Cargo Facts Connect: Recent Episodes
Cargo Facts
Cargo Facts Connect addresses all things freighters and aircraft. Connect delves into what's new in freighter transactions, belly capacity trends, conversion activity and aircraft finance. Brought to you by Cargo Facts, long the industry's leading information resource on freighter aircraft, Cargo Facts Connect gets you inside the freighter business.
Cargo Facts has been the newsletter of record of the air cargo and freighter aircraft industries for over 40 years. Cargo Facts, published by Royal Media, provides its readers with timely, actionable news and industry intelligence. The deep value in Cargo Facts centers on its detailed coverage of the market and exploration of every nuance of air cargo and freighter aircraft.
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Cargo Facts produces the following leading industry events: Cargo Facts EMEA, Cargo Facts Asia and the Cargo Facts Symposium.
In this episode, hear from Luis Ramos, founder and chief executive of Awesome Cargo.
The Mexico-based startup is in the certification process and nearing its AOC. It has leased two 2011-vintage A330-200s from Air Lease Corp. and plans to operate them in the Medius Class E cargo configuration from U.K.-based Avensis Aviation ahead of full-freighter conversion.
Awesome Cargo registered its first A330-200 (1218, ex-Alitalia) in Mexico in June. The carrier intends to introduce 737-800 freighters in the months ahead, Ramos said.
Ramos is also CEO of aviation services company Aerocharter, which has been helping freighter airlines transition to Mexico City’s new Felipe Angeles International Airport (NLU) and handles most cargo operations there.
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced last week that the FAA will soon restore Mexico to Category 1 status, allowing Mexican carriers to launch new routes to the United States again. Mexico was downgraded to Category 2 in May 2021.
“We’re very thankful for the Mexican government and the [Federal Civil Aviation Agency] for moving as quickly as they have in the midst of everything that’s going on with the FAA and getting back to Category 1,” Ramos said. “We’re very thankful and we finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Tune in to this week’s podcast as Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee discusses these topics and more with Ramos.
In this episode, hear from Bob Weiss, director of 737 and 767 BCFs at Boeing Global Services.
Boeing continues to diversify its conversion locations, with the Joramco facility in Jordan announcing this week that it will host a conversion line for the 737-800BCF program, joining other upcoming sites like KF Aerospace in Canada and GMR Aero Technic in India.
After redelivering its 100th 737-800BCF last year, Boeing has also hit other milestones on its narrowbody conversion program in 2023, including the twentieth at GAMECO and the seventieth at STAECO.
Meanwhile, Boeing also marked the fifteenth anniversary of its 767-300BCF program this year.
Tune in to this week’s podcast as Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee discusses these topics and more with Weiss, who will speak on a panel covering the freighter conversion market at Cargo Facts Symposium in October.
In this episode, hear from Cristian Sutter, chief executive of U.K.-based Avensis Aviation, which offers a range of cargo modifications for Airbus widebodies.
Avensis most recently launched a full-freighter conversion for the A340 with German startup Universal Sky Carrier, a project that is entering an advanced stage of development, Sutter said.
In the meantime, Avensis has obtained certification for its reversible Class E modification on the A330-200 and -300.
Tune in as Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee speaks with Sutter about these projects and more in this week’s podcast.
In this episode, hear from Carlos Cock, chief executive of Miami-based Xtreme Aviation, which celebrated its tenth anniversary in the city last week.
Xtreme expanded into the freighter leasing segment when it acquired its first 737-300F in 2022 and has worked with carriers in Latin America, including Colombia-based Aerosucre and Dominican Republic-based Sky High.
The company last year also completed its first PEMCO 737-300F conversion at its facility in Opa-Locka (OPF) and is looking to further develop its freighter conversion capability.
Additionally, Cock told Cargo Facts that Xtreme recently acquired K&J Aviation, a Miami-based engine maintenance company.
“We’ve seen the market necessity for additional engine shops, and it’s just the right fit to everything else that we’re doing now,” Cock said. “So, we went ahead and made this acquisition, and we’re going to be growing the company in the near future.”
Tune in as Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee speaks to Cock about all this and more in this week’s podcast.
