Operator mix expands with growth of own-controlled networks

• Charles Kauffman and Jeff Lee
• May 29, 2020
• Aircraft, All Posts, Carriers, Conversions, Editorial, Equipment, Narrowbody Conversions, News

The number of carriers operating on a CMI-basis on behalf of e-commerce and/or express companies in the United States grew by two in the first half of the year, with Phoenix-headquartered iAero Airways and Minneapolis-based Sun Country Airlines becoming the second and third U.S.-based 737-800Fs operators, respectively. In early May, DHL added iAero as a new […]

Georgian startup to launch with first freighter

• Jeff Lee
• May 28, 2020
• Aircraft, Carriers, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, News, Production Freighters, Strategy, Widebody Conversions

Georgia-based Easycharter plans to launch operations with its first freighter in June. The startup carrier took redelivery of an A300B4-200F (210, ex-AeroUnion) in February [FAT 005435] and confirmed to Cargo Facts that it owns the aircraft, which carried out a short test flight for crew familiarization and training purposes May 25. The aircraft, which is […]

EFW boosts gross weight with 777 redelivery

• Charles Kauffman and Jeff Lee
• May 27, 2020
• Aircraft, Carriers, Conversions, Equipment, Express, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, Logistics, News, Widebody Conversions

Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) has completed the conversion of its fourth A330-300F (MSN 777, ex-China Eastern Airlines) and redelivered the aircraft to DHL Express [FAT 005434]. This is the first high-gross-weight conversion and delivers an upward revision to the maximum gross payload for the A330-300P2F. EFW previously listed the maximum gross payload for the A330-300 at […]

Air Astana may add 767Fs with new cargo division

• Jeff Lee
• May 26, 2020
• Aircraft, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, News, Widebody Conversions

Kazakhstan-based Air Astana has set up its own dedicated air cargo division and could become a freighter operator with converted 767-300Fs. According to the carrier, the decision was prompted by the recent boost in regional demand and a review of the strategy for the fleet after the COVID-19 crisis. While Air Astana had already been […]

SF Airlines continues fleet growth

• Jeff Lee
• May 22, 2020
• Aircraft, Carriers, Conversions, Editorial, Express, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, Narrowbody Conversions, News, Strategy, Widebody Conversions

Chinese express carrier SF Airlines plans to add at least five more aircraft to its fleet by the end of 2020. The carrier confirmed to Cargo Facts the additions include three 757-200PCFs (29943, 33101 and 33100, all ex-TUI Airways), to be converted by Precision Aircraft Solutions, and two 767-300BCFs (26329, ex-LATAM, and 30847, ex-Titan Airways), […]

Cardig Air relaunches with 737-400F

• Charles Kauffman and Jeff Lee
• May 22, 2020
• Aircraft, Carriers, Editorial, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, Narrowbody Conversions, News, Strategy

Indonesia-based Cardig Air has relaunched operations after a couple of years of stagnation. The carrier recently acquired a 737-400F (25857, ex-British Airways) from Aero Acquisitions and began flying it May 18 [FAT 005420]. According to Indonesian ground handler JAS Airport Services, Cardig Air is flying the aircraft between Jakarta Halim Perdanakusuma Airport (HLP) and Pekanbaru […]

Avianor and AKKA partner on passenger-freighter conversions

• Jeff Lee
• May 21, 2020
• Aircraft, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Conversions, Editorial, Equipment, Narrowbody Conversions, News, Strategy, Widebody Conversions

Montreal-based Avianor has partnered with Brussels-headquartered AKKA Technologies to have its passenger-freighter reconfiguration package approved and certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). AKKA has also been granted rights to use the solution. Matthieu Duhaime, president and COO of Avianor, told Cargo Facts EASA approval is expected in six to eight weeks. While […]

Astral Aviation looks to 767 platform for growth

• Charles Kauffman
• May 21, 2020
• Aircraft, Carriers, Editorial, Equipment, News, Production Freighters, Widebody Conversions

Kenya-based Astral Aviation plans to add to its fleet two freighter-converted 767Fs, Cargo Facts has learned. The medium-widebody freighters will soon complement the carrier’s existing large widebody fleet, and are expected to open up new routes in support of the region’s perishables exports. Astral expects to take a 767-200F within a matter of months, and […]