The United States will soon get a new freighter operator when Miami-based 7Air Cargo gains certification. The startup airline has agreed to lease two 2006-vintage 737-800SFs from Aircastle as its first freighters. The first of those (34799, ex-SpiceJet) finished receiving its new paint job in Goodyear, Ariz., (GYR) this week. 7Air Cargo expects to start flying proving runs in March and hopes to obtain its AOC in April. “We’re on track as of today,” Chief Executive Amos Rodriguez says in this wee...
Feb 24, 2024•11 min•Ep. 118
Beatrice Peters and David Thimm, vice presidents of new business at Backbone Freighter Leasing, part of the Dr. Peters Group, joined Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee live from Cargo Facts EMEA 2024 in Amsterdam earlier this week. Germany-based Backbone Freighter Leasing is the launch customer of the Kansas Modification Center 777-300ERCF conversion program , with a firm order for three slots and options for seven more. “It’s a very promising and sensible way to use our feedstock,” Peters says in this...
Feb 09, 2024•9 min•Ep. 117
The freighter aircraft industry will gather Feb. 5-7 in Amsterdam for Cargo Facts EMEA 2024 to discuss the latest developments in the space. Ahead of the event, several industry leaders join this week’s episode of the “Cargo Facts Connect” podcast. Joining Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee on the podcast are: George Seturidze, chief executive of Camex Airlines; Michael Hamelink, chief financial officer of Chisholm Enterprises and chief executive of Texel Air; Cristian Sutter, chief executive of Avensi...
Jan 30, 2024•7 min•Ep. 116
Brazil-based Modern Logistics will soon deploy its first 737-800BCF to help grow the company’s international presence. The 2004-vintage aircraft (33566, ex-Ryanair) arrived in October and has been undergoing certification with the Brazilian Civil Aviation Authority. “We are in the final process with the regulator, and if everything goes well in the next three to four weeks, we expect to have the final certification by the beginning of February, before Carnival season in Brazil,” Modern Logistics...
Jan 13, 2024•15 min•Ep. 115
Reliable Robotics this month announced it had performed the first flight of a remotely operated Cessna 208B without a pilot on board as the company works to certify its flight automation technology. The Mountain View, Calif.-based company aims to achieve certification in 2025, after which it will be able to operate uncrewed flights carrying commercial cargo using the Cessna 208B. “Our opinion is that the right way to bring these sorts of systems to market is to follow the process,” co-founder an...
Dec 16, 2023•19 min•Ep. 114
Pacific Air Cargo has been heavily involved in the relief efforts in Maui as the island recovers from the destructive wildfires in August due to a long-term ACMI arrangement with Kalitta Air for the carrier’s 747-400F capacity between Los Angeles and Honolulu. At the same time, the company has been exploring other avenues of growing its business. “We have traditionally always focused on Asia eastbound interline agreements and those agreements and partnerships are still valuable to our success,” ...
Dec 02, 2023•18 min•Ep. 113
In this week’s episode of the “Cargo Facts Connect” podcast, hear from Astral Aviation founder and Chief Executive Sanjeev Gadhia at the Dubai Airshow. Astral’s own-operated and wet-leased freighters fly within, into and out of Africa. The performance of the trade lanes has been mixed this year, Gadhia said. “The intra-Africa market, I would say, compared to 2022 has actually grown by about 5%,” he said. “But next year, we’re expecting double-digit growth. And we’re very confident about the long...
Nov 17, 2023•12 min•Ep. 112
In this episode, hear from three speakers who will join us next week at Cargo Facts Symposium in San Diego. Ed Wegel , chairman and chief executive of Global Crossing Airlines, will share in a fireside chat the story of certifying a new airline during the pandemic and its cargo ambitions as the first operator of A321 freighters in the Americas. “We’re very bullish on the narrowbody market and we’ve got a lot of airplanes coming, so we feel pretty good about our position and the future,” Wegel sa...