In this episode, hear from Pete Chareonwongsak, chief executive of Teleport, the logistics unit of Capital A, as the company unveiled its first A321 freighter on lease from BBAM in a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur on July 12.
Teleport says it already is the largest air logistics network in Southeast Asia but has ambitious plans for further growth with its incoming fleet of freighters.
“This freighter allows us to carry more, do more, and cover more,” Chareonwongsak said in a speech at the ceremony. “It used to take us thirty minutes to load 500 pieces — now it will take us just two minutes. We can carry more: from small things to big things; from dangerous things to live things.
“This freighter will cover more to connect the rest of Southeast Asia better and take Southeast Asia to Asia Pacific,” he said. “This is why the A321 freighter is the best in its class.”
Tune in for a discussion between Chareonwongsak and Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee.
This week’s episode of the “Cargo Facts Connect” podcast focuses on the potential bankruptcy of Western Global Airlines and the impending strike by the UPS Teamsters union.
With this week’s news that Western Global is inching closer to bankruptcy Cargo Facts looks at the airline’s fleet in more detail, addressing signs of the potential collapse and what might happen next with the Western Global fleet.
Meanwhile, the UPS Teamsters union issued its demands for a last-and-best offer from the Louisville, Ky.-based logistics giant. As a strike looms, what are the possible ramifications for the industry? Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Andrew Crider discuss.
Tune in for a podcast discussion of these topics and more for the week ending June 30, 2023.
In this week’s episode of the “Cargo Facts Connect” podcast, hear a discussion on highlights from the Paris Air Show, including orders for 737-800BCFs from Air Algerie and NAC, a massive deal for 500 passenger Airbus narrowbodies from IndiGo and an update to Boeing’s and Airbus’ market outlooks.
At the show, Embraer also unveiled plans to begin conversions for its E-Jet family in China, a significant step for the new program.
Tune in for a discussion by Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee, Senior Associate Editor Robert Luke and Associate Editor Andrew Crider of these topics and more for the week ending June 23, 2023.
In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee, Senior Associate Editor Robert Luke and Associate Editor Andrew Crider discuss two items relating to Cebu Pacific Air and a trend in feedstock for A330 conversions.
Cebu Pacific has reactivated 50% of its freighter fleet, sending one of its two ATR 72-500Fs to an MRO in Vietnam for C check after being out of service for over a year. Also, a former Cebu Pacific aircraft is undergoing conversion and is destined to join Mexico-based Mas. That A330-300P2F is among the youngest to be converted and brings improved capabilities to the market. More young aircraft are entering the conversion pipeline.
Luke also shares an update on Denver-based Crestone Air Partners.
Tune in for a discussion of these topics and more for the week ending June 16, 2023.
In the 100th episode this week, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss a conversion milestone for Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW), a new 737-800BCF operator in Turkey and MD-11 retirements.
This week marked EFW’s fiftieth redelivery of its latest generation of Airbus conversions with an A330-300P2F for DHL Express. EFW has redelivered seventeen A330-300P2Fs, nine A330-200P2Fs and twenty-four A321-200P2Fs and A320-200P2Fs, the STC holder confirmed to Cargo Facts.
ULS Airlines Cargo in Turkey made the decision to add 737-800BCFs, notable given the airline’s previous interest to add A321s. The acquisition is a sign that 737-800 freighters are more readily available.
Lastly, FedEx and UPS continue to send MD-11Fs to Victorville for storage or retirement, marking the impending end of an era for the three-engined aircraft among legacy carriers.
The editors end by looking ahead to the second half of 2023.
Tune in for a discussion of these topics and more for the week ending June 9, 2023.
In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss a new partnership between Brazilian carrier Azul and e-commerce giant Amazon to provide cargo operations in northern Brazil. Meanwhile, a series of Boeing additions drove freighter transactions in Asia and the 757 platform continues to generate interest.
Tune in for a discussion on these topics and more for the week ended Nov. 18, 2022.
In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss Silk Way West’s intention to use the 777-8F as part of its plan to replace the Queen of the Skies, Asia Cargo Network’s plan to place a number of 737NG and 767 freighters with its Middle Eastern AOC, and more 737-800BCFs joining North American operators.
Additionally, the cargo drone industry continues to see more investments and first flights.
