Qatar Airways takes delivery of 17th 777F, aims for 21 by year end

• Charles Kauffman
• July 30, 2019
• Aircraft, All Posts, Carriers, Features, News, Production Freighters

After completing a series of flight tests around Boeing’s Everett, WA factory last week, a 777F (66335) has just minutes ago departed Everett’s Paine Field (PAE) for Doha, Qatar (DOH) on delivery to Qatar Airways [FAT 005075]. The carrier has also accelerated delivery plans for four outstanding 777Fs on firm order with Boeing and expects […]

Sichuan Airlines to launch freighter operations in October

• Jeff Lee
• July 15, 2019
• All Posts, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Features, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, News, Production Freighters, Strategy

Sichuan Airlines plans to commence scheduled operations with its A330Fs in October, with Brussels (BRU), Chennai (MAA) and Delhi (DEL) expected to be the first three destinations, the carrier told Cargo Facts. The Chengdu (CTU)-based airline took delivery of its first A330-200F (1350, ex-Qatar Airways) from BOC Aviation late last week [FAT 005047], and told […]

Air Hong Kong to bring ASL-operated A330Fs under own AOC

• Jeff Lee
• July 4, 2019
• Aircraft, All Posts, Carriers, Conversions, Features, News, Production Freighters, Strategy, Widebody Conversions

Wholly owned Cathay Pacific-subsidiary Air Hong Kong (AHK) will soon be operating at least two A330 freighters under its own AOC, the carrier told Cargo Facts. While the carrier currently operates ten A300-600Fs, it had previously contracted ASL Airlines Ireland to operate a small fleet of A330Fs on an ACMI basis. The first aircraft, an […]

Qatar Airways commits to five more 777Fs

• Jeff Lee
• June 19, 2019
• Aircraft, All Posts, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, News

Qatar Airways plans to add another five 777Fs to its freighter fleet, the carrier announced today as part of a commitment signed with Boeing at the Paris Air Show. The carrier is already the second-largest operator of the type, with sixteen 777Fs currently in service and another five on order, excluding today’s commitment, which if […]

EgyptAir Cargo plans to add third A330-200P2F in 3Q19

• Charles Kauffman
• June 10, 2019
• Aircraft, All Posts, Carriers, Conversions, Update

EgyptAir Cargo, which already operates two A330-200P2Fs, is preparing to take redelivery of a third A330-200P2F (610) from EFW in 3Q19.  Beyond the three, the carrier is planning to convert up to four additional A330s currently operating in EgyptAir's passenger fleet. EgyptAir told Cargo Facts that it will ultimately consider adding a total of five […]

Sichuan Airlines postpones launch of freighter operations

• Charles Kauffman
• June 6, 2019
• Carriers

Chengdu-based Sichuan Airlines plans to put its first A330-200F into commercial service by September, the carrier tells Cargo Facts. Originally, the carrier had planned to launch thrice-weekly flights between Chengdu Airport (CTU) and Brussels Airport (BRU) by the end of April. Even though the carrier has registered its first aircraft (1406, ex-Qatar Airways) on lease […]

Qatar Airways updates 777F delivery timeline, again hints at A330F disposal

• Charles Kauffman
• May 16, 2019
• Aircraft, All Posts, Carriers

Doha-based Qatar Airways is planning to take delivery of four more 777Fs before the year is over, the company’s CEO, Akbar Al Baker, revealed at a media event in Qatar earlier this week. Without specifically mentioning the A330-200F, of which the carrier currently owns and operates five, Al Baker told The Gulf Times the carrier […]

Despite future focus on 777Fs, Turkish Cargo continues to refine A330-200F network

• Charles Kauffman
• May 10, 2019
• Aircraft, Carriers

Although Istanbul-based Turkish Cargo is investing heavily in the 777F platform for future growth, it remains as one of the few combination carriers operating A330-200Fs in large numbers. This week, Turkish Cargo added a Porto (OPO) stop to a weekly flight previously operating as a round-trip service between Istanbul (IST) and Madrid (MAD) on Sundays. […]