In shuttering 747 program, Boeing shuns consortium’s proposal, Cargo Facts learns

• Charles Kauffman and Jeff Lee
• July 6, 2020
• Aircraft, All Posts, Equipment, News, Production Freighters, Widebody Conversions

Not only is Boeing abandoning the 747 platform, continuing its trend in recent years of turning away customers seeking to purchase the iconic widebody, the aerospace giant has also declined an offer to acquire the program, Cargo Facts has learned. Efforts to save the 747-8 have failed, requiring the air cargo industry to face the […]

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 […]

Despite near-term air cargo bump, FedEx rejigs aircraft deliveries

• Charles Kauffman
• July 1, 2020
• Aircraft, All Posts, Carriers, E-Commerce, Earnings, Editorial, Equipment, Logistics, Production Freighters

The COVID-19 pandemic kicked FedEx’s flight operations into high gear during the fourth quarter of its fiscal year 2020, ended May 31. The favorable demand that surfaced following passenger flight cancellations enabled FedEx to make up for lost ground in Q4 with additional flight segments and a surge in charter activity. While capacity cuts and […]

Aviastar-Tu to add Cainiao-branded 757F

• Jeff Lee
• July 1, 2020
• Aircraft, Carriers, Editorial, Equipment, Express, Logistics, Narrowbody Conversions, News, Strategy

Russia-based Aviastar-Tu could soon be adding its fourth 757-200F, but this one, unlike the other three, is painted in the colors of Cainiao, Alibaba’s logistics arm. The 757-200PCF was seen conducting ground tests in Goodyear (GYR) and posted to social media in late June. Cargo Facts believes the aircraft is unit 27051 (ex-American Airlines), which was […]

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 […]

A 777F for Turkmenistan?

• Charles Kauffman
• June 29, 2020
• All Posts, Editorial, Equipment, News, Production Freighters

Turkmenistan Airlines is looking to add a 777F to its fleet. Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has approved the state-owned carrier’s purchase of the freighter, according to a government briefing [FAT 005487]. Local sources report the involvement of Lufthansa Consulting and suggest that lessor Aircraft Finance Germany (AFG) will be facilitating the transaction. AFG, for its […]