Sky Gates plans fleet expansion

[caption id="attachment_414450" align="alignright" width="500"] Sky Gates currently has two 747-400Fs. (Photo: Sky Gates Airlines)[/caption] Russia-based Sky Gates Airlines will soon expand its freighter fleet with at least one more 747-400F. The carrier told Cargo Facts it expects to add the aircraft in 2021, and is currently in discussions to finalize the deal. Sky Gates currently operates two, twenty-year-old 747-400Fs (32571, ex-Cathay Pacific, and 30804, ex-Silk Way West), that were introduced in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Meanwhile, Sky Gates will also ramp up its operations at Moscow’s Zhukovsky International Airport (ZIA) by adding a twice-weekly flight connecting Zhengzhou (CGO) with Frankfurt-Hahn (HHN) that makes a stop at ZIA, Moscow’s fourth major airport. The carrier operates from Sheremetyevo (SVO), ZIA and Novosibirsk (OVB), but told Cargo Facts it will eventually use ZIA as its hub, and plans more flights there later this year. ZIA, which recently launched new cargo facilities, is a good alternative to SVO because the latter is too congested, according to Sky Gates. SVO is the hub of AirBridgeCargo (ABC), which has thirteen 747-8Fs, four 747-400Fs and one newly delivered 777F . Rather than competing with ABC on fleet size, Sky Gates said it will continue its focus on niche markets with interline partners, most notably Azerbaijan-based Silk Way West Airlines . There may also be further fleet growth beyond the third 747-400F; Sky Gates told Cargo Facts a fourth aircraft is a possibility, either toward the end of next year or in early 2022. While the carrier continues to receive charter requests, most of its flying will continue to be on a regularly scheduled basis. Sky Gates noted that while it does not currently fly to Hong Kong (HKG), it still holds traffic rights and may also restart a direct flight to and from Russia. With Sky Gates’ 747 aspirations in mind, below is a list of currently parked 747 freighters that Cargo Facts believes could reasonably be reactivated. However, that potential fourth aircraft may still be in active service with another carrier at the time of publication. [wpdatatable id=35 table_view=regular] 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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Sky Gates plans fleet expansion

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Pos Malaysia divests from freighter operation

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Related Posts

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