AEI awarded STC for 737-800SF, redelivery to Ethiopian expected shortly [VIDEO]

This week, US-based Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) was awarded an FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the conversion of passenger 737-800 airframes to freighter configuration. Redelivery of the first freighter-converted 737-800SF (29121, ex-Correndon Airlines) to launch operator Ethiopian Airlines is expected in a matter of weeks. Touch labor for AEI’s second 737-800SF (32613, ex-China Southern […]

• Charles Kauffman
• February 14, 2019

EgyptAir Cargo plans redelivery of second freighter-converted A330-200, inducts third [VIDEO]

This month, EgyptAir Cargo will take redelivery of its second of at least three A330-200P2Fs the carrier has on order with EFW. Upon redelivery, the aircraft (709) will be utilized to expand service to destinations in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Ahead of the redelivery, the carrier this week ferried a third A330-200 (610) […]

• Charles Kauffman
• February 1, 2019

Boeing’s autonomous aircraft prototype completes first flight [VIDEO]

A prototype autonomous passenger air vehicle (PAV), developed by Boeing subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences under the leadership of the Boeing NeXt division, successfully completed its first test flight in Virginia this week. Although the PAV is designed for passenger transport, the technology presents major opportunities for the future of autonomous and remote pilot cargo operations. […]

• Caryn Livingston
• January 25, 2019

AirBridgeCargo to add 747-8F via financing from US lessor [VIDEO]

US-based lessor Aviation Capital Group (ACG) will structure, arrange and guarantee a senior loan covering part of the purchase price of a 747-8F Boeing is scheduled to deliver to AirBridgeCargo Airlines next month. The transaction is the first made under ACG’s Aircraft Financing Solutions program, the lessor said in a statement today announcing the loan. […]

• Caryn Livingston
• January 18, 2019

European metal part II: Twin-aisle, remove the aisle

Yesterday, part I of “European metal” provided an overview of the narrowbody jet freighter fleet in service with European operators. Part II continues with an overview of the region’s widebody freighter fleet. Turning now to the widebody freighter fleet in service with European carriers, the region is home to approximately one-fifth of the global freighter […]

• Charles Kauffman
• December 7, 2018

Freighter fleet analysis part I: European metal

Were “innovation” to be defined by a cargo airline’s propensity to add the latest production and conversion freighter models, airlines in Europe would do quite well. Unfortunately, that remains a rather unconventional way to define innovation. Still, over the course of 2018, carriers with European Air Operator Certificates (AOC) have surfaced as early adopters of […]

• Charles Kauffman
• December 6, 2018

How hard is it to switch freighter platforms? [VIDEO]

While Boeing aircraft dominate the global narrowbody freighter market, much discussion at Cargo Facts Symposium 2018 revolved around possibilities for A321 P2F conversions. During a panel discussion on narrowbody conversions, speakers addressed the challenges – as well as potential benefits – of either switching from Boeing to Airbus freighters, or adding Airbus freighters to a […]

• Caryn Livingston
• October 26, 2018

The right-sized freighter for trade imbalance in Latin America [VIDEO]

As economies in Latin America continue to rebound after an extended period of contraction, the region is seeing a resurgence in demand for freighters. Speakers on a Latin America-focused panel at Cargo Facts Symposium 2018 argued that the equipment utilized, and the networks in which freighters operate, are evolving to match the needs of today’s market. LATAM Cargo, […]

• Charles Kauffman
• October 24, 2018