ATSG expands ACMI flying for DHL

• Jeff Lee
• July 6, 2020
• Aircraft, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Editorial, Express, News, Strategy, Widebody Conversions

Air Transport Services Group (ATSG) has expanded its ACMI support of DHL Express’ network by deploying a 767 in the Asia-Pacific region and another on the transatlantic lane. In mid-June, a 767-300BDSF (25447) operated by ATSG subsidiary Air Transport International (ATI) made its way from Wilmington (ILN) to Hong Kong (HKG), via Honolulu (HNL) and […]

Asiana ponders freighter fleet renewal

• Jeff Lee
• July 2, 2020
• Aircraft, Carriers, Editorial, Equipment, News, Production Freighters, Strategy, Widebody Conversions

Amid an ongoing deal to be acquired by a consortium led by HDC Group, South Korea-based Asiana Airlines is looking toward the renewal of its freighter fleet, currently consisting of seven 747-400BDSFs, four 747-400Fs and one 767-300F, along with a parked 747-400BDSF. Asiana Cargo told Cargo Facts it is considering upgrading its fleet with 777Fs […]

Northern Air Cargo adds third 737-400F

• Jeff Lee
• June 30, 2020
• Aircraft, Carriers, Conversions, Editorial, Equipment, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, Logistics, Narrowbody Conversions, News, Strategy, Widebody Conversions

Alaska-based Northern Air Cargo has purchased a 737-400F (25267) [FAT 005363]. The carrier told Cargo Facts it expects to deploy it in service this week. Unit 25267 was previously in service with U.K.-based West Atlantic. After being withdrawn at the end of February, it was ferried from East Midlands (EMA) to Tampa (TPA) in early […]

CFC: Amazon’s shipping costs are growing faster than revenue

• Frederic Horst
• June 30, 2020
• Aircraft, Cargo Facts Consulting, Carriers, Conversions, Editorial, Equipment, Express, News, Widebody Conversions

Amazon’s shipping costs grew by 37% year-over-year in 2019 compared with revenue growth of 21% and 13% in North America and Europe. This trend has continued in 2020. Other key findings include: In the United States, the e-tailer’s dedicated air network has grown from twenty-three to thirty-two active cities, with more stations expected to come […]

Egyptair Cargo plans narrowbody freighter expansion

• Jeff Lee
• June 29, 2020
• Aircraft, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Conversions, Editorial, Equipment, Narrowbody Conversions, News, Strategy, Widebody Conversions

EgyptAir Cargo is looking to enter the narrowbody space with the addition of two 737-800BCFs. The carrier currently has three freighter-converted A330-200Fs. EgyptAir Cargo told Cargo Facts it is in the process of completing the required studies and securing the conversion slots. It plans to add the two aircraft in 2021, allowing it to extend […]

Emirates to operate 10 reconfigured 777-300ERs

• Jeff Lee
• June 25, 2020
• Aircraft, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Equipment, News, Production Freighters, Strategy, Widebody Conversions

Emirates has begun operating reconfigured 777-300ERs with seats removed to create additional cargo capacity. The airline has already modified seven aircraft, with three more to follow by mid-July. These reconfigured 777s, called “mini freighters” by Emirates SkyCargo, add to the carrier’s substantial fleet of passenger freighters — 777-300ERs that have their passenger cabins intact — […]

DHL to add three 767Fs with IAI conversion order

• Jeff Lee
• June 23, 2020
• Aircraft, Carriers, Editorial, Equipment, Express, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, Logistics, News, Strategy, Widebody Conversions

DHL Express will grow its owned fleet with three more 767-300Fs, under a new conversion deal with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), and also has the option to convert another 767 with IAI [FATs 005471-005473]. IAI told Cargo Facts the aircraft will be converted at the Mexicana MRO Services facility in Mexico City (MEX), and expects the […]

EASA rules out temp combis, but there might be a middle ground

• Charles Kauffman and Jeff Lee
• June 18, 2020
• Aircraft, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Conversions, Equipment, Logistics, Narrowbody Conversions, News, Strategy, Widebody Conversions

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is ruling out the reconfiguration of passenger aircraft into makeshift combis that have separate maindeck sections dedicated to passenger and cargo transport. “Temporary combis” are not not going to fly — at least not in EASA-regulated regions, but that doesn’t quite make it impossible to carry both cargo […]