Sichuan Airlines to launch freighter operations in October

Sichuan Airlines plans to commence scheduled operations with its A330Fs in October, with Brussels (BRU), Chennai (MAA) and Delhi (DEL) expected to be the first three destinations, the carrier told Cargo Facts. The Chengdu (CTU)-based airline took delivery of its first A330-200F (1350, ex-Qatar Airways) from BOC Aviation late last week [FAT 005047], and told […]

• Jeff Lee
• July 15, 2019

Boeing’s 737 MAX may stay grounded until 2020, WSJ says

Boeing Co.’s 737 MAX may stay grounded until early 2020, the Wall Street Journal reported, months later than the guidance the planemaker is privately providing customers for resolving a software issue that surfaced last month. The plane is expected to start flying again in January 2020 “under the latest scenario,” the Journal said, citing unidentified sources within […]

• Bloomberg News
• July 15, 2019

PEMCO prepares to convert fourth 737-300 for Rostrum Leasing

On July 10, a 737-300 (27710, ex-Southwest) was ferried from storage in Victorville (VCV) to Tampa (TPA). PEMCO Conversions confirmed to Cargo Facts that this aircraft is due to be inducted for conversion into freighter configuration at its TPA facility, and that the customer will be Ireland-based Rostrum Leasing. PEMCO said that unit 27710 will […]

• Jeff Lee
• July 12, 2019

Freighter aircraft leasing part I: E-commerce behind growing leasing market

Today we begin our annual analysis of the increasingly complex world of freighter aircraft leasing. In this two-part series, we begin with an overview of how the freighter fleet belonging to lessors has evolved since our analysis a year ago. In part II, we will consider the leased fleet by carrier, and how year-over-year shifts […]

• Jeff Lee
• July 11, 2019

Titan Airways receives second 737-400SF; expects first A321P2F by year-end 2020

U.K.-based Titan Airways has taken redelivery of its second 737-400SF from Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) [FAT 005041-5042]. The aircraft (25853, ex-British Airways), on lease from Automatic LLC and previously part of Titan’s own passenger fleet, was inducted for conversion at the Commercial Jet facility in Dothan, Alabama (DHN), in October 2018. It was ferried from […]

• Jeff Lee
• July 11, 2019

Eastern Air Logistics hints at more 777Fs for China Cargo Airlines

Eastern Air Logistics (EAL) plans to expand the fleet of its subsidiary China Cargo Airlines with more 777Fs, according to the prospectus the company filed for an initial public offering (IPO). EAL also intends to buy more spare engines for its 777Fs. In a sign of confidence in the 777 platform, EAL said that, given […]

• Jeff Lee
• July 10, 2019

ANA Cargo begins flying second 777F

ANA Cargo said that its second 777F (65757), which was delivered and ferried to Tokyo Haneda (HND) almost a month ago, is now ready for service and that it would be deploying this frame from today. Flight tracking data shows that this is indeed the case, with unit 65757 having departed Tokyo Narita (NRT) for […]

• Jeff Lee
• July 9, 2019

US and EU head for tariffs over aircraft aid, trade chief says

European Union Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom signaled that she expects the U.S. and EU to hit each other with tariffs as retaliation over illegal government aid to Airbus SE and Boeing Co. Malmstrom said the U.S. is entitled to strike first by the end of summer and the EU would follow suit five to six […]

• Bloomberg News
• July 9, 2019