9 carriers fly 1st widebody freighters in 2024

Many operators introduced the first widebody freighters to their fleets in 2024. Existing and startup carriers contributed to the expansion of widebody freighters globally as they took on new types to support demand. Here are the nine carriers that entered the widebody segment in 2024 using Airbus and Boeing freighters, listed in alphabetical order. 1. Camex Airlines [caption id="attachment_57147914" align="alignright" width="380"] Camex Airlines launched operations using a 737-800F. (Courtesy/ATSG)[/caption] Georgia-based Camex Airlines, which received its AOC in 2022, expanded into widebody operations when it leased its first 767-300BDSF from CAM in November. Another unit will follow in 2025, according to CAM. The carrier launched operations with a 737-800BCF (33549, ex-Ryanair) on lease from BBAM in 2022 and leased a 737-800SF (33800, ex-Virgin Australia) from World Star Aviation in 2023. 2. Capital Airlines [caption id="attachment_57147917" align="alignright" width="380"] Capital Airlines now operates freighter flights from China to Europe. (Courtesy/Liege Airport)[/caption] The HNA Aviation Group subsidiary became a freighter operator in early 2024 when it put into service a 2008-vintage A330-300P2F (908, ex-SmartLynx) belonging to CDB Aviation. The airline then doubled its Airbus widebody freighter fleet in June when it started flying a 2006-vintage A330-200P2F (785, ex-Air China). 3. Euroavia Airlines The Cyprus-based carrier became the country’s only freighter operator after receiving AOC approval from Cyprus’ Department of Civil Aviation in November. Euroavia received a certificate of airworthiness for a 1992-vintage 767-300BDSF (26991, ex-Condor) on Oct. 16. The carrier subleased that aircraft from Uniondale, N.Y.-based charter and ACMI brokerage firm SLG Worldwide, which leased it from CAM in August. 4. FlyCAA The Democratic Republic of Congo-based carrier contributed to the expansion of dedicated freighter service in the country when it acquired a 767-200BDSF (23141, ex-ABX Air) in 2024. The 1985-vintage unit freighter left the United States and arrived in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (FIH), in July. Unit 23141 was one of twelve 767-200BDSFs Amazon returned off lease to CAM. 5. FlyKhiva [caption id="attachment_57147915" align="alignright" width="380"] FlyKhiva is one of several 767 operators in Uzbekistan. (Courtesy/AAT)[/caption] The new Uzbekistan-based carrier became the third operator in the country to provide Boeing freighter capacity after obtaining its AOC in February. The company has leased a 1999-vintage 767-300BCF (28883, ex-TUI Airways) from Icelandair and began operating it in March. FlyKhiva has told Cargo Facts that it intends to expand its freighter fleet. 6. Gewan Airways Gewan Airways is a new airline subsidiary of United Arab Emirates-based conglomerate Gewan Holding. In October, it began flying a 1981-vintage A300B4-200F (141) that was previously in the fleet of Kyrgyzstan-based Aerostan. 7. K-Mile Asia [caption id="attachment_57147916" align="alignright" width="380"] The two 767s are on lease from SF Airlines. (Courtesy/K-Mile)[/caption] The Thailand-based airline has long been a 737 freighter operator but in 2024 moved into the medium-widebody segment to become the country’s only widebody freighter operator. K-Mile has leased two 2002-vintage 767-300BCFs (33421 and 33422) from China’s SF Airlines. These are the first 767 freighters to be registered in Thailand. 8. MSC Air [caption id="attachment_57147913" align="alignright" width="380"] MSC Air operates the only 777F registered in Italy. (Courtesy/MSC)[/caption] MSC Air Cargo, the air cargo division of Mediterranean Shipping Company, completed the launch of its own carrier in 2024 after acquiring Italy-based AlisCargo Airlines and renaming it MSC Air. In May, MSC took delivery of a new 777F (68230), its first freighter and the first 777F to be registered in Italy. MSC Air operates unit 68230 in conjunction with four other Atlas Air-owned 777Fs providing ACMI service for the Switzerland-based shipping group. 9. SpaceBee Airlines SpaceBee, another startup, followed fellow Uzbekistani carrier FlyKhiva to become the fourth 767 freighter operator in the country after taking delivery of a 1984-vintage 767-200BDSF (23021, ex-ABX Air). The aircraft was previously in operation with Poland-based SkyTaxi, which returned it to CAM. Cargo Facts believes SpaceBee intends to add more 767-200BDSFs in 2025. Register now for Cargo Facts' essential regional events for industry stakeholders: Cargo Facts LATAM 2025 on Feb. 10-11 at the Pullman Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport in Brazil; Cargo Facts Asia 2025 on March 24-26 at the W Shanghai in China; and Cargo Facts EMEA 2025 on May 6-8 at the Shangri-La Bosphorus in Turkey.

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