Cargolux nabs three 747-400ERFs as ASL restructures leased fleet

Last year, Cargolux confirmed plans to add three used 747-400ERFs to its fleet in 2019. At the time, a number of sources for the aircraft were possible , but now that a Luxembourgian registration has been reserved for the first aircraft (35236, ex-ASL Airlines Belgium) the identities of the other two incoming 747-400ERFs begin to emerge. We’ll start with a bit of history on 35236, which is expected to be the first aircraft to join the CV fleet this year. The aircraft was originally delivered to TNT Airways in 2008, but for the majority of its commercial life until 2017, has operated on behalf of Emirates. In 2017, Emirates opted not to renew its operational agreement with ASL, at which point Cargolux appears to have swooped in and purchased the aircraft from its owner. Since May 2018, Cargolux has continued to sublease the unit to ASL Airlines. Following the expiry of the lease – likely in the next month – Cargolux will bring the freighter back into its own fleet. As for the identities of the other two -400ERFs earmarked for Cargolux’s fleet, Cargo Facts believes two -400ERFs currently operating in the ASL Airlines Belgium fleet on behalf of FedEx – 35232 and 35234 – will soon be on their way to Luxembourg. According to FedEx’s most recent Stat Book, the leases on the two 747-400Fs are scheduled to expire in 2019. Both units were originally delivered to TNT Airways in 2007, originally on lease from Guggenheim Aviation Partners. A source familiar with the aircraft told Cargo Facts that TNT later decided to purchase the leased aircraft. The pair of freighters then became the property of FedEx following its takeover of TNT, but now appear to have been sold. Like 35236, these two sister ships will end up with Cargolux as their current operational leases expire. An ASL Group spokesperson confirmed to Cargo Facts that 747s would be leaving the ASL Airlines Belgium fleet, adding, “ASL is well into a program to replace these aircraft with similarly capable aircraft, and will continue to serve the long-haul market.” ASL did not go into specifics regarding how the Group intends to replace the production 747Fs, but a number of options exist. Were ASL to opt for “similarly capable” aircraft, options would be limited to production freighters with payload and range characteristics similar to the 747-400ERF. Another option would be smaller capacity A330-200Fs, but we note that ASL Belgium currently operates an all-Boeing freighter fleet. More likely, Cargo Facts expects ASL to opt for used 747-400Fs (though few are available) or freighter-converted 747Fs, if the nose-loading capabilities of the production freighter is not a necessary element for ASL’s long-haul widebody fleet. Those interested in learning more about trends in the widebody freighter fleet are invited to join us at Cargo Facts Asia 2019, to be held 15-17 at the Langham Shanghai. For more information, or to register, visit www.cargofactsasia.com

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Cargolux nabs three 747-400ERFs as ASL restructures leased fleet

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The narrowbody freighter fleet part II: 737 NG conversions enter the fleet

The narrowbody freighter fleet part III: 757-200F dominates in express

Related Posts

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