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

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

• Jeff Lee
• July 19, 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

Qantas looks to replace aging 737-300SFs

Australian carrier Qantas Freight is currently planning the renewal of its narrowbody freighter jet fleet, consisting of four 737-300SFs (23478, 23486, 23488 and 23490) and one 737-400SF (24796). While the company didn’t specify which types are being considered, it confirmed to Cargo Facts that the older of its 737-300SFs “will start to be replaced over […]

• Jeff Lee
• July 5, 2019

South African to downsize freighter fleet after ceasing overnight cargo ops

South African Airways (SAA) is preparing to return a 737-300F (24278) that was ACMI-leased from Star Air Cargo [FAT 004934]. The move follows the termination of SAA’s overnight freighter operations, the carrier tells Cargo Facts. For now, the South African carrier will continue to operate a pair of freighter-converted 737-300Fs, but is evaluating modernization options. […]

• Jeff Lee
• June 14, 2019

Resurgence seen in 737-300 P-to-F conversions

This week, a 737-300QC (28054, ex-Mistral Air) was ferried to San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO), where it was inducted for conversion to full-freighter configuration at the COOPESA facility by PEMCO. In the coming months, carriers in Latin America and Asia are planning to add more of the 737-300F fleet type. The -300QC induction follows a […]

• Charles Kauffman
• May 7, 2019

Cargo Facts Asia: 2 fast-growing Asian express carriers pursuing ACMI

SHANGHAI – Tianjin Air Cargo and Juneyao Air Logistics, two fast-growing Chinese express carriers, will consider ACMI leasing of widebody and narrowbody freighter aircraft, respectively, the companies said at today's eighth annual Cargo Facts Asia here. Although carriers serving the e-commerce fueled express markets would ultimately prefer to control their own long-haul capacity, panelists agreed […]

• Caryn Livingston and Charles Kauffman
• April 16, 2019

Freighter aircraft transactions through the first half of April

Every week in Cargo Facts Update, we include a list of recent freighter aircraft transactions, and then a comprehensive summary in the monthly issue of Cargo Facts. Each reference to a freighter aircraft transaction (FAT) in our publications contains a unique FAT code linked to the FAT database on the CargoFacts.com website. This database is […]

• Caryn Livingston and Charles Kauffman
• April 15, 2019

737 Classics may still have a role to play in 727F fleet modernization

With deliveries of “third generation” narrowbody conversions, to which the 737 NGs and A320/21 family programs belong, beginning to accelerate, it’s easy to juxtapose the new generation of narrowbody freighters with the 737 Classics and lose sight of the first generation of narrowbody freighters: 727Fs. As 737-400 feedstock dwindles, will 737-300s see a resurgence as […]

• Charles Kauffman
• April 12, 2019