KLM Cargo 744ERF at Hong Kong

Wings flexing as it passes the tower at Hong Kong International Airport, KLM Cargo is Amsterdam bound on this gray day at Chek Lap Kok. PH-CKC (msn: 33696) is one of KLM Cargo’s four 747-400ERFs, though these aircraft are actually operated by Martinair, which is also part of the Air France-KLM group. Air France and KLM merged in 2005, adding Martinair in 2008 when AF-KLM became Martinair’s sole shareholder. Since that time the three formerly separate cargo operations have been gradually combined, and now offer a unified product. With belly and combi capacity factored in, the combined group offers more than 350 destinations in 170 countries.

Despite this expansive service, AF-KLM Cargo has struggled over the past few years, with a €220M loss in 2012, more than double the loss of 2011. Interestingly, these losses come despite the fact that AF-KLM began shrinking its combined fleet freighter fleet in 2009, saying at the time that it intended to pursue yield over market share. Air France sold off two 747-400ERFs in 2009, four 747-400BCFs in 2010, and sold three of the five 777-200Fs it had ordered to FedEx on delivery. Martinair’s 747-400BCF fleet, all leased, shrank from four to just one in this period. Most recently, Martinair parked an MD-11CF in February, while KLM signed an agreement to lease one of its 747-400ERFs to Etihad.

The total current freighter fleet of “Air France-KLM Cargo” is comprised of six different aircraft types in four liveries. Martinair Cargo operates six MD-11Fs/CFs and one 747-400BCF (operated currently in jv with Kenya Airways Cargo in a unique “Safari Connection” livery), while KLM Cargo uses the four 747-400ERFs.

KLM also operates 17 747-400M combis, most of which see regular freight duties. Though Martinair operates the -400ERFs, The combi aircraft are operated as KLM aircraft. KLM’s combi operation is the largest of its kind and the carrier is the largest operator of the 747-400M. The addition of the 777-300ER, with its ample belly capacity, is likely to impact the aging combi fleet in the next few years. The 777-300ER is already used between Amsterdam and Hong Kong.

The Air France cargo fleet, which operates in concert with KLM and Martinair Cargo, is comprised of a trio of 747-400 Freighters and two 777-200 Freighters. Air France also has a single 747-400 combi (inherited from the 1992 acquisition of UTA), but that aircraft is operated exclusively as a passenger aircraft.
We’ll be hearing more about AF-KLM’s operations, and specifically its Asia destinations and traffic, at the upcoming Cargo Facts Asia conference next week, where Robert Kunen, Air France-KLM-Martinair Cargo’s director of Hong Kong & Southern China will be speaking. We hope to see you there.

This photo comes courtesy of contributor Christian Junker, a founding member of the Association of Hong Kong Aviation Photographers (ahkgap.net). The Association also highlights notable aircraft that visit the airport.

© Photographer: Christian Junker. This photo may not be used without the express permission of Christian Junker. To see more of Christian’s excellent aviation photos, click here.