Walmart steers clear of freighters with store-to-shopper model

• Cargo Facts Staff
• October 29, 2020
• Aircraft, Capacity & Demand, E-Commerce, Editorial, Express, Logistics, News, Strategy

Walmart has retreated from discussions to expand its air logistics operations with dedicated freighters, at least for now. Walmart told Cargo Facts that it has considered various “transportation solutions” recently, but confirmed that an own-controlled network is not currently in the works. “We are continually evaluating transportation solutions to help meet our customers’ shopping needs,” […]

Kalitta to modernize 747 fleet as 777-300ERSF launch operator

• Charles Kauffman and Jeff Lee
• October 27, 2020
• Aircraft, Cargo Facts Symposium, Carriers, Conversions, Events, Express, News, Strategy, Widebody Conversions

Kalitta Air has emerged as the launch operator for the freighter-converted 777-300ERSF and will lease three of the type from GECAS [FATs 005691-5693]. Kalitta told Cargo Facts the 777-300ERSFs will initially be used for growth, but in the long term will serve as replacements for the carrier’s older converted 747-400Fs. Kalitta Air has been evaluating […]

CFS: EFW upgrades max weight on A321-200P2F following service entry

• Charles Kauffman and Jeff Lee
• October 27, 2020
• Aircraft, Cargo Facts Symposium, Carriers, Conversions, Editorial, Equipment, Logistics, Narrowbody Conversions, News, Strategy

Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) has upped the gross payload of its A321P2F conversion program, just as the first aircraft enters into service. The company has achieved weight savings of over a tonne, enabling an upgrade in gross payload to 28 tonnes (62,000 lbs), Wolfgang Schmid, vice president of sales and marketing for Airbus freighter conversions at […]

Morningstar set to expand FedEx ATR flying

• Jeff Lee
• October 26, 2020
• Aircraft, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Conversions, Editorial, Equipment, Express, Logistics, Narrowbody Conversions, News, Strategy

Morningstar Air Express will soon expand its regional CMI flying for FedEx Express with at least two additional ATR 72-200Fs. The two aircraft (224 and 229) had previously been operated by ASL Airlines Ireland in Europe. Unit 224 arrived at Morningstar’s Edmonton (YEG) base on Oct. 6, and was reregistered in Canada to Morningstar Oct. […]

Texel prepares to grow 737-700FC fleet

• Charles Kauffman and Jeff Lee
• October 26, 2020
• Aircraft, Carriers, Conversions, Editorial, Equipment, Logistics, Narrowbody Conversions, News, Strategy

Bahrain-based Chisholm Enterprises has acquired a second 737-700 to be converted into a FlexCombi for its Texel Air subsidiary. Texel Air told Cargo Facts the aircraft (34170, ex-Transavia), currently in Amsterdam (AMS), is scheduled for induction at PEMCO’s Tampa (TPA) facility in November. As the second 737-700 to enter conversion with PEMCO, the redelivery schedule is greatly […]

Olympus prepares to double 757F fleet

• Jeff Lee
• October 22, 2020
• Aircraft, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Conversions, Editorial, Equipment, Logistics, Narrowbody Conversions, News, Strategy

Olympus Airways will soon add two more freighters to its fleet. The Greek carrier told Cargo Facts it expects to introduce its third and fourth 757-200PCFs by the end of November, both leased from New Zealand-based Airwork. Cargo Facts believes the two aircraft are units 27056 and 27054 (both ex-American Airlines); the former has been […]

KLM 747 Combis slip off schedule and (back) into retirement

• Charles Kauffman
• October 21, 2020
• Aircraft, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Conversions, Editorial, Equipment, News, Strategy, Widebody Conversions

Three KLM-operated 747-400 Combis — the final three in commercial services — will disappear from cargo schedules with the start of the winter season Oct. 25. Retirement will follow for the widebody trio, KLM Cargo confirmed. Though the aircraft will no longer be hauling cargo for KLM, the airframes will continue to support the air […]

Amazon Air goes international with Leipzig hub

• Charles Kauffman and Jeff Lee
• October 21, 2020
• Aircraft, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Editorial, Equipment, Express, Logistics, Narrowbody Conversions, News, Strategy

Amazon has begun handling its own flights at its newly launched hub in Leipzig (LEJ), a move that mirrors the Amazon Air network in the United States. While Amazon has long had carriers flying intra-Europe on its behalf, the e-commerce giant now has its own ground team and facility to support an own-controlled network. The […]