Cargolux sees no further 747 additions in its future

All-747F operator Cargolux is unlikely to add any more quad-engined freighters to its fleet as the carrier looks ahead at the next generation of large widebody freighters, CEO Richard Forson told Cargo Facts on the sidelines of Cargo Facts EMEA 2021. “If I take into account the necessity to start reducing our carbon footprint,” bringing in additional 747 freighters “is not really an option,” said Forson, even if a future downturn leads to “cheap capacity.” Cargolux is in discussions with both Airbus and Boeing on each of their proposed large-freighter concepts, and that the selection will have to take into account environmental factors, Forson said. [caption id="attachment_416031" align="alignright" width="560"] In alignment with its long-term sustainability goals, Cargolux does not plan to add more 747 freighters to its fleet. (Photo/Budapest Airport)[/caption] With any potential A350 or 777X freighter at least several years away, he said he would not rule out taking on a current-generation twin, but it would have to offer a “problem-free rollover” to the next generation. Also unlikely are freighter-converted 777-300ERs, which could become available from around 2023 through Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and GECAS. Regulatory timelines aside, Forson hinted at a preference for a factory-built freighter, without specifying a manufacturer. Cargolux currently has fourteen 747-8Fs and sixteen 747-400Fs, and has not operated converted freighters since it removed its last -400BCF in 2016. “A production freighter is always going to be better than a conversion. Normally, there's a weight penalty, and you don't get the full payload that you wish to get out of it. Although new aircraft are more expensive compared to conversions, the additional cost is usually justified over the life cycle of high-utilization aircraft, said Forson. While Forson expects the IAI and GECAS partnership to eventually certify its 777-300ERSF program, it would take a Boeing-led passenger-to-freighter conversion program for the 777 to potentially change Cargolux’s calculus. “If the OEM does the conversion, I’d probably feel a lot more comfortable regarding certification,” he said. In any case, Cargolux’s current fleet is not old by any means; the two oldest freighters are 1999-vintage frames and still able to serve it for at least a few more years, Forson said. Returning to the carrier’s 747s, fleet growth had been expected to launch a joint-venture carrier with Henan Civil Aviation Development and Investment Company (HNCA), which owns a 35% stake in Cargolux. That project is now officially off the table. Plans had called for the JV airline to launch in 2016 with a fleet of used 747-400Fs. The project encountered delays from regulatory hurdles and foreign-ownership caps which restricted Cargolux’s stake in the airline to 25%, when it had targeted 35% . In 2017, the project appeared to be moving forward as Henan Cargo Airlines, but never received an AOC. “At this point in time there are no plans for a JV airline,” Forson said. Abandoning the JV project and broader fleet growth is in part a recognition of the cyclical nature of air cargo. “We’ve had five years of good growth,” Forson cautioned. “Sooner or later, there's going to be a downturn; it's the natural course of events.” While the trans-Pacific airline will not materialize, Cargolux’s interest in Zhengzhou (CGO) and the Asia-Pacific region remains. “We continue, obviously, with our good relationship with HNCA and with the local government in Henan Province in continuing to build up CGO as a significant hub in China. Even without a Chinese affiliate, Cargolux has continued to grow its presence in mainland China, having added Shenzhen (SZX) to its regularly scheduled network in 2020. “My biggest desire is to always be a relevant player in the market,” said Forson. “To be a relevant player, I don’t need 300 freighters; I just need to be there and to serve the customer base that I serve today.”

Cargolux sees no further 747 additions in its future

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CF EMEA 2021: Innovation Spotlight showcases autonomous and unmanned aircraft technology

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