Tune in for a discussion of these topics and more for the week ended Nov. 11, 2022.
In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss a string of new entries into the drone market, with launch orders for products from Dufour Aerospace and Sabrewing.
Meanwhile, Global Crossing Airlines is nearing the delivery and entry into service of its first two A321Fs, which will join the fleet before the end of the year, and another lessor is entering the A321F segment. Tune in for a discussion of these topics and more for the week ended Nov. 4, 2022.
In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Andrew Crider look back on some of the highlights from Cargo Facts Symposium 2022, and discuss the 777F vs A350F panel, the current state of conversions and the impact of regional freighters on the global air cargo market.
Additionally, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has engaged electrical power on its first 777-300ERSF prototype after its conversion, meaning IAI is on track for its anticipated first flight in November. Tune in for a discussion of these topics and more for the week ended Oct. 28, 2022.
In this week’s episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss the upcoming Cargo Facts Symposium taking place at the InterContinental in San Diego on Oct 19-21.
This year's Symposium will feature a fireside chat with Peter Corfitsen, chief executive of Maersk Air Cargo. The team gives a glimpse into the most highly anticipated panels on the agenda, including one on the large-widebody segment and another on the state of freighter leasing. Listen in for news on this upcoming event.
In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss a week of milestones for the freighter aircraft industry.
The first milestone was the first flight of an all-new aircraft type. with Eviation’s Alice aircraft becoming the world's first fully electric aircraft to take flight. The aircraft promises to have a cargo variant and has secured DHL as a launch customer.
The editors then turn to Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Xtreme Aviation, which have also made firsts of their own.
In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss FedEx reactivating vintage trijet airframes ahead of peak season. The once-parked freighters will step in for several 757s, which will take their place in the desert.
The editors then discuss a number of new aircraft — both manned and unmanned — that have passed, or are approaching, major milestones in their development, representing the future of the air cargo market.
In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss a potential new regional cargo operator in South Korea, with Hi Air planning to use as many as six ATR 72-500Fs. The airline will pair up with a company called Caelum that is looking to convert ATRs to start, but which may even move on to A321s and A330s.
The team then turns to regional growth in Southeast Asia, with Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia all featuring in Cargo Facts stories this week.
In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss the state of the used-aircraft market, and how current market conditions are affecting business in the freighter conversion space.
The team addresses the certification this week of a new A330 Class E modification product and evaluate it alongside another program currently in development. Listen as the editors assess the two programs, their customers and how much business can be expected for both products.
In this week’s episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss a week of growth for both UPS and FedEx, which continue to expand their freighter fleets with Boeing widebody aircraft.
Elsewhere, e-commerce has led to further 737 freighter adoption in China, with two airlines joining the maindeck market and announcing the start of 737-800BCF operations. The team also takes a quick look at some upcoming A321F redeliveries.
Meanwhile, the mysterious use of cargo aircraft in conflict areas also causes major developments in the geopolitical landscape.
In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss 737-800 freighter transactions involving companies like GOL, Texel Air and Northern Air Cargo.
The team then turns to Boeing’s medium widebody, with SF Airlines, DHL and Cargo Aircraft Management continuing their conversions and a new player moving into 767 freighters. Meanwhile, two different airlines are supplementing their regional fleets by taking delivery of Saab 340B aircraft.
In this week’s episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss an incident involving a Qatar Airways 777F, which took damage after colliding with a pole at Chicago’s O'Hare Airport (ORD). The team then turns to AerCap’s placement of 95% of its twenty 777-300ERSF conversions, as well as a series of A321 developments before looking at a breakdown of Q2’s transactions and the new Alia eVTOL aircraft from Beta Technologies.
In this week’s episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss the breaking news of Atlas Air’s acquisition by Apollo Global Management and others. The team then looks at other developments involving major operators or large widebody freighters, including UPS holding two more options for the venerable 747-8F and Air Canada ordering the 777F.
In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss a couple more tidbits from Farnborough. They then look at recent 767 developments before turning to the Queen of the Skies.
