Active ACMI market supports carriers amid limited maindeck capacity

The ACMI market remains active as air cargo carriers continue to seek alternatives to increase lift. With the launch of new production and conversion freighter programs hindered by delays in spare parts, engine support and maintenance, ACMI service providers have been busy as carriers look to strengthen their fleets and meet lift demand. Widebody ACMI support One example is Turkish Airlines’ new long-term ACMI agreement with Atlas Air , which began operating a 747-400F (30767, ex-China Airlines) in May. [caption id="attachment_57290554" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Compass Air Cargo is flying three 747-400Fs in ACMI service for Emirates. (Photo/Cargo Facts)[/caption] Atlas Air, which provided ACMI service to Turkish in 2017, also supported Turkish in 2023 by providing widebody support to transport humanitarian aid for earthquake relief efforts, Atlas previously told Cargo Facts . Turkish also secured additional lift capacity through fellow Turkey-based ULS Airlines in May after ULS took delivery of its first A330-300P2F (356, ex-San Marino Executive Aviation) from CAM. The aircraft has flown to Asia, Europe and the Middle East. ULS will soon take delivery of a sistership (349) from CAM and will also use it in ACMI service for Turkish, the carrier previously told Cargo Facts . ACMI operations remained active in the Middle East, with Etihad using Western Global Airlines’ 1999-vintage, nose-loading 747-400F (29258) on high-demand routes. Western Global started flying for Etihad in June. Emirates expanded its agreement with Compass to add a third 747 freighter, which began flying in January for the United Arab Emirates-based airline. Meanwhile, in Africa, Kenya-based Astral Aviation started ACMI operations for Australia-based Aus Air Cargo nearly a month after receiving its 1988-vintage 767-300BDSF (24146, ex-Amerijet) on lease from Flight Lease. The Boeing medium-widebody freighter flew from Hong Kong (HKG) to Brisbane, Australia (BNE), on May 27. Uptick in narrowbody ACMI demand Demand for ACMI service in the narrowbody segment also grew among new entrants and existing carriers in the Middle East and Africa seeking to add capacity. ASL Aviation Holdings, for example, flew three 737-800BCFs (32686, 30879 and 34251) to support UAE-based startup SolitAir. ASL helped SolitAir launch operations by flying the 2005-vintage 737-800BCF (33023) in September 2024. The Ireland-based carrier recently dry-leased unit 33023 to SolitAir after the startup obtained its AOC. Slovakia-based AirExplore expanded its ACMI support to Africa when the Dublin-based Avia Solutions Group subsidiary began operating its 2004-vintage 737-800BCF (33805, ex-Ryanair) on behalf of Air Ghana earlier this month. And Kenya-based Freedom Airlines will soon enter the narrowbody freighter market after reaching an ACMI deal with Egypt-based Sky Vision Airlines . Freedom still plans to work with a 737-800F ACMI operator , Freedom Airlines previously told Cargo Facts . In addition, Africa Charter Airline recently extended its existing ACMI arrangement with BidAir Cargo by dedicating a second 737-400F (24446, ex-ASL Airlines) to the South African freight forwarder. The 1994-vintage 737 Classic was displayed in BidAir Cargo’s livery at Aero South Africa 2025 in June. Meanwhile, GlobalX, the only A321F operator in the United States, started operating for DHL in April , while Kalitta Charters II renewed its ACMI agreement with Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based IBC Airways on April 15, flying its 1992-vintage 737-300BDSF (26070, ex-Star Air) from Miami (MIA) to Havana (HAV). Cargo Facts Symposium, the quintessential event for stakeholders and key leaders in the global freighter and air cargo industries, will take place Oct. 22-24 at the Grand Hyatt in Nashville . Learn more and register today to take advantage of the early-bird rate.

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