Freighter fleet growth pushes Atlas, Qatar and Turkish higher in 2018 traffic rankings

Yesterday, part I of our two-part analysis of the world's top 50 cargo carriers in 2018 revealed three carriers, Atlas Air Group, Qatar Airways and Turkish Cargo, that had made notable increases in rank among the top 50. For each of the three carriers, a growing freighter fleet led to higher traffic. Today, we take […]

• Charles Kauffman and Jeff Lee
• August 14, 2019

22 of top 25 cargo carriers operated freighters in 2018

Among the world’s top twenty-five cargo carriers in 2018, ranked by freight tonne kilometers (FTKs) carried, twenty-two of twenty-five carriers operated freighters. Expand the list to the top fifty cargo airlines and thirty-three carriers operated freighters. The remaining 34%, mostly comprised of mainline carriers with large widebody passenger fleets, made the list without significant maindeck […]

• Charles Kauffman and Jeff Lee
• August 13, 2019

Atlas looks to moderate fleet growth as tariffs sting in 2Q19

Despite a 10.5% year-over-year increase in block hours flown in 2Q19 across the company’s ACMI and Charter segments, Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings reported operating revenues that were nearly flat for the quarter (-0.3%) at $664 million. Company CEO Bill Flynn acknowledged on an earnings call with analysts that the third tranche of tariffs that went […]

• Charles Kauffman
• August 1, 2019

Kalitta secures contract with DHL for 777F ops

US-based Kalitta Air’s first 777F (35607, ex-Emirates) will begin flying routes for DHL Express on an ACMI basis next month, the carrier confirmed to Cargo Facts. The aircraft was delivered last month, on lease from DAE Capital [FAT 004938]. Earlier this week, photos of the aircraft in Kalitta Air livery with a DHL tail surfaced […]

• Jeff Lee
• July 29, 2019

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

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 […]

• Jeff Lee
• July 4, 2019

Flynn retiring as Atlas CEO, with Dietrich to assume the role in 2020

Today, Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings announced that President and Chief Executive Officer William Flynn will retire from the company at the end of this year. Flynn will become chairman of the board upon his retirement.   Atlas’ current Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, John Dietrich, will take Flynn’s place. Dietrich has been appointed president of the company effective immediately and will assume Flynn’s CEO role […]

• Brianne Ledda
• July 2, 2019

EFW inducts 777 into Dresden facility for DHL freighter conversion

On Tuesday evening, 777 arrived at EFW's Dresden facility where it was inducted for conversion to freighter configuration. Not a "777" airframe, but rather an A330-300 with MSN 777 (ex-China Eastern Airlines) [FAT 005033]. Following conversion, the aircraft will be the fourth A330 to be converted and enter service on behalf of DHL Express, operated […]

• Charles Kauffman
• June 27, 2019

Kalitta Air forays into 777F operations with ex-Emirates freighter

US-based Kalitta Air acquired its first 777F (35607, ex-Emirates) on lease from DAE Aviation, the carrier has confirmed to Cargo Facts [FAT 004938]. The aircraft is scheduled to arrive at Kalitta's Detroit area base at Willow Run Airport (YIP) tomorrow and will be operating in commercial service following ETOPS qualification, which is expected within six […]

• Charles Kauffman
• June 17, 2019