ACT Airlines on the hunt for 747-400Fs

[caption id="attachment_414477" align="alignright" width="500"] The two 747-400Fs being flown for Turkish Cargo remain painted in ACT’s colors. (Photo: ACT Airlines)[/caption] Turkey-based ACT Airlines is on the hunt for more 747Fs. The carrier told Cargo Facts it plans to add two more units to its all-747-400F fleet either later this year, or in 2021. ACT said it had decided on the expansion and begun the search last year, but is currently still evaluating the most feasible assets, based on age and price. That task has been made more challenging in 2020, with the strong upswing in the cargo market and the consequent high demand for freighter aircraft. That has proven to be especially true for the production 747-400F. ACT is clearly not alone in wanting to add 747-400Fs; Russia-based Sky Gates recently told Cargo Facts it also intends to expand its fleet , while Air Atlanta Icelandic added two frames on lease earlier this year, with one (26563, ex-El Al) entering ACMI service for Magma Aviation and the other (28263, ex-China Cargo Airlines) now being flown for Saudia Cargo . Additionally, Bermuda-based Longtail Aviation entered the freighter market with its first 747-400F (27503, ex-Cargolux), on lease from U.A.E.-based Aquiline International . While ACT’s preference is for the production freighter, it may not have many options left. Two -400Fs previously flying with AirBridgeCargo (36784 and 36785, both ex-Nippon Cargo Airlines) and stored in May appear to now have been snapped up; the two 747s left Teruel, Spain (TEV) on Aug. 21 and were ferried to Frankfurt-Hahn (HHN). At just under twelve years old, these were the youngest -400Fs on our list of parked 747Fs that could reasonably be reactivated. Parked 747Fs that could be reactivated [as of 8/24/2020] [wpdatatable id=35 table_view=regular] ACT has five leased 747-400Fs in ACMI service: two production -400ERFs (32866 and 32867, both ex-Air France) operated for Turkish Cargo ; and one production -400F (26559, ex-Singapore Airlines) and two -400BDSFs (25641 and 25645, both ex-ANA) operated for Saudia Cargo. Unit 26559 was involved in a tail strike upon takeoff from Dammam (DMM) in February and diverted to Jeddah (JED), where it is now undergoing repairs. ACT told Cargo Facts it initially ran into issues trying to get its maintenance personnel into Saudi Arabia due to entry restrictions, but that the repair work is now on schedule and that the aircraft is expected back in service in November. Beyond the 747-400, ACT also said it would look to the 777 platform as its future freighter of choice, but had not decided between the 777F or the 777-300ERSF. While Cargo Facts Symposium 2020 will be presented as a virtual event, the unparalleled networking and continuing education opportunities remain, with the best and brightest minds addressing the most pressing industry issues for air cargo — including those around COVID-19. To register and for more information, visit www.cargofactssymposium.com .

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ACT Airlines on the hunt for 747-400Fs

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Cardig Air boosts capacity with reactivation

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Japanese air exports up in December and January, imports down

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Follow Us