In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee speaks with Jim Edgar, senior consultant of Cargo Facts Consulting, about Edgar’s memories from previous versions of the Farnborough International Airshow. Listen as the two also discuss some of the week’s major highlights, like Cargolux endorsing the 777-8F, De Havilland’s new freighter conversions, 737-800BCF orders and more.
In this week’s episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss hype leading up to this year’s Farnborough Airshow, which Cargo Facts will be attending to provide breaking news coverage for our readers and listeners.
The editorial team then look at the potential for more 777-8F and A350F orders, as well as continued interest in the 757 and A330, both having a number of interesting developments this week.
In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss Spicejet suffering repeat safety issues and the imminent growth of India’s freighter fleet. They then look at Raya Airways’ expansion into Airbus narrowbodies, 737NG freighters in Georgia and three new 767-300Fs that have now found a home.
In this episode, Cargo Facts Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke start with systems upgrades and more 777 conversion news. They then discuss two items published this week, including our magazine feature where the team went in depth with a number of manufacturers who are bringing products and new aircraft to the emerging cargo drone space, as well as a mid-year overview of freighter aircraft deliveries and redeliveries, featuring commentary from Cargo Facts Consulting.
In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Andrew Crider discuss updates to the 777-300ERCF and A350F programs, as well as a flurry of 737 transactions.
The editors then take a look at increased developments for the An-225 rebuild project and a mysterious 747 Classic that has arisen from the dead amid a flurry of pop-culture references.
In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss rumors that Boeing is exploring adding a 787 freighter type to its portfolio; European Aviation Group’s new company and pursuit of an A340 cargo STC; and YTO Cargo Airlines’ plans to start flying the ARJ21 freighter conversion later in 2022.
The editors also talk briefly about some MRO developments involving both narrowbodies and widebodies.
In this episode, Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke are joined by Kelly Stroh, associate editor of sister publication Air Cargo World, who shares takeaways from the inaugural Air Cargo Tech Summit in Miami. Crider and Luke then move on to look at more 737NG freighters heading to operators based in South Korea.
In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss aid delivery using drones, Emirates converting its own 777 feedstock into freighters and IAI’s first 737-800BDSF conversion at Atitech in Italy.
Crider also checks in from West Virginia after conducting a humanitarian relief flight in his own aircraft.
In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss another 737 Classic freighter on the move, Avianca adding A330-300P2Fs to its fleet and testing A321F operations, and LATAM making headlines with its medium-widebody additions.
In this episode, Cargo Facts Associate Editor Andrew Crider and Cargo Facts Consulting Managing Director Frederic Horst discuss the post-pandemic outlook for the freighter market, the economic impact on the industry’s growth, the strength of international express, and the growth of the narrowbody and widebody segments.
In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss several news items that emerged from Cargo Facts EMEA in Dubai, including Astral Aviation’s A330P2F plans and updates on conversions, lessors and operators. The editors then look at other developments that added to what was already a busy week.
In this episode, Cargo Facts Deputy Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss several news items from this week, including Airbus narrowbody and widebody conversions, earnings released by Atlas Air and ATSG, and updates on Ukraine. The editors then look ahead to Cargo Facts EMEA in Dubai next week.
In this episode, Deputy Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss several of the week’s news items, including Icelandair’s first 767-300BCF preparing for conversion with the second one to follow later in May, and firm orders for three 777-300ERCF conversions announced at this week’s MRO Americas event in Dallas.
In this episode, Cargo Facts Deputy Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Andrew Crider discuss how e-commerce giant Mercado Libre continues to shake up the freighter fleets of Latin American carriers. They then look at how a number of 737-300F and -400F developments created a banner week for the 737 Classic family.
In this episode, Cargo Facts Deputy Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Andrew Crider discuss a couple of freighter milestones this week, including GlobalX’s first A321P2F having its door cut and another A350F commitment being finalized. The editors then look ahead to leads they will be exploring next week, a few of which involve 737NG freighters.
In this episode, Cargo Facts Deputy Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Andrew Crider discuss 737 fleet developments in Asia and Europe before turning to look at the continued shakeup of the medium-widebody fleet.
In this episode, Deputy Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Andrew Crider discuss the continuing uptake of 737-800Fs. They then take a look at a curious announcement about A340-600s before turning to a brief update on freighters in Russia.
