Freighter aircraft transactions through mid-November

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 http://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.

SF Express’ first 747-400ERF ready for commercial service. The aircraft (35173) exited maintenance and took to the skies above Shenzhen’s Bao’an International Airport (SZX), where it successfully completed its Chinese airworthiness test [FAT 004683].

Atlas Air took delivery of the ex-EVA Air 747-400F (30608) acquired in October [FAT 004687]. The aircraft was the last of three 747-400 production freighters EVA has retired and Atlas has picked up over the past year.

US-based Kalitta Air adds two ex-NCA 747-400Fs? The two 747-400Fs (36133, 36135) from Nippon Cargo Airlines’ fleet were ferried to Victorville (VCV) for storage last week, and have reportedly since been re-registered in Kalitta’s fleet [FATs 004690-4691]. Although the acquisition has not been confirmed, it would make sense – Kalitta Air’s fleet already includes twenty-six active 747-400 freighters, three of which were acquired from Korean Air over the past few months. Kalitta’s cargo customers include DHL Express, Apex Logistics, and Pacific Air Cargo.

Ethiopian Airlines took delivery of its eighth 777F (65398) [FAT 004692]. Under its Vision 2025 plan, the carrier hopes to build up to a fleet of nineteen freighter aircraft, and has two more 777Fs on order with Boeing. Ethiopian also has one 757-200PCF in maintenance, but does not currently operate any narrowbody freighters. However, this will soon change, as Ethiopian is the launch customer for AEI’s forthcoming 737-800SF, and will lease two of the type from GECAS.

Turkish Airlines took delivery of its fourth 777F (65743), and has at least one more on order with Boeing [FAT 004693].

FedEx took delivery of a 767-300F (63100) from Boeing [FAT 004688]. Boeing and FedEx jointly announced an order for twelve more 767Fs in June, and FedEx has since taken delivery of six others in addition to this aircraft.

Atlas delivers twentieth 767-300F to Amazon. The Seattle-based e-tailer’s air carrier subsidiary, Amazon Air, took delivery of its fortieth 767-300 converted freighter (28865) [FAT 004689].

Slovenia-based Solinair acquired an A300-600F (756) on lease from MNG Airlines [FAT 004694], which had operated the aircraft on behalf of DHL Express. As with Solinair’s other on-lease A300F (532), the aircraft will likely continue to operate for DHL.

Russian carrier Aviastar-TU took redelivery of its second 757-200PCF (25696, ex-American Airlines) [FAT 004695]. The carrier told Cargo Facts earlier this year that it may continue growing its 757F fleet in 2019 and already has arrangements in place for additional feedstock.

United Kingdom-based Titan Airways put a 737-400 (25853, ex-British Airways) into conversion with Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) at the Commercial Jet facility in Dothan (DHN) [FAT 004684].

 Ireland-based ASL Airlines took redelivery of a 737-400F (28892, ex-Alaska Airlines) following its conversion to freighter configuration by Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. at the Commercial Jet facility in Dothan (DHN) [FAT 004696]. The aircraft is one of a three-aircraft order of ex-Alaska 737s ASL put into conversion during the first half of 2018. The three narrowbody freighters will likely be deployed at one of ASL’s subsidiary carriers.

Kalitta Charters II took delivery of a 737-300F (23707, ex-Estafeta Carga Aérea) [FAT 004697].

Brazil-based Azul Linhas Aéreas took redelivery of a 737-400F (28053, ex-Miami Air International) after it was converted to freighter configuration by PEMCO [FAT 004698].

Bulgaria-based Cargo Air put a 737-400 (28038, ex-Enter Air) into conversion with Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. [FAT 004699]. The carrier acquired the passenger aircraft in late 2016 and leased it to Greece-based Astra Airlines from April to October 2017. Redelivery is expected during 1Q 2019.