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 […]

Cargolux closes JOLCO on another 747F

• Jeff Lee
• August 5, 2019
• Aircraft, All Posts, Carriers, Features, News

Luxembourg-based Cargolux has closed a Japanese operating lease with call option (JOLCO) transaction for another 747-400ERF. This is the airline’s third JOLCO, having concluded the first such transaction this January. Under the JOLCO, Cargolux has the option to purchase the aircraft during or at the end of the lease. According to Cargolux, the London Branch of […]

No 747-8F upgauge yet for Qantas Freight

• Jeff Lee
• July 30, 2019
• Aircraft, All Posts, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Features, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, News, Strategy

Two Atlas Air 747-400Fs (29253 and 29254) that had been flying on an ACMI basis for Qantas Freight ceased operations on Sunday as part of a planned transition to larger 747-8Fs. Surprisingly, they have been replaced not by two 747-8Fs, but with another two Atlas 747-400Fs (30588 and 32840). According to a statement by Atlas […]

KLM Cargo rejigs flight schedule after flap incident grounds 747F

• Jeff Lee
• July 17, 2019
• Aircraft, All Posts, Carriers, Features, News

A KLM Cargo 747-400ERF (33694) is grounded in Harare (HRE) after a flap section separated from its wing during approach. The carrier told Cargo Facts that the aircraft will be repaired in HRE and is expected to be back in service on July 25. Unit 33694 was also involved in a ground incident in Dar-es-Salaam […]

El Al ceases 747 freighter ops, looks to AirBridge and ASL for charters [VIDEO]

• Charles Kauffman
• July 3, 2019
• All Posts, Carriers, Features, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, Production Freighters, Video

On 30 June, an El Al-operated 747-400F (26563) landed at Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) on completion of a final commercial flight that originated in Liege, Belgium (LGG). El Al yesterday confirmed that it is retiring the freighter after nine years in service [FAT 005038]. Despite the retirement of the Israel-based carrier’s only freighter, El Al […]

KLM leases Atlas Air 747 to cover maintenance, incident at Dar-es-Salaam

• Jeff Lee
• June 26, 2019
• Aircraft, All Posts, Carriers, News

One of KLM Cargo’s 747-400ERFs (33694) is grounded at Schiphol (AMS) after having been involved in a ground incident at Dar-es-Salaam (DAR) last week. Air France KLM Martinair Cargo confirmed to Cargo Facts that the aircraft is expected to be out of service until 1 July. Coincidentally, the carrier said that it had already arranged […]

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

• Jeff Lee
• June 7, 2019
• Aircraft, All Posts, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Strategy

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 […]

Cathay Pacific signs 747-400ERF engine maintenance deal

• Caryn Livingston
• May 30, 2019
• Carriers

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 […]