Freighter aircraft transactions through the end of March

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.

Lufthansa Cargo took delivery of another 777F (66090) last month, the second of two the carrier’s board approved for purchase from Boeing to be delivered this year [FAT 004815]. AeroLogic, the 50/50 JV between Lufthansa and DHL Express, will also lease an additional 777F from Boeing this year, to be delivered this fall ahead of the peak season.

Qatar Airways returned an A330-200F (1406) off-lease, to BOC Aviation [FAT 004811]. The aircraft is being repainted ahead of redelivery to Sichuan Airlines and will be the Chengdu-based carrier’s second of three ex-QR Cargo A330-200Fs.

Atlas Air acquired a 767-300ER (27568, ex-Neos) and ferried it to Taipei, where it will be inducted for conversion to freighter configuration by Boeing at the EGAT facility [FATs 004812-4813].

A 757-200 (29941, ex-TUI Airways) was ferried to Chengdu for conversion to freighter configuration by Precision [FAT 004816]. Once redelivered, the aircraft is expected to join the fleet of SF Airlines.

Ethiopian Airlines took redelivery of its second 737-800SF (32613, ex-China Southern Airlines) converted by Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. [FAT 004817]. Touch labor for the conversion, which is on-lease from GECAS, was completed at the Commercial Jet facility in Miami. AEI’s backlog for 737-800SF conversions includes orders and options for another sixty-three estimated units.

Amazon to add 737-800Fs. A Boeing-converted 737-800BCF (32882, ex-China Southern Airlines) was spotted in China last month, sporting an Amazon Air “Prime Air” livery [FATs 004809-4810]. Shortly after photos of the aircraft were leaked on Twitter, Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings announced Southern Air, one of Atlas’ subsidiary carriers, will operate at least five and as many as twenty 737-800Fs for Amazon Air on a CMI basis. The aircraft in the deal will be leased from a third party – likely GECAS, which owns the unit spotted in Jinan.

Air Incheon returned a 737-400F (25190, ex-Ukraine International Airlines) to lessor GECAS [FAT 004818]. Cargo Facts believes the aircraft may soon be leased to Brazilian carrier Sideral Linhas Aéreas.

Those interested in learning more about future trends in freighter transactions are invited to join us at Cargo Facts Asia 2019, to be held 15-17 at the Langham Shanghai where Cargo Facts Consulting will present the 2019 edition of its annual twenty-year Freighter Forecast. For more information, or to register, visit www.cargofactsasia.com.