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

Eastern Air Logistics hints at more 777Fs for China Cargo Airlines

Eastern Air Logistics (EAL) plans to expand the fleet of its subsidiary China Cargo Airlines with more 777Fs, according to the prospectus the company filed for an initial public offering (IPO). EAL also intends to buy more spare engines for its 777Fs. In a sign of confidence in the 777 platform, EAL said that, given […]

• Jeff Lee
• July 10, 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

Freighter aircraft transactions through June

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
• July 4, 2019

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

• Charles Kauffman
• July 3, 2019

Connect Cargo becomes Brazil’s latest freighter airline

Brazilian startup Connect Cargo has completed its Part 121 certification with ANAC, Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency, and has been granted its AOC, paving the way for the launch of scheduled commercial operations. The company will base its two PEMCO-converted 737-400Fs (27087, ex-Malaysia Airlines, and 26605, ex-Japan Transocean Air) at Recife (REC) and fly them […]

• Jeff Lee
• June 28, 2019

Volga-Dnepr firms up order for nine 777Fs

Less than one year after expressing interest in the 777F platform, a UK offshoot of the Russia-based Volga-Dnepr Group has firmed up an order for nine 777Fs. Although the deal was finalized in December 2018, the order from Volga-Dnepr UK Ltd. is only now surfacing in a recent update to Boeing’s order book. While a […]

• Charles Kauffman
• June 13, 2019

NCA’s 747F fleet to be fully operational ahead of peak season

Following a maintenance check in Taiwan, a Nippon Cargo Airlines 747-400F (36135) will be returned to commercial service, to be operated on a CMI basis by Atlas Air. A fifth 747-400F (36133) is not far behind, and NCA tells Cargo Facts that once the two 747-400Fs are back in service, which will occur ahead of […]

• Charles Kauffman
• June 11, 2019