Freighter aircraft transactions through January 2018

Every week in Cargo Facts Update, we include a list of recent freighter aircraft transactions, and then a comprehensive summary in the monthly issue of Cargo Facts. Each reference to a freighter aircraft transaction (FAT) in our publications contains a unique FAT code linked to the FAT database on the CargoFacts.com website. This database is available to subscribers as an interactive tool on our website, and you can go to it from the “FAT Data” tab at the top of the home page, or directly at http://cargofacts1.wpengine.com/fat/

Below, we include the transactions from recent issues of Cargo Facts Update, and we encourage you to make use of the FAT database here on our website.

A second 747-8F for Qatar – is another on the way? Qatar Airways took delivery of the second of two 747-8Fs (37564) it had on order with Boeing [FAT 004159]. The freighter has an interesting history: It was one of the first of the type built, planned for Atlas Air. But when Atlas exercised a contractual right to decline delivery of three of the ten 747-8Fs it originally ordered, this freighter, along with two others, could find no home. When the Seattle football team was contending for its first Super Bowl, Boeing painted the freighter in team colors, and flew it over Seattle (as shown in the photo).

CAL Cargo Airlines confirmed it is the buyer of the 747-400ERF (35169) auctioned on Alibaba’s Taobao website in late December [FAT 004178].

FedEx returned a 747-400BDSF (27174) to Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, following short-term ACMI operation during the 2017 peak season [FAT 004180].

Moldova-based Aerotrans Cargo is reported to have acquired a 747-400F (28434). The aircraft was returned off lease by Malaysia Airlines in November to UK-based lessor Aircraft Leasing & Management [FATs 004160 – 4161]. In addition to this freighter, Aerotrans currently operates another 747-400F, two 747-400BDSFs (ACMI-leased to Bismillah Airlines and Global Aviation), and ACMI-leases a Saab 340AF from Airest.

Turkish Airlines took delivery of a 777F (60404) from Boeing [FAT 004168]. This is the second of two 777 freighters the carrier ordered at the beginning of 2017.

Saudia Cargo reactivates four 777Fs [FATs 004199 – 4202]. At first glance, this does not appear to significantly change the main-deck capacity offered by the Middle East’s four major carriers, because, as we reported last week, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways parked all five of its A330-200Fs. But a closer look at Saudia’s freighter fleet shows that parking the 777Fs last year was just one part of a capacity-reduction program begun at the end of 2015, and their reactivation comes nowhere close to replacing the capacity cut over the last two years.

Etihad Cargo parks A330-200Fs. Between 28 December and 11 January, Abu Dhabi-headquartered Etihad Airways removed all five of its A330-200Fs from service, and placed them into storage, according to various flight-tracking databases [FATs 004193 4197]. While no public announcement has been made regarding the vast reduction in freighter capacity, it is widely believed that the shift away from A330-200 freighter operations is part of a broader restructuring plan to return the carrier to profitability.

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings (AAWW) took redelivery of a 767-300BCF (27960, ex-Mega Global Air) following conversion by Boeing [FATs 004169 – 4173]. Titan Aviation Holdings (AAWW’s leasing arm) dry-leased the freighter to Amazon, which handed it back for CMI operation in the Prime Air network by Atlas Air.

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings acquired a 767-300 (28865, ex-Thomas Cook Airlines) and ferried it to Tel Aviv, where Atlas will have it converted to freighter configuration by Bedek (FATs 004144 – 004145).

AAWW acquired a 767-300ER (26208, ex-EuroAtlantic Airways) from GECAS. The aircraft was ferried to Tel Aviv where it is in conversion to BDSF configuration by Bedek [FATs 004147-004148 and 004179].

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings acquired a 767-300ER (27206, ex-Thomas Cook Airlines) and will have it converted to freighter configuration for eventual operation in the Amazon Air fleet [FAT 004205].

Air Transport Services Group acquired a 767-300ER (25446, ex-American Airlines) from Jetran, and will have it converted to BDSF freighter configuration by Bedek Aviation Group [FATs 004185 – 4186].

Denmark-based Star Air acquired a 767-300ERF (35818) on lease from GECAS. The freighter was in the LATAM Cargo fleet from 2010, but was returned to GECAS in September 2017. [FAT 004192].

