Freighter aircraft transactions through mid-April

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.

UPS took delivery of a 747-8F (64254) from Boeing [FAT 004336]. This is the fifth 747-8F Boeing has delivered to UPS in just over six months, considerably boosting the company’s intercontinental capacity. But, at home in the US market, demand for UPS’ domestic express service has outstripped capacity to the point that the company has been forced to ACMI-lease considerable freighter lift. Based on data from flight-tracking website flightaware, it appears that Western Global Airlines is currently operating seven MD-11Fs (48412, 48435, 48512, 48513, 48542, 48543, 48546), and 21 Air is operating one 767-200F (23801), in US domestic service for UPS [FATs 004337 – 4344].

US-based ACMI and charter operator Kalitta Air acquired a 747-400F (32908) from Korean Air [FAT004345]. Kalitta is now one of the world’s biggest 747 freighter operators, with a twenty-one unit fleet, including one -400ERF, ten -400Fs, and ten -400BCFs.

Qatar signs LOI for five more 777Fs. Qatar Airways this week signed a Letter of Intent with Boeing to purchase five 777 Freighters [FATs 004353 – 4357]. Assuming the order is finalized, Qatar Airways may become the operator of the world’s largest jet freighter fleet outside the big express companies and ACMI providers. The carrier currently operates two 747-8Fs, thirteen 777Fs, and eight A330-200Fs. It also has three more 777Fs on order (rising to eight when the LOI is finalized).

Air Incheon to fly first 767F for Samsung. Next week, Korea-based all-cargo carrier Air Incheon will begin operating a 767-300BDSF (25202) for Samsung SDS/Cello, the logistics arm of the Korean conglomerate [FATs 004351 – 4352]. The aircraft is the first of two 767 freighters Air Incheon is leasing from ATSG West Leasing (a subsidiary of Air Transport Services Group). The second unit is expected to follow in August, and it too will go into operation for Samsung. Cargo Facts believes that, should this operation prove to be a success, Samsung SDS, like e-commerce giant Amazon and several freight forwarders, could choose to pursue additional own-controlled freighter capacity. For more on that subject, read our thoughts on whether Samsung Air could become the next Amazon Air.

FedEx took delivery of a 767-300F (63097) from Boeing [FAT 004358]. FedEx now operates fifty-five 767-300Fs and has fifty-nine more on order with Boeing.

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings (AAWW) took redelivery of a 767-300BDSF (24318, ex-EuroAtlantic Airways) following conversion to freighter configuration by Bedek Aviation Group. Through its Titan Aviation Leasing subsidiary, AAWW will lease the freighter to Amazon, which will hand it back for operation on a CMI basis by Atlas Air [FATs 004359 – 4361].

Two more 757 freighters for SF Express.

• ST Aero is about to redeliver a 757-200F (27807, ex-American Airlines) to SF Airlines, the air arm of China-based SF Express [FAT 004346].

• SF Airlines acquired a 757-200 (27201, ex-American Airlines) and is having it converted to freighter configuration by Precision Aircraft Solutions at the AMECO facility in Chengdu (CTU) [FATs 004347 – 4348].

A 737-800BCF for Air Algérie. The Algerian carrier ferried a 737-800 (30202, from its own fleet) to Jinan (TNA) where it was inducted by Boeing at the STAECO facility for conversion to BCF configuration [FAT 004349]. This is the first of two 737-800 P-to-F conversions Air Algerie ordered from Boeing.

Indonesia-based all-cargo carrier Cardig Air acquired a 737-400F (25180, ex-Sriwijaya Air) on lease from Vallair [FAT 004362]. The aircraft was converted to freighter configuration in early 2017 by Aeronautical Engineers, Inc.

US-based Kalitta Charters II acquired a 737-400 (25407) from Automatic LLC, and will have the aircraft converted to freighter configuration by Aeronautical Engineers, Inc [FATs 004363 – 4364]. Kalitta Charters’ fleet currently includes six 727-200Fs, four 737-400Fs (plus the one in conversion), one 737-300F, and three DC-9Fs.

Mexico-based Aeronaves TSM acquired an MD-82F (53217) from Sri Lanka-based FITS Aviation [FAT 004350]. The acquisition brings TSM’s MD-82F/-83F fleet to eight units, with seven more in or awaiting conversion. The carrier also operates six DC-9Fs and has three CRJ200s in or awaiting conversion. For its part, with the sale of this freighter, FITS has exited the main-deck cargo business.

Interested in learning more about the future of the worldwide freighter fleet? Then join us at Cargo Facts Asia 2018, where our sister company Cargo Facts Consulting 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