UPS, widebodies dominate November 2019 freighter aircraft transactions

• Charles Kauffman
• December 31, 2019
• Aircraft, Equipment, Freighter Aircraft Transactions

Of the 19 freighter aircraft transactions (FATs) Cargo Facts recorded in November 2019, 14 involved widebody freighters as deliveries remained strong ahead of peak season. UPS added three freighters in November, including one 747-8F, a 767-300F and a freighter-converted 767-300BDSF. FATs involving narrowbody freighters remain infrequent as feedstock for conversion continues to be tight while the 737 MAX remains grounded. […]

Geo Sky expands with another 747 Classic freighter, looks to -400Fs

• Jeff Lee
• December 31, 2019
• Aircraft, Equipment, Exclusive, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, News, Widebody Conversions

Georgia-based Geo Sky received a Christmas gift in the form of a 747-200F (23735, ex-Air Atlanta Icelandic) [FAT 005275]. The carrier now has a fleet of four 747-200Fs. Geo Sky told Cargo Facts that the aircraft is leased from a Dubai-based lessor, and expects to deploy unit 23735 in service on or around Jan. 7. While […]

European freighter fleet analysis (Part II): 777F on the rise

• Charles Kauffman and Jeff Lee
• December 30, 2019
• Aircraft, Carriers, Conversions, Features, Production Freighters, Strategy, Widebody Conversions, Widebody Fleet Analysis

This is the second part of our analysis of the European jet freighter fleet. Last week, we looked at narrowbodies in Part I. Turning to the widebody jet freighter fleet operated by European carriers, the chart shows that the total number increased 8.3% since last year to 209 units. Notably, the overall number of 747-400Fs […]

Second EFW A321P2F heads to conversion facility in Singapore

• Jeff Lee
• December 27, 2019
• Aircraft, Conversions, Narrowbody Conversions, News, Strategy

An A321-200 (1238, ex-Thomas Cook Airlines) that will become Elbe Flugzeugwerke’s (EFW) second A321P2F was ferried to Singapore (XSP) on Christmas Day. San Francisco-headquartered BBAM confirmed to Cargo Facts that it is managing this aircraft and that it will soon be inducted for conversion into freighter configuration [FAT 005272]. The 20-year-old A321 was stored in Manchester […]

Pionair Australia BAe 146-300QT enters service for Qantas Freight

• Jeff Lee
• December 27, 2019
• Aircraft, Carriers, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, News, Strategy

Pionair Australia has put its first BAe 146-300QT (E3150) into service, operating for Qantas Freight on an ACMI basis [FAT 005271]. The aircraft is mainly flying between Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL) and Launceston (LST). The Australian carrier previously confirmed to Cargo Facts that it had purchased three BAe 146-300QTs from Germany-based WDL Aviation earlier this year for growth. Unit E3150 was ferried to Australia […]

China Southern spins off cargo unit

• Jeff Lee
• December 26, 2019
• Aircraft, Carriers, News, Production Freighters, Strategy

China Southern Airlines has spun off its cargo unit into a separate company. The new, fully owned subsidiary was set up on Dec. 24 and has a registered capital of 1 billion yuan (US$142.9 million). The move is in line with China’s national policy of reforming its large state-owned enterprises. China Southern said during Cargo […]

Lufthansa Cargo’s Peter Gerber to join Cargo Facts EMEA for fireside chat

• Jeff Lee
• December 26, 2019
• Cargo Facts EMEA, Carriers, Strategy

Cargo Facts is delighted that Peter Gerber, CEO and chairman of the executive board at Lufthansa Cargo, will be speaking at Cargo Facts EMEA 2020 in an exclusive fireside chat. We’re also pleased to announce that Lufthansa Cargo is our host airline partner for the event, which will be held in Frankfurt in February. Gerber […]

FedEx accelerates MD-10-10F retirement, receives final production 767F for 2019

• Jeff Lee
• December 24, 2019
• Aircraft, Carriers, Express, News, Production Freighters, Strategy

FedEx will speed up the withdrawal of its MD-10-10F fleet, with nine more aircraft to be retired over the next six months, as the company took delivery of its fifteenth 767-300F (63113) this calendar year [FAT 005268]. Apart from unit 63113, which is the 20th and final production 767-300F delivered by Boeing in 2019, FedEx […]