Eastern sets sights on 767Fs and 777Fs

[caption id="attachment_414622" align="alignright" width="500"] Eastern recently added its first 777-200ER. (Photo: Eastern Airlines)[/caption] Pennsylvania-headquartered Eastern Airlines may primarily be a leisure carrier transporting passengers between the U.S. and Latin America for now, but the airline is accelerating its plans to develop its cargo business, with freighters firmly in its sights. Mike Duggan, recently appointed director of international cargo business development, told Cargo Facts that as a niche startup carrier with the appetite to invest, Eastern is able to react quickly to capitalize on opportunities, particularly in the current market conditions. To that end, Eastern is looking seriously at 767F and 777Fs, and exploring ACMI operations for express carriers, its own scheduled network, and partnerships or joint ventures with other players. According to Duggan, in terms of the 767s, Eastern could acquire and convert its own 767-300ERs, which would mean having to wait until at least 2021. But, with a number of -300Fs coming off lease later this year, the company could acquire aircraft already in freighter configuration, eliminating the wait for a conversion slot. As for 777Fs, Duggan said he is “very interested” in the range and volume of the 777-300ERSF, which would enable Eastern to operate long-haul trans-Atlantic and even trans-Pacific flights. Given that the 777-300ERSF program has yet to cut metal on the prototype frame, however, Duggan is also considering the production 777F — an aircraft with which he is familiar, having managed the deployment of the type at Emirates earlier in his carrier. With an existing owned fleet of four 767-200s, four 767-300ERs and one 777-200ER, with another 777-200ER joining soon, CMI freighter operations could also be an option; Duggan noted that Eastern had recently signed a deal to operate two VIP 767-300ERs owned by the New England Patriots on football charters. Eastern has been marketing the belly capacity of both the repatriation and scheduled flights it is operating from Miami (MIA) and New York (JFK) to destinations such as Asuncion (ASU), Georgetown (GEO) and Guayaquil (GYE), with Los Cabos (SJD), Montevideo (MVD) and Port-au-Prince (PAP) to come. Duggan said GYE is currently Eastern’s largest cargo market, with seafood exports, but many of the Latin American destinations offer opportunities for perishables and flowers. Discussions are ongoing with various GSAs around the world to further expand Eastern’s cargo presence, according to Duggan, who has also worked at Southern Air , Saudia Cargo and DHL , among others. Eastern Airlines, which acquired the rights to that brand from Swift Air — now iAero Airways — operated its first flight in January. 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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