AirBridgeCargo names Liège Airport as new European hub

Three months after Volga-Dnepr Group signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a new cargo hub at Liège Airport (LGG), the group’s Russian subsidiary, AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC), signed a 10-year lease at LGG to increase air cargo volumes to and from the airport and foster greater cooperation between the two parties. The airport said […]

• Randy Woods
• October 10, 2018

Asian freighter fleet analysis part II: Fleets chart long-distance courses

Last week, in Part I of our two-part analysis of the freighter fleet in service with carriers based in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, we began with an overview of the freighter fleets operated by carriers based in Taiwan and Hong Kong. Today, we continue with an analysis of the freighter fleet based in mainland […]

• Charles Kauffman
• October 9, 2018

Uni-Top Airlines adds sixth A300-600F

Yesterday, Uni-Top Airlines took redelivery of its sixth passenger-to-freighter converted A300-600F (741, ex-China Eastern), after its conversion at the EFW facility in Dresden. The aircraft is now headed to the Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Co, Ltd (GAMECO) facility for painting before it enters operations. The China-based carrier announced plans to add converted A300Fs into its […]

• Caryn Livingston
• October 8, 2018

ATSG adds 777 platform through Omni Air acquisition

Ohio-based Air Transport Services Group, Inc (ATSG) is acquiring Oklahoma-based Omni Air in a deal that will add thirteen additional aircraft to ATSG’s fleet, including the first three 777 aircraft in the aircraft leasing specialist’s portfolio. The cash price of the acquisition is listed at $845 million, and the deal is expected to close later […]

• Caryn Livingston
• October 2, 2018

What Would Happen if Emirates Took Over Etihad?

How are the mighty fallen! In March 2017, Etihad had just taken delivery of its fifth A330-200F, which joined five 777Fs. At the time, the airline served forty-two destinations with its fleet of ten shiny freighters, and former CEO James Hogan boasted that Etihad Cargo was well positioned to maximize opportunities, thanks largely to the […]

• Alan Hedge
• October 1, 2018

WDL Aviation plans launch of cargo operations in 4Q

Cologne-based WDL Aviation, an ACMI specialist owned by Zeitfracht Group, is set to begin freighter operations in November. WDL’s managing director told ch-aviation that it plans to use its freighters for ad-hoc cargo charters as well as long-term ACMI lease operations on behalf of other customers. Zeitfracht acquired the three ex-ASL Airlines Spain BAe 146-300QT […]

• Caryn Livingston
• September 28, 2018

Longhao launches first international cargo flights

Today, Guangzhou-based Longhao Airlines became the latest carrier in China to commence scheduled international freighter operations with the launch of three-times weekly 737-300F flights between Xi’an Xianyang Airport (XIA) in Central China and Hanoi Noi Bai Airport (HAN) in Vietnam. Longhao’s flight network is expanding as it prepares to put a fourth 737-300F into commercial […]

• Charles Kauffman
• September 27, 2018

Nippon Cargo Airlines resumes trans-Pacific route

Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA), which grounded all eleven units in its 747F fleet back in June, will resume trans-Pacific service this week with a route between Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) and Chicago’s O’Hare Airport (ORD) via Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC). NCA was forced to ground its fleet when inspectors from Japan’s Civil Aviation […]

• Caryn Livingston
• September 25, 2018

SF Express to ACMI-lease a 747-400F from Atlas to expedite launch of trans-Pacific ops

Beginning next month, Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings’ Atlas Air subsidiary will operate a 747-400F on an ACMI-basis for Shenzhen-based express carrier SF Express. Widebody 747F operations represent a monumental step for SF, which historically operated a fleet of narrowbody freighters in a domestic express network. In recent years, the carrier has deployed 767-300BCFs on international […]

• Charles Kauffman
• September 21, 2018

Cargo traffic bounces back in August first look

August results are in from some of the world’s big carriers, handlers, and airports, and after lackluster June and mixed July results, cargo growth looks to have rebounded during, particularly out of Asia. However, while more of the major carriers reported year-over-year growth during August compared to the past couple of months, growth rates are […]

• Caryn Livingston
• September 18, 2018