freighter aircraft

Avianca faces delivery delays for Airbus converted freighters

The cargo division of South American airline Avianca had the same cargo revenue in the third quarter as last year, despite a reduction in freighter aircraft. But delivery of aircraft to replenish the fleet has been pushed back by six months or more, according to the latest timetable from the company, which could inhibit growth. 

Still, Avianca has been able to add some capacity in the European market courtesy of a new flight operated by alliance partner Turkish Airlines.

Colombia-based Avianca...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/avianca-faces-delivery-delays-for-airbus-converted-freighters

‘No big bang’ for peak season air cargo business

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – The peak season for air cargo increasingly looks like it will be quite healthy, but without the normal bounce typical at the end of the year. Rates haven’t climbed as high as expected considering the robust demand and limited available cargo space on aircraft.

The main reason for the flat busy season is that the air cargo market has been churning along at a high level all year, without seasonal dips. One explanation is many shippers planned ahead by frontloading inventory to...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/no-big-bang-for-peak-season-air-cargo-business

21 Air makes debut cargo flight for Amazon

MIAMI – 21 Air, a small cargo airline based in Miami, on Thursday began operating the first of seven Boeing 767-300 freighter aircraft on behalf of Amazon as the e-commerce behemoth pivots from long-time partner Atlas Air to other cargo airlines that can support its domestic air delivery network.

Amazon has selected 21 Air, which is controlled by Houston Astros owner Jim Crane and his investment firm in a joint venture with Canadian freighter operator Cargojet, as an air transport provider,...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/21-air-makes-debut-cargo-flight-for-amazon

Cargo carrier Air Transport Services dinged by fewer jet leases, flights

Air Transport Services Group, the largest lessor of freighter aircraft in the world, on Friday said revenue fell 10% in the third quarter because a large number of aircraft with expiring leases were returned, cutting the number of outsourced cargo flights airline subsidiaries fly for large customers.

Financial results were released four days after ATSG (NASDAQ: ATSG) announced plans to go private in a $3.1 billion deal with investment firm Stonepeak. The company said adjusted earnings before...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/cargo-carrier-air-transport-services-dinged-by-fewer-jet-leases-flights

EFW adds Japanese partner for A321 cargo conversions

Airbus is increasing production capacity for passenger-to-freighter conversions of A321 aircraft through an agreement with MRO Japan, an aerospace maintenance repair and overhaul provider, as Japan Airlines begins operating the modified aircraft in Japan for the first time.

Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH (EFW), a joint venture between Airbus and Singapore-based ST Engineering, announced Thursday it had signed MRO Japan as a subcontractor to install its conversion kits on used A321 passenger aircraft...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/efw-adds-japanese-partner-for-a321-cargo-conversions

Trans-Pacific market lifts Air Canada cargo results

Air Canada said Friday that cargo revenue grew 18% to 253 million Canadian dollars ($181.8 million) in the third quarter on the back of higher yields and shipment volume carried on large passenger aircraft operating in the trans-Pacific market.

“The overall cargo environment is quite favorable. I would say it’s quite favorable in Asia-Pacific. We see similar trends in India,” said Mark Galardo, president of cargo, during a call-in briefing with analysts about the company’s earnings. “And those...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/trans-pacific-market-lifts-air-canada-cargo-results

Vendor troubles slow delivery of Amazon freighter aircraft

Amazon has four fewer Airbus package freighters for peak season than planned because the company responsible for converting the planes from passenger to cargo configuration is behind schedule and temporarily shifting production out of the United States until it can build a qualified workforce and supplier base. That has prompted charges of mismanagement from the lessor providing the aircraft. 

Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH (EFW), a joint venture between aircraft manufacturer Airbus and Singapore...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/vendor-troubles-slow-delivery-of-amazon-freighter-aircraft

WestJet adopts new business model for freighter aircraft

Canadian airline WestJet has pivoted to offering other airlines and logistics companies the option of chartering its small fleet of Boeing 737-800 cargo jets to move goods after recently discontinuing scheduled cargo service because of weak demand.

WestJet Cargo on Tuesday issued a news release promoting its charter service in North America and Latin America utilizing Boeing 737-800 converted freighters. The cargo division said it introduced charter service in the fourth quarter of 2023, but...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/westjet-adopts-new-business-model-for-freighter-aircraft

Qantas adds freighter capacity to meet rising transport demand in Asia

The arrival of a sixth Airbus A321 converted freighter has unlocked more cargo service to New Zealand and Hong Kong for Qantas following the Australian airline’s switch to an all-Airbus cargo fleet.

Qantas Freight now operates three times per week to Hong Kong utilizing an A330-200 retrofitted cargo aircraft after adding first-ever weekly service from Perth to Hong Kong to cater to shipments from western Australia. The flight is on top of existing twice-weekly service between Sydney and Hong...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/qantas-adds-freighter-capacity-to-meet-rising-transport-demand-in-asia

Asian airlines equip 777 cargo jets with sharkskin system to reduce drag

Freighter airlines are leading the way in fitting aircraft with a new high-tech coating that mimics the structure of a shark’s skin to reduce aerodynamic drag and fuel consumption. EVA Air and All Nippon Airways recently became the first Asian carriers to equip Boeing 777 freighters with the friction-reducing AeroShark surface film, following the footsteps of Lufthansa Cargo and Swiss International Air Lines.

All Nippon Airways said it began operating its first 777 freighter with the special...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/asian-airlines-equip-777-cargo-jets-with-sharkskin-system-to-reduce-drag

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