Lufthansa Cargo has taken delivery of its eighth 777F (66911) from Boeing [FAT 005587]. The aircraft departed the Boeing facility in Everett (PAE) on Aug. 30, and was ferried directly to the carrier’s hub in Frankfurt (FRA).
The freighter is one of two new-build 777F deliveries the carrier is expecting this year as part of a November 2019 order, and brings the overall freighter fleet to fourteen aircraft. The second unit is expected in a “few weeks” according to a release from the carrier.
Despite persistent challenges with the carrier’s passenger unit, Lufthansa’s fleet modernization plans weren’t altered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The carrier confirmed to Cargo Facts in July that it still plans to retire all six remaining MD-11Fs by the end of 2020 and transition fully to the 777F platform in 2021. As of Aug. 31, all six MD-11Fs are still actively flying.
Cargo Facts believes three of these MD-11Fs will head to UPS, which will shortly be bringing into service two (48805 and 48806) it has already acquired from Lufthansa.
In addition to Lufthansa Cargo’s own-operated 777F fleet, additional lift is provided by AeroLogic, the carrier’s joint venture with DHL Express.
