Vallair expanding engine portfolio to support narrowbody freighter conversions [VIDEO]

• Charles Kauffman
• October 21, 2019
• Aircraft, Cargo Facts Symposium, Conversions, Narrowbody Conversions, News, Sponsored, Video

Luxembourg-based Vallair, which signed on as the launch customer for A321 passenger-to-freighter conversion programs with both EFW and 321 Precision Conversions, is set to begin placing freighter-converted A321s with Qantas Freight and other carriers next year. Although sourcing suitable engines for 737 NG and A320-family narrowbody aircraft remains a challenge, the leasing and trading company […]

Emirates International Air Cargo emerges from legal limbo, prepares to launch with 737-400F

• Jeff Lee
• October 15, 2019
• Aircraft, Carriers, Conversions, Exclusive, Narrowbody Conversions, Strategy

A new cargo carrier could soon be launching freighter operations in the Middle East. Abu Dhabi-based startup Emirates International Air Cargo (EIAC) appears to have taken redelivery of its first freighter-converted 737-400F (28151, ex-Qantas), after a legal dispute between EIAC and Connecticut-based Aero Acquisitions prevented the aircraft from being redelivered for several years. Unit 28151, […]

Zimex expands turboprop freighter fleet with ATR 42Fs

• Jeff Lee
• October 14, 2019
• Aircraft, Carriers, Conversions, Express, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, Narrowbody Conversions, News, Strategy

Switzerland-based Zimex Aviation has in the past few months steadily ramped up its fleet with the addition of three ATR 42 freighters. The carrier had previously only operated ATR 72Fs. Zimex confirmed to Cargo Facts that it now has a total of seven converted ATR freighters – three ATR 42Fs and four ATR 72Fs, all […]

Lufthansa Cargo preparing to retire another MD-11F?

• Jeff Lee
• October 11, 2019
• Aircraft, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Production Freighters, Strategy

Another MD-11F belonging to Germany-based Lufthansa Cargo appears to be being prepared for retirement. The aircraft (48805) would the second of two MD-11Fs the carrier had planned to remove from its fleet by the end of the year, after unit 48785 was ferried to Victorville (VCV) in August 2019. Unit 48805 has not flown since […]

Boeing reduces support for third-party freighter conversions

• Charles Kauffman
• October 11, 2019
• Aircraft, Conversions, Exclusive, Narrowbody Conversions, News, Widebody Conversions

Boeing this week told customers that it may be unable to provide FAA approval for structural repairs on aircraft modified by non-Boeing entities. The position could dramatically limit OEM support for freighter conversion programs developed by the many conversion houses that modify Boeing aircraft. A multi-operator message (MOM) dispatched on Oct. 7 and seen by Cargo […]

Ex-ANA Cargo 767-300BCF bound for UPS fleet

• Charles Kauffman
• October 10, 2019
• Aircraft, Conversions, Equipment, News, Widebody Conversions

A 767-300BCF (25136) Cargo Aircraft Management (CAM) agreed to acquire from ANA Cargo earlier this year will soon be dry-leased to UPS. The aircraft currently carries a CAM registration (N327CM) but is in the process of being re-registered as N394UP, according to an update in the FAA registry. This is the third of four CAM-owned […]

Kalitta to operate DHL’s next 767

• Jeff Lee
• October 10, 2019
• Aircraft, Conversions, Exclusive, News, Strategy, Widebody Conversions

DHL Express will hand over its next 767 to Kalitta Air to be operated on a CMI basis, the German express integrator has confirmed to Cargo Facts. The aircraft, a 767-300BDSF (27686, ex-Royal Air Maroc) which appears to have completed the conversion process, is expected to be redelivered and put into operation within the next […]

Malaysia Airlines to keep three A330Fs – for now

• Jeff Lee
• October 9, 2019
• Aircraft, Carriers, News, Production Freighters, Strategy

Malaysia Airlines is happy with the size of its freighter fleet for now and will instead focus more on strategic collaboration to achieve growth, the carrier tells Cargo Facts. But the airline says that, while there are no immediate plans to alter the cargo fleet, it is keeping its options open and may even decide […]