First UPS A300F with upgraded avionics starts flight tests with Airbus

• Jeff Lee
• October 2, 2019
• Aircraft, Carriers, News, Strategy

The first UPS A300-600F (868) to receive modernized cockpit avionics from Airbus has started flight tests with the manufacturer. After having operated several test flights around Toulouse (TLS) since Sept. 12, 2019, Airbus took the aircraft on a test flight away from mainland France for the first time today, operating a round trip between TLS […]

AEI redelivers first conversion of 4Q, an MD-83SF to TSM

• Charles Kauffman
• October 2, 2019
• Aircraft, Conversions, Equipment, Narrowbody Conversions, News

On Tuesday, AEI redelivered an MD-83SF (53122) to Mexico-based Aeronaves TSM [FAT 005157]. The aircraft was the first freighter-converted aircraft to be redelivered in 4Q19. 53122 completed conversion at Commercial Jet’s Miami facility on Sept. 25, and upon joining TSM’s fleet, becomes the carrier’s eleventh freighter-converted MD-80F. TSM has at least one more MD-83 that […]

Boeing delivers a trio of 777Fs in a single day, buoying 3Q deliveries

• Charles Kauffman
• October 1, 2019
• Aircraft, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Equipment, Production Freighters

On Sep. 30,  Everett Paine Field (PAE) resembled Memphis (MEM) with the frequency of 777F departures . Over the course of a single day, Boeing delivered three 777Fs to two different carriers. While we recall double-deliveries in the past, three large widebody freighters in a single day appears to be a record for Boeing. Production […]

Cathay Pacific retires lone 747-400BCF

• Jeff Lee
• October 1, 2019
• Aircraft, Carriers, Conversions, Equipment, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, News, Strategy, Widebody Conversions

Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific has withdrawn its single remaining 747-400BCF (25152) and ferried the freighter to the aircraft boneyard at Pinal Airpark (MZJ) in Marana, AZ, via Anchorage (ANC) and Los Angeles (LAX) [FAT 005156]. The aircraft had not flown since operating a round trip between Hong Kong (HKG) and Chennai (MAA) on Aug. 29. […]

Tianjin Air Cargo inducts 737-800BCF into fleet

• Jeff Lee
• September 30, 2019
• Aircraft, Carriers, Conversions, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, Narrowbody Conversions, News, Strategy

Tianjin Air Cargo has introduced its first 737-800BCF. The 17-year-old aircraft (32602, ex-Hainan Airlines) is on lease from Spectre Air Capital, following conversion to freighter configuration by Boeing at the Taikoo (Shandong) Aircraft Engineering Co., Ltd. (STAECO) facility in Jinan (TNA) [FATs 004944-004945]. In addition to the red Tianjin Air Cargo livery, the aircraft features the blue […]

WestJet expands cargo team as 787 fleet grows

• Charles Kauffman
• September 30, 2019
• Aircraft, Carriers, Equipment, News

On Oct. 1, Calgary-headquartered WestJet Cargo will begin transitioning domestic cargo sales ops to a newly established in-house sales team. Previously, domestic and Canadian export sales were handled through a GSA partner. Growth of the internal cargo team follows WestJet’s January decision to increase the visibility and expectations of its cargo division by bringing it […]

Boeing discovers cracks in 737 NG wing joints

• Charles Kauffman
• September 30, 2019
• Aircraft, Equipment, Narrowbody Conversions, News

Boeing recently notified the FAA of an emerging issue with older 737 NG airframes. “On a small number of airplanes undergoing modifications,” cracks were found in a component used to join the wings to the fuselage, commonly referred to as a pickle fork, according to a written statement from Boeing.  Further inspections have since uncovered issues […]

Rostrum signs leases on two 737-300Fs

• Jeff Lee
• September 27, 2019
• Aircraft, Carriers, Conversions, Exclusive, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, Narrowbody Conversions, Strategy

Rostrum Leasing has secured commitments for two of its recently converted 737-300Fs, the Ireland-based lessor confirmed to Cargo Facts. The two PEMCO-converted frames (27713 and 28401, both ex-Southwest) are due to be redelivered in October 2019 to an operator based in Asia [FATs 005147 and 005148]. Unit 27713, manufactured in December 1996, was converted in […]