SF’s large-scale cargo drone moves closer to commercialization after successful flight

Shenzhen-based SF Express announced this week that its Feihong-98 unmanned large cargo drone completed a successful test flight at the company’s Baotou test facility in Inner Mongolia.  SF is preparing to launch small-scale commercialization of the drone within 3-5 years, according to local media sources. Developed in partnership with the China Academy of Aerospace Electronics […]

• Chelsea Toczauer
• October 17, 2018

Asian freighter fleet analysis part II: Fleets chart long-distance courses

Last week, in Part I of our two-part analysis of the freighter fleet in service with carriers based in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, we began with an overview of the freighter fleets operated by carriers based in Taiwan and Hong Kong. Today, we continue with an analysis of the freighter fleet based in mainland […]

• Charles Kauffman
• October 9, 2018

SF Express to ACMI-lease a 747-400F from Atlas to expedite launch of trans-Pacific ops

Beginning next month, Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings’ Atlas Air subsidiary will operate a 747-400F on an ACMI-basis for Shenzhen-based express carrier SF Express. Widebody 747F operations represent a monumental step for SF, which historically operated a fleet of narrowbody freighters in a domestic express network. In recent years, the carrier has deployed 767-300BCFs on international […]

• Charles Kauffman
• September 21, 2018

The global express fleet — Part III

Last week, we began our three-part analysis of the worldwide express freighter fleet. Part I offers a look at the overall fleet of jet freighters used now by the integrated express operators, and how that fleet has changed over the years. Yesterday, in Part II we examined the fleets of relative newcomers to the industry, such as […]

• Caryn Livingston
• June 12, 2018

The global express fleet — Part II

Last week, we began our three-part analysis of the worldwide express freighter fleet. Part I offers a look at the overall fleet of jet freighters used now by the integrated express operators, and how that fleet has changed over the years. Today, in Part II we examine the fleets of relative newcomers to the industry, […]

• Caryn Livingston
• June 11, 2018

The global express fleet — Part I: The 767 Dominates Express Fleet Growth

Today, we begin a three-part analysis of the worldwide express freighter fleet. Part I offers a look at the overall fleet of jet freighters used now by the integrated express operators, and how that fleet has changed over the years. Part II delves into the fleets of relative newcomers to the industry, such as Amazon, […]

• Caryn Livingston
• June 7, 2018

Previously unreported freighter aircraft transactions

We try to keep up-to-date on transactions involving freighter aircraft, publishing a list of recent transactions every week in Cargo Facts Update, and then a comprehensive summary in the monthly issue of Cargo Facts. However, particularly in the case of used passenger aircraft being acquired and put into conversion to freighter configuration, it is easy […]

• David Harris
• May 24, 2018

Amazing Express Race Part II: And the Winner is…

Shanghai – And the winner is… Last month after Cargo Facts Asia 2018, the Cargo Facts team ran an experiment to test the speed, convenience, and reliability of cross-border express shipments between China and the United States (see part I here). Three-weeks after dropping the parcels off at various ship centers in Shanghai, two of […]

• Caryn Livingston and Charles Kauffman
• May 15, 2018

Freighter aircraft transactions through April 2018

Every week in Cargo Facts Update, we include a list of recent freighter aircraft transactions, and then a comprehensive summary in the monthly issue of Cargo Facts. Each reference to a freighter aircraft transaction (FAT) in our publications contains a unique FAT code linked to the FAT database on the CargoFacts.com website. This database is […]

• David Harris
• April 27, 2018

Boeing will increase 767 Freighter production. Does this mean new orders?

Boeing today released its first-quarter financial report. As expected, results were excellent – revenue up 6%, operating profit up 30%, net income up 57%. Good news, but not something we would normally report. However, hidden among the fifteen pages of financial detail was a single sentence that caught our eyes: “Reflecting the strength of the […]

• David Harris
• April 25, 2018