converted freighter

Avianca bankruptcy exit fuels cargo expansion

A white jet with red accents is loaded with cargo through a side door.

TEMPE, Ariz. — Six months after restructuring and emerging from bankruptcy in a stronger financial position, Latin American airline Avianca announced this week it plans to add up to four aircraft to its freighter fleet as part of a broad growth strategy.

Colombia-based Avianca said Monday it will lease two Airbus A330-300 passenger aircraft, converted to carry containers on the main deck, from CDB Aviation. Officials said they are in negotiations to acquire two more freighters from the Irish...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/avianca-uses-bankruptcy-exit-to-fuel-cargo-busines

EgyptAir orders cargo conversion for 737-800 passenger jet

A white jet with EgyptAir Cargo painted on side with a blue tail lifts off runway.

EgyptAir plans to add the first standard-size cargo jet to its fleet early next year after signing an agreement with Aeronautical Engineers Inc. to reconfigure a used 737-800 passenger plane for dedicated cargo service.

Miami-based AEI said Monday that modification work will begin in October at authorized conversion center Commercial Jet, also in Miami. EgyptAir will own the plane and send it to Miami for installation of a wide cargo door, reinforced flooring and a cargo handling system, and...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/egyptair-orders-cargo-conversion-for-737-800-passenger-je

Saudia selects Mammoth Freighters to convert Boeing 777s for cargo

A large white jet with dark green tail and logo Saudia Cargo on the tarmac.

Saudi Arabian flag carrier Saudia said it will order seven passenger-to-freighter conversions of the Boeing 777-300 from startup aviation engineering firm Mammoth Freighters. The move would double the airline’s freighter fleet, assuming none of the planes are for replacement purposes.

The investment is the latest example of industry confidence in air cargo’s growth potential during the next 20 years and its interest in a new long-haul product that can replace large 747 and MD-11 cargo jets....

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/saudia-selects-mammoth-freighters-to-convert-boeing-777s-for-cargo

Canada’s Cargojet quietly quadruples order for 777 freighters

A Cargojet 767, white body with dark blue tail, comes in for landing with wheels down against cloudy sky.

Cargojet is investing in eight Boeing 777 passenger planes that will be converted to a pure cargo configuration, quadrupling its original order, according to a recent management document presented to shareholders and industry sources.

Canada’s largest all-cargo airline took a step into larger aircraft in November when it announced an agreement to buy the first two 777-200s converted by Mammoth Freighters, an Orlando, Florida-based startup. But the company has not widely broadcast that it now has...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/canadas-cargojet-quietly-quadruples-order-for-777-freighters

Amazon airline ASL orders more Boeing 737-800 converted freighters

A white cargo jet with curved wing tips and blue tail comes in for landing with wheels down on approach. ASL Airlines just ordered 10-to-20 aircraft converted to carry cargo.

ASL Aviation Holdings on Thursday said it placed an order with Boeing to convert up to 20 used 737-800 passenger aircraft to carry freight, doubling down on a fleet modernization strategy to support the growth of customers such as Amazon, FedEx and DHL.

The agreement is for 10 firm orders and options for 10 additional 737-800s. If the Dublin-based aviation services company exercises all purchase rights, it will eventually operate 40 of the narrowbody converted freighters from Boeing. The new...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/amazon-airline-asl-orders-more-boeing-737-800-converted-freighters

Will exuberance for air cargo conversions create freighter glut?

A plane on struts in maintenance hanger.

A surge of passenger-to-freighter aircraft conversions in response to heightened shipping activity since the pandemic is raising questions about whether the boom cycle can be sustained or will lead to oversupply that lowers lease and freight rates.

The number of aircraft reconfigured for main-deck cargo storage is estimated to exceed 180 by 2025, a 150% increase compared to the average annual production of 70 units last decade, according to a recent analysis by AeroDynamic Advisory. Thirty years...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/will-exuberance-for-air-cargo-conversions-create-freighter-glut

DHL Express to add 6 A321 converted freighters operated by SmartLynx

A white plane with gold rear section takes off.

Latvian contract carrier SmartLynx Airlines is adding six Airbus A321 converted freighters, bringing the total number of the aircraft type in its fleet to 14 in 2023. Company officials say they want to be the largest operator of the new freighter, which is gaining popularity as a highly capable, fuel efficient asset for short-haul and regional express services.

Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW), a partnership between Airbus and Singapore’s ST Engineering, announced Wednesday it will structurally modify...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/dhl-express-to-add-6-a321-converted-freighters-operated-by-smartlynx

Sichuan Airlines to receive 1st A330 converted freighters built in China

A white-and-red Sichuan Airlines jet on the tarmac.

Two Chinese carriers have committed to lease Airbus A330 converted freighters that will be produced in China by aerospace manufacturer Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW), a joint venture between Airbus and Singapore’s ST Engineering.

CBD Aviation, the Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank, on Tuesday announced the order of 12 additional A330 passenger-to-freighter conversions from EFW. It said it will lease two retrofitted A330-300s to Chengdu-based Sichuan Airlines and one to Jiangxi Cargo Airlines...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/sichuan-airlines-to-receive-1st-a330-converted-freighters-built-in-china

AEI certifications enable more 737-800 converted freighter sales

A side view close up a white cargo jet with Chrono Aviation logo.

Aeronautical Engineers Inc., an aerospace engineering firm that designs and licenses kits to convert used passenger aircraft into cargo jets, has received two new certifications for its Boeing 737-800 product that open the door for more sales. 

Transport Canada has approved a supplemental type certificate for its version of the 737-800 converted freighter, the Miami-based company said Monday. 

An STC is an approval to carry out a modification on a particular aircraft type that aviation...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/aei-certifications-enable-more-737-800-converted-freighter-sales

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