In this episode, Cargo Facts Deputy Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Andrew Crider are joined by Jim Edgar, senior consultant with Cargo Facts Consulting, to continue a discussion on the competition brewing between the A350F and the 777-8F.
In this episode, Cargo Facts Deputy Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Andrew Crider discuss some new 737 operators and provide an overview of the 737-800 freighter fleet as it expands in most of the world but contracts as a result of the outbreak of war in Ukraine.
In this episode, Deputy Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Andrew Crider discuss a new facility by Vallair and more A330 conversions for ATSG. They also look at 737s in a recap of the news for the week ended Feb. 25.
In this episode, Deputy Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Andrew Crider discuss widebody news from the Singapore Airshow and look at the A321 freighter. They also look ahead at some upcoming new operators in the A321F and 737-800F space.
In this episode, Deputy Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Andrew Crider are joined by Jim Edgar, senior consultant at Cargo Facts Consulting, to discuss Boeing’s new 777-8F and its rival, Airbus’ new A350F. They also look at the large widebody segment more generally and the potential effect Boeing’s new offering will have on the market.
In this episode, Senior Editor Charles Kauffman and Deputy Editor Jeff Lee look at recent additions to the Amazon Air fleet and discuss the status of 767 freighter-introduction plans that are underway at Air Canada and YTO Cargo Airlines. The duo also takes a look at some upcoming redeliveries of A321 family and 757 freighter conversions.
In this episode, Senior Editor Charles Kauffman and Deputy Editor Jeff Lee discuss some of the highlights from the Dubai Airshow, which saw orders and commitments announced for forty-one freighter aircraft, including ten new-build, thirteen widebody conversions and eighteen narrowbody conversions. The editors also discuss CMA CGM’s ever-evolving air cargo strategy.
In this episode, Senior Editor Charles Kauffman and Deputy Editor Jeff Lee take a look at Airbus’ A350F unveil, and revisit two parked 747-8Fs that have been long overdue for reactivation. The editors also discuss their varying expectations for next week’s Dubai Airshow.
In this special in-studio recording of Cargo Facts Connect, Charles Kauffman, Jeff Lee and guest Caryn Livingston review some of this week’s stories that are revealing the trends and topics that will feature heavily at Cargo Facts Symposium 2021 next week. The editors also discuss the industry’s burning questions that will come into focus during next week’s event, our first live and in-person event since early 2020.
In this episode, Cargo Facts Senior Editor Charles Kauffman and Associate Editor Jeff Lee explore recent developments across the 777 freighter conversion and modification landscape, and discuss what is known so far about operator commitments to freighter-converted 777s.
In this episode of Cargo Facts Connect, Senior Editor Charles Kauffman and Associate Editor Jeff Lee look at Air Wisconsin’s CRJ freighter plans and discuss whether passenger ACMI carriers will find appealing opportunities in air cargo over the long run.
In this episode, Cargo Facts Consulting Senior Consultant Jim Edgar joins Charles Kauffman and Jeff Lee to share his insight into how major combination carriers view their cargo divisions, and what additional outside investment may mean for freighter fleets worldwide.
In this episode, Senior Editor Charles Kauffman and Associate Editor Jeff Lee discuss Bluebird Nordic’s ambition to become a major player in the European 737 ACMI market, and the integrators and e-tailers driving narrowbody freighter fleet renewal and growth across Europe.
In this episode, Cargo Facts Associate Editor Jeff Lee and Cargo Facts Consulting Managing Director Frederic Horst look at what the A350F means for Airbus and discuss the prospects, as well as the challenges, for the freighter in the large widebody segment.
In this episode of Cargo Facts Connect, Senior Editor Charles Kauffman and Associate Editor Jeff Lee take a look at incoming 737-800 freighters and discuss fleet trends in what is currently the second-largest market for 737NG freighters, Mainland China.
FedEx Express, already the largest operator of the 767, firmed up options late last month to purchase twenty additional 767-300Fs from Boeing. In this episode, Senior Editor Charles Kauffman and Associate Editor Jeff Lee take another look at the integrator’s 767 order and options, and discuss the medium widebody freighter’s prospects more generally.
