confirmed to Cargo Facts in April that the first freighter in the agreement is the prototype aircraft, another ex-Emirates 777-300ER (37704). The 2008-vintage unit arrived at the NIAR facility at Wichita’s McConnell Air Force Base (IAB) in September 2021. The 777-300ERCF’s certification is anticipated for 2024. This feature was originally published in the September 2022 issue of Cargo Facts. Cargo Facts Symposium, taking place LIVE Oct. 19-21 at the InterContinental San Diego, is the essential event for stakeholders in the air cargo industry. Learn more and register today .

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