Cargo Facts
SUBSCRIBE
  • NEWS
  • DATA
  • MULTIMEDIA
  • MAGAZINE
    • Issue Archive
    • Weekly Update
  • EVENTS
  • CONSULTING
Sunday, March 7, 2021
Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Aircraft Leasing
  • Capacity & Demand
  • Carriers
  • E-Commerce
  • Engines
  • Express
  • Freighter Aircraft
  • Freighter Conversions
Cargo Facts
  • NEWS
  • DATA
  • MULTIMEDIA
  • MAGAZINE
    • Issue Archive
    • Weekly Update
  • EVENTS
  • CONSULTING
Log In
No Result
View All Result
Cargo Facts
No Result
View All Result

KLM 747 Combis slip off schedule and (back) into retirement

Charles Kauffman by Charles Kauffman
October 21, 2020
in Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Freighter Aircraft, Freighter Conversions, News Archives, Strategy
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedIn
KLM brought three 747-400 Combis out of retirement in April to transport cargo. (Photo: KLM)

Three KLM-operated 747-400 Combis — the final three in commercial services — will disappear from cargo schedules with the start of the winter season Oct. 25.

Retirement will follow for the widebody trio, KLM Cargo confirmed.

Though the aircraft will no longer be hauling cargo for KLM, the airframes will continue to support the air cargo market as young GE-powered 747s, either as a source of spare parts or conversion feedstock. Reactivations have grown the in-service 747-400 freighter fleet, throttling demand for parts and engines. The CF6 powers not only most 747-400Fs, but also the majority of freighter-converted 767-300Fs.

With few 747-400s converted in recent years, renewed life as a freighter may seem improbable, but at least one conversion house thinks this is increasingly likely amid the pandemic. It has been two years since the last passenger-configured 747 was converted to freighter configuration, but Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), the only company still offering 747 conversions, remains optimistic that at least one more 747 will be converted. Asiana Airlines surprised the industry in 2017 when it converted two 747-400 Combis from its own fleet to freighter configuration.

Compared to a full-freighter conversion, combi-to-freighter conversions are nominally cheaper, and can be completed faster. IAI converted Asiana’s 747 Combis in about 90 days. The KLM units are reasonably young for a 747-400, ranging in age from twenty to twenty-four years old.

Returning to KLM, the scheduled, cargo-only flights that had been operated by the Combis will be reduced, with 777-300ERs replacing the flights that will continue to operate. The Dutch carrier had decided in April to reactivate two Combis for cargo-only flights to China, but ended up bringing three of four back into service (28459, 28460 and 30454). The fourth aircraft (28195) was removed from service in late March and ferried to Mohave (MHV) in May.

Since April, units 28459, 28460 and 30454 have only flown to Beijing (PEK), Shanghai (PVG) and Hong Kong (HKG), with cargo also being carried in the passenger cabin starting in May.

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.

Tags: 747-400F747FAir Cargo StrategyAir France KLM Martinair CargoIAIPremiumWidebody freighters
Previous Post

Amazon Air goes international with Leipzig hub

Next Post

Olympus prepares to double 757F fleet

Related Posts

LATAM Cargo receives first 767 converted freighter
Freighter Conversions

Weekly Wrap: Macquarie and LATAM notch up new conversion orders

March 5, 2021
Mesa to expand freighter fleet with leased 737F
Aircraft Leasing

Mesa Airlines to expand freighter fleet with leased 737F

March 5, 2021
Lufthansa Cargo to add first used 777F
Carriers

Lufthansa Cargo to add first used 777F

March 4, 2021
Next Post
Olympus prepares to double 757F fleet

Olympus prepares to double 757F fleet

By subscribing you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Get Latest Issue

CARGO FACTS CONSULTING

4 airlines that could end up with NCA’s 747-400Fs

Japanese air exports up in December and January, imports down

March 3, 2021
DHL begins transferring 767 ops to Amerijet

2020 express volumes up amid lower yields

March 2, 2021
  • About Us
  • Help Center
  • Privacy Terms
  • ADA Compliance
  • Advertise

Follow Us

twitter twitter linkedin podcast

© 2021 Royal Media & Cargo Facts

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • All News
    • Aircraft Leasing
    • Capacity & Demand
    • Carriers
    • E-Commerce
    • Engines
    • Express
    • Freighter Aircraft
    • Freighter Conversions
  • Data
  • Multimedia
  • Magazine
    • Issues Archive
    • Weekly Update
  • Events
  • Consulting
  • Subscribe
  • Log In / Account

© 2021 Royal Media & Cargo Facts

Go to mobile version