Cessna SkyCourier freighter takes first flight

• Charles Kauffman
• August 14, 2020
• Aircraft, All Posts, Carriers, Editorial, Equipment, Express, Logistics, Production Freighters

Textron Aviation completed assembly of the first freighter-configured Cessna SkyCourier 408, and subsequently operated its first test flight, the company announced this week. Disruption in the form of later cutoff times for cities served by integrator feeder networks may be on the horizon. Unlike previous Cessna models that are currently widely utilized in cargo service, […]

Despite near-term air cargo bump, FedEx rejigs aircraft deliveries

• Charles Kauffman
• July 1, 2020
• Aircraft, All Posts, Carriers, E-Commerce, Earnings, Editorial, Equipment, Logistics, Production Freighters

The COVID-19 pandemic kicked FedEx’s flight operations into high gear during the fourth quarter of its fiscal year 2020, ended May 31. The favorable demand that surfaced following passenger flight cancellations enabled FedEx to make up for lost ground in Q4 with additional flight segments and a surge in charter activity. While capacity cuts and […]

747-400 most sought-after freighter in April FATs

• Charles Kauffman
• May 11, 2020
• Aircraft, All Posts, Conversions, Editorial, Equipment, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, Widebody Conversions, Widebody Fleet Analysis

Large widebody freighter aircraft transactions (FATs) have accelerated to eight, up from just three in March as COVID-19 disruptions pushed previously-idled 747-400 and similarly-sized freighters back into service. A total of three 747-400Fs were acquired during the month of April as Western Global Airlines added a production 747-400F (29258, ex-Atlas Air) and as Moldova-based Aerotranscargo […]

Widebody freighter retirement plans stall in March FATs

• Charles Kauffman
• April 27, 2020
• Aircraft, Conversions, Editorial, Equipment, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, Narrowbody Conversions, Widebody Conversions

Large widebody freighter aircraft transactions (FATs) have slowed, dropping to just three in March and down from eight in February, as COVID-19 disruptions drove carriers to reevaluate retirement plans. Although February marked the first month in recent memory during which there was a net reduction to large widebody capacity, that trend reversed in March. ACE […]

FedEx reactivates first parked jet this year

• Jeff Lee
• April 16, 2020
• Aircraft, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Equipment, Express, News, Production Freighters, Strategy

While hundreds of passenger aircraft have been heading to Victorville (VCV) for short-term storage during the COVID-19 crisis, FedEx Express has brought an A300-600F (789) out of VCV, ferrying it to Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) on April 14. Unit 789, which was sent from Memphis (MEM) to VCV to be parked March 13, is […]

Loss of belly capacity hobbles USPS

• Frederic Horst
• April 9, 2020
• All Posts, Capacity & Demand, Cargo Facts Consulting, Carriers, News

Large-scale domestic and international passenger flight reductions resulting from the COVID-19 crisis have created capacity problems for postal providers. With mail accounting for approximately 3% of international freight traffic, the post’s loss might mean new business opportunities for all-cargo and express companies. Due to airline travel restrictions and cancellations, the United States Postal Service is […]

Freighters resist quarantine and spring back into action, for now

• Charles Kauffman
• March 18, 2020
• Aircraft, All Posts, Editorial, Equipment, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, News, Widebody Fleet Analysis

On March 15, ACE Belgium Freighters added to its fleet a second 747-400, an ERF variant (35169, ex-Jade Cargo) that previously operated on the AOC of affiliate carrier Israel-based CAL Cargo [FAT 005356]. After sitting idle since its ferry flight to Liege (LGG) on Feb. 2, the aircraft has since completed two roundtrip flights between […]

Widebody wind down seen in February freighter aircraft transactions

• Charles Kauffman
• March 16, 2020
• All Posts, Carriers, Conversions, Editorial, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, Narrowbody Conversions, News, Production Freighters, Widebody Conversions

For the first time since 2015, there was a net reduction to large widebody capacity for the month of February 2020.  Five large widebody freighters were removed as CargologicAir, FedEx and Lufthansa Cargo parked or retired freighters. During the same period, just four large widebody freighters were added to the fleets of DHL Express, Cargolux […]