In this Cargo Facts Weekly Wrap, Senior Editor Charles Kauffman and Associate Editor Jeff Lee discuss some of the 747s being returned to service and routes that are still favorable to cargo-only operations with equipment other than a purpose-built or converted freighter. On the narrowbody front, the pair discusses the demand for 757-200 conversions, following a four-unit 757-200 freighter conversion order from BlackRock.
In this episode of Cargo Facts Connect, Senior Editor Charles Kauffman and Associate Editor Jeff Lee recap some of the major highlights from this year's Cargo Facts EMEA event, including Astral Aviation adding the 757 platform to its fleet, Bluebird Nordic looking to make the transition to NGs, and Texel Air ordering a second 737-800BCF conversion. They then take a closer look at Cargolux, which has long been an all-747 operator but is thinking about its future fleet development.
In this episode, Senior Editor Charles Kauffman and Associate Editor Jeff Lee highlight recent A321 freighter conversion developments. They then look at the first DHL 767-200F transfer to 21 Air and discuss 767 CMI operations more generally.
In this episode, Jim Edgar, Senior Consultant of Cargo Facts Consulting, joins Cargo Facts Associate Editor Jeff Lee to to reflect on some key themes from this week’s Cargo Facts Asia virtual event. They then discuss the unprecedented demand for freighter aircraft, before turning to the race between Airbus and Boeing for the next large widebody freighter.
In this episode, Senior Editor Charles Kauffman and Associate Editor Jeff Lee look at another couple of 747-400Fs that could soon leave the desert, take stock of the stored 747 freighter fleet and discuss how freighter-converted 777-300Fs might fit into the market.
In this Weekly Wrap, Cargo Facts editors Charles Kauffman and Jeff Lee look back at last week’s developments involving CargoLogicAir, Ethiopian Airlines and MNG Airlines, highlighting the relentless demand for medium-widebody freighters. Their discussion takes a look at why 767s make sense for CLA and the peculiarities of the Ethiopian deal, before turning to MNG’s move away from production A330s.
In this episode of Cargo Facts Connect, Senior Editor Charles Kauffman and Associate Editor Jeff Lee revisit cargo-only operations using passenger aircraft over the past year, and discuss the longevity of and outlook for pax-freighter operations.
In this episode, Charles Kauffman and Jeff Lee discuss the current state of parked 747 freighters, and look at how 737-800 fleet modernization in mainland China and elsewhere is giving 737 Classics a second life.
In this episode, Senior Editor Charles Kauffman and Associate Editor Jeff Lee look at some of the implications of the AerCap-GECAS merger on the freighter market. They then discuss Amazon’s decision to up its stake in ATSG to around 19.5%, before ending with a few of the week’s top freighter aircraft transactions.
In this episode, Senior Editor Charles Kauffman and Associate Editor Jeff Lee discuss this week's conversion orders, EFW's A320P2F program, and Lufthansa Cargo's 777F plans.
In this episode, Cargo Facts Senior Editor Charles Kauffman and Jim Edgar, senior consultant of Cargo Facts Consulting, discuss the GE90's exclusivity on the 777F and how cargo operators were taken into consideration when Boeing decided on engines for the 777 and 747-400 freighters.
In this episode, Senior Editor Charles Kauffman and Associate Editor Jeff Lee discuss where the four A330-200Fs that Qatar Airways has removed from service may end up. They also look back at the A330-200F program and compare it with freighter-converted A330s.
In this episode, Frederic Horst, managing director of Cargo Facts Consulting, and Cargo Facts' Senior Editor Charles Kauffman take another look at passenger freighters in an Industry Pulse webinar.
In this Cargo Facts Connect episode, Senior Editor Charles Kauffman and Associate Editor Jeff Lee reflect on freighter news from the first two weeks of 2021.
In this Cargo Facts Connect episode, Senior Editor Charles Kauffman and Associate Editor Jeff Lee discuss sales and package volumes related to Alibaba’s Singles Day sale, and reflect on freighter news from this week, fueled by long-term e-commerce growth.
This episode features the Fireside Chat session with ATSG President and CEO Rich Corrado during this year's virtual Cargo Facts Symposium.
