Western Global Airlines asks DOT to remove fleet size cap

Western Global Airlines, which operates MD-11 and 747 freighter aircraft, is requesting that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) remove the current limit on the airline’s fleet size. [caption id="attachment_65602" align="alignright" width="450"] A Western Global 747-400F. Photo/WGA[/caption] The fleet cap was put in place under Western Global’s original certificate authority for domestic and foreign all-cargo operations issued in 2014, according to an application from the airline to the DOT today. Initially, the fleet was restricted to four aircraft, and after three increases in seven years, now stands at 19 aircraft. “Given that Western Global has been operating very successfully for seven years and meets or exceeds all fitness criteria, the company respectfully submits that a condition limiting its fleet size is no longer necessary,” Western Global said in its filing. “Removal of the condition will help facilitate Western Global’s continued orderly growth and ease the Department’s and Western Global’s administrative burdens.” Western Global operated 12 MD-11Fs and three 747Fs in 2020 and took in about $375.5 million in operating revenue, according to the filing. Western Global has nine additional aircraft — three the airline said are “used solely as sources of spare parts and are not flyable,” and another six the carrier plans to begin operating once they complete FAA conformity checks. Three of the aircraft are MD-11Fs that Western Global recently acquired from Lufthansa Cargo , according to our sister publication Cargo Facts . “Western Global expects to continue growing its business and its fleet in 2021 and subsequently,” the company said in its filing.

Western Global Airlines asks DOT to remove fleet size cap

Current fleet restricted to 19 aircraft

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