10 carriers where cargo contributes the most

• Charles Kauffman and Jeff Lee
• June 17, 2020
• Aircraft, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Editorial, Logistics, News, Production Freighters, Strategy, Widebody Conversions

Between 2018 and 2019, the contribution of cargo to a combination carrier’s top line decreased almost unanimously as the airfreight market entered cool-down mode after a multi-year growth streak. With the exception of Qatar Airways, all of the top-ten carriers by cargo revenue contribution saw cargo play a reduced or unchanged role in 2019. With […]

KLM to reactivate two 747 Combis as freighters

• Jeff Lee
• April 9, 2020
• Aircraft, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Conversions, Equipment, Logistics, News, Production Freighters, Strategy, Widebody Conversions

Netherlands-based KLM will bring two 747-400 Combis out of their short-lived retirement to serve as freighters between Amsterdam (AMS) and China during the COVID-19 crisis. The carrier has partnered with the Dutch government and the Royal Philips Dutch conglomerate to transport cargo on the aircraft for six to eight weeks, starting April 13. KLM had […]

Qantas, KLM fly passenger aircraft as freighters, Lufthansa and IAG may follow

• Jeff Lee
• March 18, 2020
• Aircraft, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Equipment, News, Production Freighters, Strategy, Widebody Conversions

[Note: Qantas has now decided to suspend all international passenger flying from the end of March until at least May 31, 2020.] As borders are severely restricted and passenger flights are cancelled around the world because of the COVID-19 pandemic, more airlines are beginning to operate empty passenger aircraft for the sole purpose of carrying […]

Air France completes D-check on 777F

• Jeff Lee
• August 21, 2019
• Aircraft, All Posts, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Features, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, News, Strategy

Air France has completed a scheduled D-check on one of its 777Fs (32966). The aircraft is expected to reenter service this weekend and is scheduled to fly to Chicago (ORD), according to Air France KLM Martinair Cargo. Unit 32966 entered Air France’s MRO facility in Orly (ORY) on 21 July, having been in service for […]

Air France ACMI leases Cargolux 747 during 777F maintenance

• Jeff Lee
• August 13, 2019
• Aircraft, All Posts, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Features, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, Strategy

Cargolux has been flying one of its 747-400Fs for Air France on an ACMI basis since 21 July while one of the French carrier’s 777Fs (32966) undergoes planned heavy maintenance [FAT 005095]. Air France KLM Martinair Cargo confirmed to Cargo Facts that the ACMI deal will last until unit 32966 completes the maintenance work in […]

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 […]