Royal Air Maroc considering additional 767-300Fs

• Charles Kauffman
• October 24, 2019
• Carriers, Conversions, Equipment, Exclusive, Express, Features, Widebody Conversions

After more than a year of widebody freighter operations, which began in June 2018 with a 767-300BCF, Casablanca-based Royal Air Maroc (RAM) is preparing to expand its freighter network and fleet. Over the next few years the carrier plans to add freighters, Salim Quouninich, VP Cargo, Royal Air Maroc, told Cargo Facts. Although a decision […]

ACMI Operators (global express fleet – part IV)

• Charles Kauffman
• October 18, 2019
• Express Fleet Analysis, Features, Freighter Fleet Analysis, News

Earlier this week, we began our four-part analysis of the worldwide express freighter fleet. Part I offers a look at the overall fleet of jet freighters used now by the integrated express operators, and how that fleet has changed over the years. In Part II we examined the fleets of relative newcomers to the industry, […]

The Big Three: DHL, FedEx and UPS (global express fleet – Part III)

• Charles Kauffman
• October 17, 2019
• Express Fleet Analysis, Features, Freighter Fleet Analysis, News

Earlier this week, we began our four-part analysis of the worldwide express freighter fleet. Part I offers a look at the overall fleet of jet freighters used now by the integrated express operators, and how that fleet has changed over the years. Yesterday, in Part II we examined the fleets of relative newcomers to the […]

SF Airlines adds second 747-400ERF

• Charles Kauffman
• September 9, 2019
• Aircraft, All Posts, Carriers, E-Commerce, Features, Production Freighters

Shenzhen-based SF Airlines’ second 747-400ERF (35174, ex-Jade Cargo) has officially joined the carrier’s freighter fleet [FAT 005129]. Including the 757-200PCF (29441, ex-TUI Airways) redelivered to SF last week, the carrier’s fleet now numbers 57 freighters. The widebody freighter was one of a pair of 747-400ERFs SF won in an auction that took place on Alibaba’s […]

Express companies attempt to shift from serving as mere e-commerce delivery subcontractors

• Frederic Horst
• September 6, 2019
• Cargo Facts Consulting, Carriers, Express, Features, News, Strategy

In mid-September, Cargo Facts Consulting will publish a new report, the Global E-Commerce Logistics Outlook, to help companies craft their strategies towards a segment that has become increasingly important in logistics. This is the third of a series of articles leading up to the publication of the report that provides a window into our research.  […]

Yamaha partners with Astral to expand drone ops in Kenya

• Chelsea Toczauer
• September 4, 2019
• All Posts, Features, News

While major integrators and e-commerce giants are navigating the potential use of unmanned aerial vehicles (or drones) for cargo delivery in North America , Europe and China, Kenya-based drone start-up Astral Aerial Solutions, an affiliate of Astral Aviation, is pursuing drone projects of its own from the company’s base in Nairobi. Astral Aerial Solutions and Japanese drone manufacturer Yamaha Motor Company are partnering to provide […]

After latest UPS delivery, Boeing’s 747-8F order backlog slips into the teens

• Charles Kauffman
• September 3, 2019
• Aircraft, All Posts, Carriers, Features, Production Freighters

Following a delivery to UPS last week (64263) [FAT 005115], Boeing’s order backlog for the 747-8F now stands at just nineteen units. Of the nineteen-unit 747-8F backlog, most future deliveries will go to UPS, which still has fifteen of the type remaining on firm order with Boeing. As for the other four units in Boeing’s […]

Cargolux is latest freighter-only operator to offer digital bookings

• Jeff Lee
• September 3, 2019
• All Posts, Carriers, Features, News, Strategy

Cargolux Airlines is making it easier for customers to purchase airfreight capacity with the launch of an online booking platform. Although such booking tools are no longer novel for combination carriers, the new tool represents something of a milestone for an all-cargo carrier.