Air France-KLM to retire 747 combis by 2021, freighters to remain

Air France-KLM will withdraw from service the remainder of its 747 passenger and combi fleet, comprising five 747-400Ms and five 747-400s, by 2021, the carrier recently announced. No immediate changes, meanwhile, are planned for the group’s six-strong freighter fleet.  A formal retirement schedule for the 747s will ultimately depend on the rate at which the group’s backlog of […]

• Jeff Lee
• June 7, 2019

Cathay Pacific signs 747-400ERF engine maintenance deal

In a sign that the Hong Kong-based carrier intends to continue operating its fleet of six 747-400ERF for at least a few more years, Cathay Pacific and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Aero Engines, Ltd. (MHIAEL) signed a five-year contract under which MHIAEL will provide engine MRO services for Cathay’s 747-400ERFs. The engines covered under the exclusive […]

• Caryn Livingston
• May 30, 2019

SF Airlines plans scheduled cargo ops from China to New York, takes another 767F

In a filing to the US Department of Transportation dated 13 May, Shenzhen-based SF Airlines requested permission to operate scheduled cargo service three times per week between Hangzhou (HGH) and New York (JFK), for at least one year. The service would begin in September 2019, using SF’s 747 freighter capacity.  SF Airlines took delivery of its […]

• Caryn Livingston
• May 15, 2019

Cargolux ferries first ex-ASL 747-400ERF to Luxembourg

Last Friday, a 747-400ERF (35234) previously operated by ASL Airlines Belgium was ferried to Cargolux’s main hub in Luxembourg. Following paint and maintenance, the aircraft will be the first of three incoming freighters the carrier will add to its fleet this year. Shortly after the aircraft’s arrival, Cargolux shared photos of the aircraft on its […]

• Charles Kauffman
• April 29, 2019

Startup ACE Belgium Freighters secures AOC

All-cargo startup ACE Belgium Freighters, the Liege-based affiliate of CAL Cargo, received its air operator’s certificate (AOC) on 18 April and will soon commence commercial cargo operations from its base at Liège Airport (LGG), with scheduled flights to Tel Aviv (TLV).  Eshel Heffetz, ACE’s CEO, told Cargo Facts the carrier is currently seeking approval from the U.S. Federal […]

• Caryn Livingston
• April 22, 2019

Cargolux nabs three 747-400ERFs as ASL restructures leased fleet

Last year, Cargolux confirmed plans to add three used 747-400ERFs to its fleet in 2019. At the time, a number of sources for the aircraft were possible, but now that a Luxembourgian registration has been reserved for the first aircraft (35236, ex-ASL Airlines Belgium) the identities of the other two incoming 747-400ERFs begin to emerge. […]

• Charles Kauffman
• April 8, 2019

Emirates sheds a 777F, where will it end up?

A 777F previously leased by Emirates SkyCargo (35606) from Atlas Air’s leasing arm Titan Aviation Holdings appears to have been returned to the lessor. The aircraft was re-registered in the United States and ferried to Marana (MZJ) on 31 March. Cargo Facts believes the aircraft will soon join the Southern Air fleet, and like the […]

• Caryn Livingston and Charles Kauffman
• April 2, 2019

SF Express’ first 747-400ERF ready for commercial service

On 26 October, SF Airlines’ first 747-400ERF (35173) exited maintenance and took to the skies above Shenzhen’s Bao’an International Airport (SZX) where the aircraft successfully completed its Chinese airworthiness test. The airline affiliate of SF Express confirmed that the aircraft is ready to enter commercial service and will be active ahead of this year’s “11.11” […]

• Chelsea Toczauer
• October 29, 2018