Eastern sets sights on 767Fs and 777Fs

• Jeff Lee
• September 22, 2020
• Aircraft, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Conversions, Editorial, Equipment, Logistics, News, Production Freighters, Strategy, Widebody Conversions

Pennsylvania-headquartered Eastern Airlines may primarily be a leisure carrier transporting passengers between the U.S. and Latin America for now, but the airline is accelerating its plans to develop its cargo business, with freighters firmly in its sights. Mike Duggan, recently appointed director of international cargo business development, told Cargo Facts that as a niche startup […]

No summer slowdown detected in August freighter aircraft transactions

• Charles Kauffman and Jeff Lee
• September 15, 2020
• Aircraft, Carriers, Conversions, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, News, Production Freighters

Cargo Facts logged forty-three freighter aircraft transactions (FATs) during the month of August, nearly mirroring the volume of transactions recorded in July – so much for a summer slowdown. Transactions recorded during the period represent a balanced mix of carrier and fleet types. There were, however, some notable highlights among non-express all-cargo carriers, including: Russia-based […]

ACT reassigns 747-400Fs from Saudia to Turkish

• Jeff Lee
• September 10, 2020
• Aircraft, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Editorial, Equipment, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, Logistics, News, Production Freighters, Strategy, Widebody Conversions

Turkish Airlines has added more freighter capacity through two 747-400BDSFs operated on an ACMI basis by Turkey-based ACT Airlines. The aircraft (25641 and 25645, both ex-ANA) were both previously operated for Saudia Cargo [FATs 005617-005620]. At the end of August, the two 747s were brought back to Istanbul (ISL) from Saudi Arabia and repainted into ACT’s […]

Atlas Air’s Michael Steen added to Cargo Facts Symposium speaker faculty

• Charles Kauffman and Jeff Lee
• September 10, 2020
• Cargo Facts Symposium, Editorial, Events, News

Cargo Facts is pleased to announce that Michael Steen, executive vice president and chief commercial officer of Atlas Air Worldwide, will be speaking at Cargo Facts Symposium 2020. Steen will speak on a virtual roundtable session dedicated to the topic of widebody freighters, titled, “Big birds and plenty of pallets: Will renewed interest in widebody […]

Qatar sells A330-200F to Hungary

• Jeff Lee
• September 8, 2020
• Aircraft, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Editorial, Equipment, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, Logistics, News, Production Freighters, Strategy

One of Qatar Airways’ A330-200Fs has been acquired by the Hungarian government, according to local publication Origo. The aircraft (1578) will reportedly be operated by low-cost carrier Wizz Air [FAT 005604]. Apart from a test flight around Doha (DOH) on Aug. 31, unit 1578 had not flown since being removed from service after mid-July. In […]

China Airlines to retain 747-400Fs for longer than expected

• Jeff Lee
• September 3, 2020
• Aircraft, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Editorial, Equipment, Logistics, News, Production Freighters, Strategy

Amid the continuing demand for freighter capacity, Taiwan-based China Airlines will keep three 747-400Fs it had been remarketing for longer than originally planned. China Airlines told Cargo Facts it is currently no longer offering the three aircraft (30759, 30763 and 30764) for sale or lease, after deciding in July to postpone their removal. The carrier […]

EVA Air prepares for more freighters with rejigged Boeing order

• Charles Kauffman and Jeff Lee
• September 1, 2020
• Aircraft, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Editorial, Equipment, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, Logistics, News, Production Freighters, Strategy

After just over a year of operating a freighter fleet comprised of five 777Fs, Taiwan-based EVA Air is again growing its freighter fleet and will place orders for three additional 777Fs from Boeing [FATs 005588-5590].  “In response to changes of market demands and continuous optimization of the network and fleet, the board of directors approved the adjustment of some aircraft that have not delivered,” according […]

Delivered: Eighth Lufthansa 777F

• Charles Kauffman
• August 31, 2020
• Aircraft, Carriers, Editorial, Equipment, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, Logistics, News, Production Freighters, Strategy

Lufthansa Cargo has taken delivery of its eighth 777F (66911) from Boeing [FAT 005587]. The aircraft departed the Boeing facility in Everett (PAE) on Aug. 30, and was ferried directly to the carrier’s hub in Frankfurt (FRA). The freighter is one of two new-build 777F deliveries the carrier is expecting this year as part of […]