First BelugaXL prepares to fly

Yesterday at a paint hanger in Toulouse, Airbus had a “whale of a time” unveiling the first completed “BelugaXL” freighter. More on that later… Ground tests are expected to commence shortly, with flight tests on track to begin later this summer. Airbus expects the first aircraft to enter service next year, at which time the […]

• Charles Kauffman
• June 29, 2018

First Taobao 747F takes off [VIDEO]

The ex-Jade Cargo 747-400ERF (35169) in the video below was purchased late last year by Israel-based CAL Cargo Airlines in a Taobao auction for US$23.3 million. It has been stored at Shenzhen Bao’an Airport (SZS) and was ferried today to Tel Aviv, where it will undergo maintenance at the IAI-Bedek MRO facility. CAL Cargo Airlines […]

• Caryn Livingston
• June 22, 2018

EgyptAir outlines timeline for A330-200P2F redeliveries [video]

Cairo-based EgyptAir says the first of three freighter-converted A330-200Fs it has on order with EFW will be redelivered later this month, around 30 June. A second A330-200P2F, meanwhile, is expected in October. EgyptAir became the launch customer (and so far the only customer) for EFW’s A330-200P2F program, when it placed an order for two conversions […]

• Charles Kauffman
• June 8, 2018

Alaska Air Cargo’s three 737-700Fs flying high, considers adding more

Better late than never, Alaska Air Cargo took re-delivery of its first Bedek-converted 737-700BDSF about two years later than originally expected in September 2017. The first -700F entered commercial service on 27 September 2017, and as of March 2018, the Seattle-based carrier was operating all three -700BDSFs it had on order with Bedek. Looking ahead, […]

• Charles Kauffman
• June 1, 2018

Cargolux adding three 747-400Fs next year, but where will they come from?

Last week, Cargo Facts sat down with Cargolux President & CEO Richard Forson to discuss what the all-cargo carrier’s fleet might look in the future, when 747Fs are no longer available.  Today, however, 747Fs can still be acquired, and the Luxembourg-based all-cargo airline is planning to add three used 747-400Fs next year. The source of […]

• Charles Kauffman
• May 25, 2018

Just what is Amazon carrying on its Prime Planes? [VIDEO]

In the twenty-month period since “Amazon One“, the first 767F donning “Prime” livery was unveiled to the public, Air Transport Services Group (ATSG) and Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings (AAWW), the CMI operators of Amazon’s freighter network, have put a total of thirty-three 767Fs into service for the e-commerce giant.  Apart from the types of freighters in […]

• Charles Kauffman
• May 11, 2018

SF Express joins Malaysia-China cross-border e-commerce initiative

Earlier this week, SF Express announced it had joined the “Malaysia-China cross-border e-commerce sharing platform” as an official partner. After similar bi-lateral initiatives were criticized for favoring Chinese exports to Malaysia, the new sharing platform appears to be the first that aims to help Malaysian SMEs boost exports to China. While increased trade flows between […]

• Charles Kauffman
• April 20, 2018

First freighter-converted 737-800F certified and redelivered by Boeing

On 12 April, Boeing announced via Twitter that it had received EASA and FAA Standard Type Certification (STC) for its 737-800BCF freighter conversion program. Following certification, the 737-800BCF (32740) was ferried from Victorville to East Midlands, where it will be formally handed over to launch customer GECAS, and then immediately leased to launch operator, Sweden-based […]

• Charles Kauffman
• April 17, 2018

Breaking news: Qatar signs LOI for five more 777Fs

Qatar Airways today signed a Letter of Intent with Boeing to purchase five 777 Freighters. Assuming the order is finalized, Qatar Airways may become the operator of the world’s largest jet freighter fleet outside the big express companies. The carrier currently operates two 747-8Fs, thirteen 777Fs, and eight A330-200Fs. It also has three more 777Fs […]

• David Harris
• April 10, 2018

Rapidly-growing Turkish Airlines adds maiden 777F

Earlier today at its global hub in Istanbul, Turkish Airlines celebrated the delivery of the first of two 777Fs (60403) it has on order with Boeing. The 777F arrived in Turkey last week after being ferried from Everett’s Paine Field, and was immediately placed into service to Turkish’s subcarrier, Turkish Cargo, in support of its […]

• Charles Kauffman
• December 7, 2017