Kalitta sees record fleet utilization

[caption id="attachment_412450" align="alignright" width="460"] Kalitta Air's fleet of twenty-four 747 freighters is being kept very busy during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo: Kalitta Air)[/caption] U.S.-based ACMI and charter operator Kalitta Air is experiencing one of the highest fleet utilization rates in its history. As much of the passenger fleet around the world is parked in storage for at least the next couple of months to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, cargo carriers are benefiting from the ensuing severe lack of airfreight capacity. According to Ned Wallace, president of Wallace Air Cargo Group, which handles scheduled and charter marketing and sales for Kalitta Air, the high utilization is particularly true of the carrier’s 747 freighters. The fleet, which consists of ten 747-400BCFs and fourteen production 747-400Fs, is flying “full-speed,” with about half already committed to ACMI flying and the other half flying charters. See also: Kalitta converts freighter into pax configuration for Wuhan evacuation ops As fewer passenger flights are scheduled, the demand for cargo capacity is creating extreme peak conditions for freighter operators. Although Wallace has already sold Kalitta’s charter capacity through most of April, he continues to receive charter inquiries from almost every corner of the globe. But he said Kalitta is trying to focus on keeping relatively simple flying patterns, involving mostly Hong Kong, mainland China and a few European cities. Many of these flights carry relief supplies and medical equipment as well as products such as automotive parts, which would normally be flying in the bellies of passenger aircraft. Kalitta last week was granted six more charters from the U.S. Department of Transportation for flights between Chicago (ORD) and Shanghai (PVG) between March 9 and 29. The carrier is in discussions with the DOT to have the charter capacity limit lifted beyond the current maximum of seventy-five flights per year to the busiest cities in China. Even with widespread travel restrictions in place, as well as reduced connectivity options, Kalitta has had no disruptions with crew scheduling and positioning. For more about Kalitta’s operations in the current pandemic, stay tuned for our next episode of Cargo Facts Connect , coming later this week.

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Kalitta sees record fleet utilization

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Boeing to pause production for two weeks amid pandemic

ACE leverages serendipitous 747 addition

Related Posts

Listen: Will we finally find out what’s next for widebody freighters?

Air Incheon joins growing number of all-737NG freighter operators

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ACE leverages serendipitous 747 addition

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CARGO FACTS CONSULTING

CFC: US inbound cross-border e-commerce shipments jump 15%

E-commerce traffic boosts US domestic air express outlook through 2026

Follow Us