Recent freighter aircraft transactions

The last week has seen several freighter aircraft bought, sold, leased, or transferred; and some future transactions have been announced.

LAN Cargo plans to transfer two more 767-300Fs into the fleet of Brazil-based subsidiary carrier ABSA Cargo. The first (32572) is currently in the LAN Cargo fleet, but will be re-registered as PR-ACO. The second (35816) is currently leased to US-based Florida West International Airlines, and will be re-registered as PR-ADZ when it comes off lease.

Israel-based CAL Cargo Air Lines announced its intention to add two 747 freighters to its fleet. CAL said it would dry-lease a 747-400F beginning in September, and acquire a 747-400ERF with entry into service scheduled for November. CAL did not provide any information regarding the source of either freighter, nor did it indicate whether it would keep its two 747-200Fs when the -400Fs joined the fleet.

According to a report from ch-aviation, US-based startup Western Global Airlines is about add a second MD-11F (48415, ex Shanghai Airlines). The new freighter, to be registered as N415JN, will join Western Global’s other MD-11F in storage at Mojave (MHV) awaiting the start of operations.

FedEx took redelivery of a 757-200F (24995, ex-United Airlines) following conversion by ST Aero. This is FedEx’s ninetieth 757-200F (five of which are operated in Canada by Morningstar Air Express on FedEx’s behalf).

Mexico-based Aeronaves TSM took redelivery of an MD-83F (49663, ex-American Airlines) following conversion by Aeronautical Engineers Inc. Aeronaves TSM now operates one MD-82F, one MD-83F, and five DC-9-30Fs. It has two more MD-82 P-to-F conversions on order with AEI.

Kenya-based Blue Bird Aviation took redelivery of a Bombardier Q400PF (4009, ex-SAS) following conversion at the Cascade Aerospace facility in Abbotsford, Canada (YXX). This is Blue Bird’s fifth Q400PF.

TNT Airways is reported to have retired a BAe 146-200QT (2112). The freighter has been ferried to Iceland’s Keflavik Airport (KEF), where, according to a report by skyliner-aviation.de it was delivered to Tronos. No announcement regarding the aircraft’s future has been made, but Tronos specializes in modifying and leasing BAe 146 aircraft. It has its own conversion facility at  Summerside Airport (YSU) in Prince Edward Island, Canada, and has converted BAe 146s to both firefighting and VIP configuration.