AA accelerates fleet retirements, frees up feedstock

• Jeff Lee
• March 17, 2020
• Aircraft, Capacity & Demand, Carriers, Conversions, Engines, Equipment, Narrowbody Conversions, News, Strategy

American Airlines’ plans to accelerate the retirement of its older aircraft in light of the sharp drop in passenger traffic due to the COVID-19 pandemic will result in a feedstock situation that could be attractive for those looking to add 757 freighters. Apart from cutting much of its international traffic, Doug Parker, CEO of American […]

AVIC forecasts China’s jet freighter fleet to triple by 2038

• Charles Kauffman
• December 5, 2019
• Aircraft, Carriers, Equipment, Express, Freighter Fleet Analysis, News

The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) forecasts China’s jet freighter fleet to more than triple over the next twenty years, growing to 723 units, up from 161 today. While the company expects narrowbody freighters to comprise the bulk of the fleet in 2038 when an expected 330 units will be in service, large and […]

Widebody freighter aircraft transactions surge in October 2019

• Charles Kauffman
• November 25, 2019
• All Posts, Freighter Aircraft Transactions, News

Of the 73 transactions Cargo Facts recorded in October 2019, 46 involved widebody freighters. Although 30 of those transactions included orders and options related to lessor GECAS’ launch order for IAI’s 777-300ERSF, widebody freighter deliveries and placements also accelerated during the period, perhaps unsurprisingly ahead of peak season.    A total of four 777Fs were delivered during the period – two to Qatar […]

SF Express earmarks $212 million for aircraft purchases in latest bond offer

• Charles Kauffman
• November 22, 2019
• Aircraft, All Posts, Conversions, Equipment, Narrowbody Conversions, Widebody Conversions

This week, Shenzhen-based SF Holdings, the parent of SF Express and SF Airlines, announced the issuance of six-year convertible bonds in hopes of raising US$825 million (5.8 billion yuan). Of this amount, the largest allocation, some $212 million, will go towards aviation-related expenses including maintenance of SF Airlines’ existing freighter fleet, and to fund the […]

SF Airlines on track to add 60th freighter in 2020

• Charles Kauffman
• November 6, 2019
• Aircraft, Conversions, Equipment, Narrowbody Conversions

Shenzhen-based SF Airlines has lined up three 757-200s for conversion with Precision Aircraft Solutions, and now stands to bring the total number of freighters in its own-controlled fleet to 60 units by early 2020. In September, SF Airlines took redelivery of its 57th freighter with the arrival of a 757-200PCF (29941, ex-TUI Airways). Three other […]

Movers and shakers: Amazon and Chinese Express (global express fleet – Part II)

• Charles Kauffman
• October 16, 2019
• Express Fleet Analysis, Freighter Fleet Analysis, News

Yesterday, in part I, we began our four-part analysis of the worldwide express freighter fleet.  Today in Part II, we’ll examine the fleets of relative newcomers to the industry, such as Amazon, SF Airlines and YTO Cargo Airlines. Tomorrow, Part III continues with a company-by-company overview of the three largest integrators, FedEx, UPS and DHL, […]

E-commerce drives larger, increasingly modern fleet (global express fleet – Part I)

• Charles Kauffman
• October 15, 2019
• Express Fleet Analysis, Freighter Fleet Analysis

Today, we begin a four-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, […]

Speakers from ATR and SF Express to speak at Cargo Facts Symposium

• Charles Kauffman
• October 4, 2019

In just a few weeks, Gilles Collaveri, asset manager & freighter director at ATR and George Li, group vice president of SF Express and president of SF Airlines will speak at  Cargo Facts Symposium 2019. Don’t miss your chance to join us Oct. 16-18 at the Intercontinental San Diego. Collaveri is currently in charge of the […]