2 ex-AirBridgeCargo 747-8Fs set to rejoin global fleet

Two 747-8Fs previously on lease from BOC Aviation to Russia-based AirBridgeCargo may soon fly again in different colors after more than two years of storage in the country. BOC Aviation has repossessed the 2015-vintage unit 60119, which left Moscow (SVO) and landed in Shanghai (PVG) on March 13, the Singapore-based lessor confirmed to Cargo Facts . It is the first time a lessor has repossessed and ferried a freighter out of Russia since the start of the war in Ukraine [ FAT 9533 ]. [caption id="attachment_56867616" align="aligncenter" width="1807"] Unit 60117 was also on lease from BOC Aviation and is still in Russia. (Courtesy/AirBridgeCargo)[/caption] Unit 60119 had been parked at SVO since early March 2022 after sanctions imposed on Russia as a result of the war made it impossible for AirBridgeCargo — and other Russian operators — to maintain insurance on aircraft. Bermuda and Ireland, where most Russian-operated aircraft were registered, also revoked certificates of airworthiness for all those aircraft. Lessors have terminated leases with Russian operators as a result. Court orders lead to repos Unit 60119 was one of three 747-8Fs BOC Aviation had leased to AirBridgeCargo. The lessor repossessed one of them (60118) in March 2022 after obtaining an order from the District Court for the Southern District of New York. That aircraft was in Hong Kong (HKG) at the time and in January 2023 appeared to be joining Air Belgium for CMI operations on behalf of China-based Hongyuan Group , but it never entered service and has been parked in Cincinnati (CVG) since October 2023. The third 747-8F BOC Aviation leased to AirBridgeCargo is the 2014-vintage unit 60117. It is still at SVO but will soon follow unit 60119 to China, a source familiar with the AirBridgeCargo fleet told Cargo Facts . In an April 2023 judgment, the New York court awarded BOC Aviation about $406 million in damages from AirBridgeCargo for defaulting on the leases of the three 747-8Fs. In addition to units 60117, 60118 and 60119, AirBridgeCargo has ten other 747-8Fs and three production 747-400Fs in storage at SVO. Russia-linked freighters Meanwhile, three other production 747-400Fs affiliated with AirBridgeCargo parent Volga-Dnepr Group were outside Russia when the sanctions came into effect and they have joined new operators. Two (35237 and 33749) are in operation with National Airlines , while one (32870) was acquired by Aerotranscargo in 2023 but is undergoing maintenance in Jakarta (CGK). Apart from AirBridgeCargo’s 747Fs, other Boeing freighters on lease to Russian carriers include: One 777F with AirBridgeCargo; Six 737-800BCFs and one 737-400SF with Atran; Two 737-800BCFs with S7 Airlines; Six 757-200PCFs with Aviastar-TU; and One 757-200PCF with E-Cargo Airlines. These freighters are either parked in Russia or reregistered in the country after President Vladimir Putin authorized airlines to illegally assume ownership of leased aircraft. Don’t miss our two upcoming events that are essential for stakeholders in Asia and Latin America: Cargo Facts Asia 2024 , taking place April 15-17 in Singapore, and Cargo Facts LATAM 2024 , taking place May 13-15 in Panama City. Register by March 29 to take advantage of early-bird pricing for CF LATAM.

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