Widebody wind down seen in February freighter aircraft transactions

For the first time since 2015, there was a net reduction to large widebody capacity for the month of February 2020. Five large widebody freighters were removed as CargologicAir, FedEx and Lufthansa Cargo parked or retired freighters. During the same period, just four large widebody freighters were added to the fleets of DHL Express, Cargolux and UPS. The majority of the send-offs were part of fleet-modernization plans. Lufthansa retired another MD-11F following last month’s redelivery of a 777F. FedEx too, is replacing MD-11Fs as it takes delivery of 777Fs from Boeing. CargoLogicAir is the exception, which temporarily suspended its AOC in February. Still, large widebody freighters are not being sent to the desert en-masse. Many of the retired units have already been snapped up by other carriers. Cargolux jumped on CargoLogicAir’s 747-400F (35170), and UPS took two MD-11Fs previously parked by Lufthansa. While disruptions related to COVID-19 lockdowns hampered air cargo traffic demand in February 2020. If the sluggish demand persists, retirements could accelerate. As of the week of March 11, there are promising signs of a market pickup ex-China as coronavirus-related lockdowns ease. Each reference to a freighter aircraft transaction (FAT) in Cargo Facts contains a unique FAT code linked to our FAT database. This database is available to subscribers as an interactive tool on our website at cargofacts.com/freighter-aircraft-transactions/ Here’s a complete list of Freighter Aircraft Transactions recorded in March: U.K.-based CargoLogicAir removed from service a 747-400F ( 35170) and a 747-8F (60119) [FATs 005314-5315]. The aircraft are being parked this year as part of a capacity-reduction plan announced in 2019. The 747-8F appears to be in the process of being transferred to Russia-based AirBridgeCargo’s AOC. Cargolux subsequently acquired unit 35170 from CargoLogicAir [FAT 005335]. DHL Express took delivery of a 777F (66083) and handed it over to U.S.- based Kalitta Air to be operated on a CMI basis [FATs 005329-005330]. The aircraft was ferried from Paine Field (PAE) to Oscoda (OSC) on Feb. 6 and then to Cincinnati (CVG) on Feb. 20. UPS purchased two MD-11Fs (48805 and 48806, both ex-Lufthansa Cargo) from Boeing [FATs 005307 and 005309]. The two aircraft will enter service after some modification work. Lufthansa Cargo withdrew another MD-11F (48802) from service and ferried it to VCV to be parked [FAT 005326]. FedEx Express removed from its fleet two MD-11Fs (48547 and 48458) and sent them to Victorville (VCV) to be stored [FATs 005321-005322]. FedEx also retired an MD 10-10F (46606) and ferried it to Victorville (VCV) for storage [FAT 005333]. Meanwhile, FedEx took delivery of a 767-300F (63114) from Boeing [FAT 005327]. This is Boeing’s first 767 delivery at the increased production rate of three units per month. Cargo Aircraft Management (CAM) ferried a 767-300 (25450, ex-American Airlines) from Wilmington (ILN) to Shannon (SNN) . The aircraft will shortly also be flown to TLV ahead of conversion by IAI. [FAT 005316]. UPS took delivery of a 767-300F (66241) from Boeing [FAT 005332]. The aircraft was ferried from Paine Field (PAE) to San Antonio (SAT). CargoJet ferried a 767-300 (24083, ex-Air Canada) to Tel Aviv (TLV), ahead of conversion into freighter conversion by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) [FAT 005334]. FedEx withdrew two A300-600Fs (555 and 581) from service and ferried them to Victorville (VCV) for storage [FATs 005317 and 005318]. FedEx also removed a 757 200 (23924) from service and ferried to VCV for storage [FAT 005331]. Qantas signed a letter of intent with Keystone Holdings for one A321P2F [FAT 005328]. The aircraft (1408) is currently in passenger service with Qantas’ low-cost subsidiary Jetstar. Sine Draco Aviation Technology acquired its first A321-200 (963, ex-AtlasGlobal) [FAT 005332]. The airframe, purchased from AerCap, will become the conformity aircraft for Sine Draco’s in-development A321-200SDF passenger-to-freighter conversion program. BBAM ordered three 737-800BCF conversions from Boeing [FATs 005323-005325]. New Zealand-based Airwork acquired a 737-400 (28702, ex-Blue Air) and will have it converted to freighter configuration by AEI [FAT 005310-5311]. The aircraft is slated for induction at the Commercial Jet facility in Miami in February, and will be AEI’s twelfth 737-400SF conversion for Airwork. ASL Airlines Ireland took redelivery of a 737 400SF (29204, ex-Yamal Airlines), on lease from Royal Aero GmbH [FAT 005319]. Mexico-based Aeronaves TSM ordered two additional MD-83 conversions from AEI [FATs 005312-5313]. The first aircraft (49945, ex-Ameristar) will be inducted for conversion at the Commercial Jet facility in Miami (MIA) in March 2020. This story first appeared in the March issue of Cargo Facts .

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