In this edition of the Weekly Wrap, Cargo Facts Editors Charles Kauffman and Jeff Lee are joined by Jim Edgar, senior consultant of Cargo Facts Consulting, to recap the major takeaways from this year’s Cargo Facts Symposium.
In this Cargo Facts Connect episode, Senior Editor Charles Kauffman and Associate Editor Jeff Lee discuss the latest developments around the A321F and look ahead to next week.
In this Cargo Facts Connect episode, Deputy Editor Caryn Livingston and Associate Editor Jeff Lee discuss the new ATR freighter that made its first flight this week, and provide an update on cargo-only operations using passenger aircraft.
From its early days of launching a trial network in the fall of 2015, Amazon Air has quickly built up its network of own-controlled capacity, and is on track to operate a fleet of at least eighty-one aircraft by the end of 2021.
In this Cargo Facts Connect episode, Jeff Lee and Charles Kauffman discuss Amazon’s initial trial operations with ATSG and Northern Air Cargo, and look at the evolution of the Amazon Air fleet.
In this Aug. 21, 2020 episode of the Cargo Facts Weekly Wrap, editors discuss some recent 747 freighter transaction volume and other industry highlights of the week, including new prospects for freighter fleet growth in Southeast Asia.
In this episode of Cargo Facts Connect, we speak with Ned Wallace, president of Wallace Air Cargo Group, which manages worldwide scheduled and charter marketing and sales for Kalitta.
For a cargo carrier like U.S.-based Kalitta Air, which specializes in ACMI and charter operations, the COVID-19 pandemic and its ensuing capacity crunch has resulted in extremely high fleet utilization, as shippers and forwarders have turned to freighter operators for help in flying their freight.
Of course, one factor working in Kalitta’s favor is its large freighter fleet. In addition to nine 767-300BDSFs and three 777Fs, the carrier has ten 747-400BCFs and fourteen production 747-400Fs, adding some sorely needed capacity to the market, even if not all are available for charters.
The largest lessor of 767Fs by portfolio size, U.S.-based Cargo Aircraft Management (CAM) continues to convert 767-300ERs and is on track to place at least ten 767Fs on dry-leases with customers UPS and Amazon over the course of 2020.
While the majority of CAM’s 767F portfolio is currently deployed to carriers based in, or operating in the United States, CAM and its parent ATSG see opportunities outside of the United States for 767F flying. The path to placing more 767Fs on international AOC’s may mean additional investments in global companies.
In terms of market reach, “We do look to, to broaden ourselves out,” said Mike Berger, chief commercial officer of ATSG. Southeast Asian countries including Malaysia, South Korea, Vietnam and Indonesia offer potential for expanded medium widebody freighter operations, he added.
CAM already dry leases aircraft to customers based in Southeast Asia, and to Europe through its affiliate ATSG West Leasing.
Recognizing the company’s current North American focus, “We're very interested in furthering our scope outside the U.S., said Berger. “We look forward to that not only in 2020, but the next coming years.”
To hear more from Berger, download and listen to this podcast. This Cargo Facts Connect episode is an excerpt from an interview recorded on site at Cargo Facts EMEA earlier this month in Frankfurt. Mike Berger, Chief Commercial Officer of ATSG offers a look at global opportunities for the 767F.
Today we speak with Frederic Horst, managing director of Cargo Facts Consulting. Horst will be presenting on European express and e-commerce trends at Cargo Facts EMEA, scheduled for Feb. 3-5 at the Westin Grand Frankfurt.
In this episode, we’ll be discussing developments with DHL’s Latin America hub in Panama. DHL’s subsidiary carrier, DHL AeroExpreso currently operates two 737-400Fs and four 757-200Fs in express service, and is preparing to add to the fleet its first medium-widebody freighter, a 767-300F.
Miami-based AEI has developed P2F Supplemental Type Certificates for ten jet models throughout its history. The company’s 737-800 SF program, announced in April 2014, was the first conversion program launched for an NG narrowbody In February of this year, the 737-800SF was certified by the FAA and subsequently redelivered to launch operator Ethiopian Airlines earlier this year.
In this inaugural episode of Cargo Facts Connect, we sit down with Bob Convey, SVP Sales & Marketing, AEI to discuss some of the key factors that drive program development, and considerations for timing the launch of a new program.