FedEx took delivery of a 767-300F (63095) from Boeing [FAT 004162].

FedEx took delivery of a 767-300F (42730) from Boeing [FAT 004204]. FedEx now operates fifty-two 767-300Fs and has sixty-three more on order with Boeing.

FedEx removed an A310-300F (378) from service and ferried it to Victorville (VCV) for storage [FAT 004181]. FedEx now has just five A310 freighters in service, all -300s.

Another 757 freighter for SF. China-based SF Airlines acquired a 757-200 (27806, ex-American Airlines) and will have it converted to freighter configuration by ST Aerospace [FATs 004174 – 4175].

China-based SF Airlines took redelivery of a 757-200PCF (29423, ex-American Airlines) following conversion to freighter configuration by Precision Aircraft Solutions [FAT 004187].

China-based YTO Express Airlines took redelivery of a 757-200PCF (29217, ex-China Southern Airlines) following conversion to freighter configuration by Precision Aircraft Solutions [FAT 004188].

Another 757 in conversion for DHL. DHL Express acquired a 757-200 (29589, ex-American Airlines) and will have it converted to freighter configuration by Precision Aircraft Solutions at the Flightstar facility in Jacksonville (VQQ) [FATs 004163 – 4164].

737-800 freighters for Ethiopian. GECAS signed an agreement with Ethiopian Airlines for the lease of two 737-800 freighters, following conversion by Aeronautical Engineers, Inc [FATs 004183 – 4184]. This makes Ethiopian GECAS’ third lease customer for freighter-converted 737-800s, but it could be the first carrier to operate a 737-800 freighter.

A 737-800 freighter for Air Algérie. Air Algérie ferried a 737-800 (30202, from its own fleet) to China for conversion to BCF freighter configuration by Boeing [FAT 004206]. The carrier currently operates two 737-700Cs.

ASL Airlines Belgium acquired a 737-400F (29202, ex-Aero Contractors) on lease from GECAS, following conversion to freighter configuration by Aeronautical Engineers, Inc [FATs 004165 – 4166].

ASL Airlines Ireland took redelivery of a 737-400F (29201, ex-Aero Contractors) on lease from GECAS, following conversion to freighter configuration by Aeronautical Engineers, Inc [FATs 004190 – 4191].

AEI redelivers its 100th 737-400 freighter conversion. Ireland-based ASL Aviation Group took redelivery of a 737-400F (25097, ex-Alaska Airlines) following conversion to freighter configuration by Aeronautical Engineers, Inc [FAT 004203]. The freighter will join the fleet of subsidiary carrier ASL Airlines Ireland. ASL currently has four more 737-400 aircraft in or awaiting conversion by AEI at the Commercial Jet facility in Dothan (DHN).

South Africa-based Safair took redelivery of a 737-400F (27142) following conversion to full-freighter configuration at PEMCO’s Tampa MRO facility. This aircraft had previously been operated by Safair in Combi configuration since 2012 [FAT 004198].

US-based Kalitta Charters II took redelivery of a 737-400F (25858, ex-British Airways) following conversion to freighter configuration by Aeronautical Engineers, Inc [FAT 004189].

Brazil-based Modern Logistics acquired a 737-400F (25374, ex-Enter Air) on lease from Vx Capital Partners, following conversion to freighter configuration by Aeronautical Engineers, Inc [FATs 004176 – 4177]. Modern Logistics now operates two freighters, both 737-400Fs.

Syria-based FlyDamas acquired a 737-400F (25113), believed to be on lease from Tarco Air (which, in turn, leases the freighter from Vx Capital Partners) [FAT 004182].

Mexico-based Aeronaves TSM took redelivery of an MD-83F (53289, ex-American Airlines) following conversion to freighter configuration by Aeronautical Engineers, Inc [FAT 004167].

Interested in learning more about the future of the worldwide freighter fleet? Then  join us at Cargo Facts Asia 2018, where our sister company Air Cargo Management Group will release the 2018 edition of its “Twenty Year Freighter Forecast.

Cargo Facts Asia will be held 23-25 April, at the Mandarin Oriental Pudong in Shanghai. For more information, or to register, visit www.cargofactsasia.com