Air France ACMI leases Cargolux 747 during 777F maintenance

Cargolux has been flying one of its 747-400Fs for Air France on an ACMI basis since 21 July while one of the French carrier’s 777Fs (32966) undergoes planned heavy maintenance [FAT 005095]. Air France KLM Martinair Cargo confirmed to Cargo Facts that the ACMI deal will last until unit 32966 completes the maintenance work in Orly (ORY), expected on 25 August.

Based on flight-tracking data, unit 34235, a Cargolux 747-400F delivered in November 2005, has been exclusively flying between Paris (CDG) and Chicago (ORD), operating the route non-stop three times a week, with a stop on the eastbound leg in Prestwick (PIK) on Fridays and Dublin (DUB) on Saturdays.

Unit 32966 was delivered to Air France in February 2009 and is undergoing a D-check after ten years in service. Air France told Cargo Facts that its other 777F (32965) already completed a D-check last year.

Air France took delivery of a third 777F (32967) in November 2009 but subsequently downsized its freighter fleet and transferred that aircraft to FedEx in March 2010.

This June, when KLM sent one of its 747-400ERFs (33696) to Xiamen (XMN) for a D-check, Air France KLM Martinair Cargo also arranged a short-term ACMI lease of an Atlas Air 747-400F (32840) to cover for the lost capacity on trans-Atlantic routes from Amsterdam (AMS).

In total, Air France KLM Martinair Cargo’s freighter fleet consists of one 747-400BCF operated by Martinair, three 747-400ERFs operated by KLM, and two 777Fs operated by Air France.