Cargojet postpones more 777 freighters, tightens belt as shipments slow

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Cargojet, which operates an extensive middle-mile air cargo network in Canada for express delivery...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/cargojet-postpones-more-777-freighters-tightens-belt-as-shipments-slow

Selection nears for DHL Express’ US West Coast air hub

A mustard-yellow DHL plane loading cargo at an airport. View from behind the plane.

WASHINGTON — DHL Express expects to open a new aircraft ramp and package sortation center in Atlanta by mid-October and announce its first major West Coast air hub in January to keep up with growing cargo volumes, said Mike Parra, CEO of the Americas.

Construction of the regional hub at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport has been slowed by COVID impacts on laborers, permitting challenges and steel shortages, management previously said. The updated start date slipped an extra...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/selection-nears-for-dhl-express-us-west-coast-air-hub

Vietnam Airlines to start freighter unit, convert A321s to cargo jets

A teal-colored Vietnam Airlines jet lifts off from runway.

Vietnam Airlines plans to send used passenger planes to Air Transport Services Group for conversion into cargo jets as it prepares to create a freighter division and capture more intra-Asia freight growth, the U.S.-based company disclosed Friday.

The small deal is noteworthy on two levels. It is another example of passenger airlines moving more aggressively to take advantage of cargo opportunities triggered by the pandemic. And it reinforces how ATSG, the largest lessor of freighter aircraft, is...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/vietnam-airlines-to-start-freighter-unit-convert-a321s-to-cargo-jets

Texas leasing company goes bonkers for Boeing 737-800 converted freighter

Rear view of a commercial jet parked at the terminal with a cargo container sitting on the tarmac.

Aero Capital Solutions, which specializes in leasing midlife narrowbody aircraft, never had a freighter in its fleet during its first 10 years in business. The new investment strategy calls for 40 Boeing 737-800 passenger-to-freighter conversions.

The Austin, Texas-based lessor on Monday announced its fourth order with Aeronautical Engineering Systems Inc. for an additional six conversions of the standard jet. The company initially ordered four reconfigured aircraft in October 2020, bought 10...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/texas-leasing-company-goes-bonkers-for-boeing-737-800-converted-freighter

UPS, pilots tentatively agree to extend contract 2 years

UPS "brown tails" lined up at an airport.

The union representing more than 3,300 UPS pilots has reached a tentative agreement with the express delivery company on a two-year contract extension, both sides separately announced late Tuesday. If approved by rank-and-file members of the Independent Pilots Association, the deal will ensure UPS and its customers of uninterrupted deliveries related to labor issues through Sept. 1, 2025.

UPS (NYSE: UPS) said terms of the updated contract include annual wage increases and enhanced pension...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ups-pilots-tentatively-agree-on-2-year-contract-extension

Singapore Airlines to fly 777 freighters under DHL’s wing

A mustard DHL plane and a white Singapore Airlines plane in a split screen.

Singapore Airlines will operate five Boeing 777 freighters for DHL Express under a long-term deal to expand the express carrier’s intercontinental air network and meet high demand for express shipping between Asia and the U.S.

Under the outsourcing arrangement announced Thursday, DHL will provide the aircraft and Singapore Airlines will be responsible for the crew, maintenance and insurance. The planes will wear a dual white-and-gold livery similar to other DHL contract carriers such as Southern...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/singapore-airlines-to-fly-777-freighters-under-dhls-wing

Textron completes 1st SkyCourier feeder freighter for FedEx

A high-wing turboprop in earth tone color lands on runway.

FedEx Express could take possession of the Cessna SkyCourier by midyear after Textron Aviation completed the first production unit of the cargo turboprop at its manufacturing facility in Wichita, Kansas.

Textron (NYSE: TXT) celebrated the rollout of the purpose-built freighter on Friday. It will be delivered to launch customer FedEx following certification by the Federal Aviation Administration, which is anticipated in the first half of 2022. FedEx has agreed to purchase up to 100 aircraft, with...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/textron-completes-1st-skycourier-feeder-freighter-for-fedex

Blizzard cripples US air cargo operations

Planes on the tarmac in snowy weather.

A major winter storm moving through the eastern half of the U.S. is snarling express delivery and air cargo operations, with carriers grounding aircraft and shutting terminals in many airports due to hazardous conditions.

FedEx Express (NYSE: FDX) said in a service bulletin that it experienced substantial disruptions overnight at its Memphis, Tennessee, and Indianapolis hubs due to freezing rain and snow, respectively. 

“Potential delays are possible for package deliveries across the U.S. with a...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/blizzard-cripples-us-air-cargo-operations

Amazon Air begins daily express delivery to Wichita, Kansas

A white propeller plane with Prime Air lettering in light blue.

Amazon Air has expanded its network into Kansas for the first time with the opening of a regional gateway facility at Wichita Eisenhower National Airport, as it continues a relentless push to bring air access to more of the country to support expedited delivery for Prime customers.

The electronic retail and logistics giant’s private airline launched daily cargo service between Wichita and its regional hub at Fort Worth Alliance Airport in Texas on Thursday. The flights are operated by Silver...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/amazon-air-begins-daily-express-delivery-to-wichita-kansas

FedEx air shipments delayed as omicron variant sickens pilots

FedEx aircraft on the ground waiting to be loaded on a sunny day.

The rise in COVID infections fueled by the omicron variant and bad weather that has forced passenger airlines to cancel thousands of flights is now disrupting operations at FedEx Express.

The parcel and freight carrier warned Friday that staffing problems due to rising infection rates among pilots and ground personnel in its air network, combined with severe winter weather events, are slowing deliveries.

“We are implementing contingency plans and adjusting operations to minimize delays while...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fedex-air-shipments-delayed-as-omicron-variant-sickens-pilots

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