Oct 20, 2023•11 min•Ep. 111
In this episode, hear from Boon Keng Tan, senior vice president, general manager and head of aircraft and freighter leasing at ST Engineering. In 2021, ST set up Juniper Aviation Investments, a joint venture with the Singaporean state-owned investment company Temasek, to focus on developing a freighter leasing portfolio that specializes in narrowbodies. Juniper has delivered four A321-200Fs and one A320-200F to date, with more in the pipeline. All were converted with EFW, in which ST holds a maj...
Oct 07, 2023•14 min•Ep. 110
In this episode, hear from Mikey McBryan, general manager of Buffalo Airways, which is on the cusp of launching commercial service with its first 737-300 freighter in Canada. The 1986-vintage 737-300BDSF (23512, ex-Swiftair) that Buffalo purchased in 2022 had been in storage in the U.K. since 2017; it finally arrived in Canada last month after two years of maintenance and overhaul . Buffalo had to install additional avionics upgrades on the aircraft once it landed in Edmonton (YEG), but the end ...
Sep 23, 2023•20 min•Ep. 109
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...
Sep 11, 2023•15 min•Ep. 108
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, includi...
Aug 26, 2023•16 min•Ep. 107
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 Jef...
Aug 11, 2023•22 min•Ep. 106
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 ...
Jul 31, 2023•12 min•Ep. 105
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. “I...
Jul 14, 2023•11 min•Ep. 104
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 Louisv...
Jul 01, 2023•16 min•Ep. 103
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 Associ...
Jun 23, 2023•18 min•Ep. 102
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 A330-300P2...
Jun 16, 2023•17 min•Ep. 101
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 Carg...
Jun 10, 2023•23 min•Ep. 100
In this episode, Cargo Facts Associate Editor Andrew Crider sits down with Natilus co-founder and Chief Executive Aleksey Matyushev to discuss the development of the company’s Kona cargo drone. Natilus recently announced a deal with ZeroAvia and unveiled a hydrogen-powered engine option for its blended-wing cargo drone. This development comes after headline-making orders from Ameriflight and Volatus Aerospace. Matyushev addresses the challenges of drone production, what recent scale-model test f...
May 26, 2023•18 min•Ep. 99
In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss the first Cargo Facts LATAM conference, which took place this week in Panama City. Cargo Facts made its debut in Latin America with groundbreaking news, developments and insight from industry leaders in the region. At the event, Lee and Luke caught up with SmartLynx Airlines Vice President of Sales & Development Edvinas Demenius to talk about the airline’s strategy and plans for its A321 ...
May 20, 2023•20 min•Ep. 98
In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke highlight the key takeaways from the Association for Uncrewed Vehicles International’s XPONENTIAL 2023 exhibition and conference in Denver this week and other developments. Cargo drones dominated the news this week, with Canada-based Volatus Aerospace evaluating whether it will order more Natilus drone and announcing plans to expand its cargo drone operations into the Dominican Republic and the Unite...
May 13, 2023•18 min•Ep. 97
In this week’s episode of the “Cargo Facts Connect” podcast, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss a series of widebody developments involving a variety of freighter types. First, Japan Airlines will operate its own freighters again after a hiatus of more than ten years as part of a groupwide growth strategy. Meanwhile, China Airlines is continuing to retire its production 747-400Fs even as it experiences delays in receiving new 777F orders; Carg...
May 06, 2023•18 min•Ep. 96
In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Andrew Crider discuss watershed moments in the drone industry involving integration of unmanned aircraft systems into airspace. In North America, Reliable Robotics submitted data gathered with NASA to validate the reliability of existing radar systems in ensuring the safe separation of unmanned and manned aircraft. The data promises to help regulators in the United States develop methods to integrate drones into the airspace. In B...
Apr 28, 2023•17 min•Ep. 95
In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Andrew Crider are joined by Cargo Facts Consulting Director Guillermo Ochovo and Senior Consultant Jim Edgar to discuss highlights from Cargo Facts Asia, which returned this week for the first time since 2019. Ochovo shares his thoughts on Cargo Facts Consulting’s latest freighter forecast, which he unveiled during the event. The group compares that report with statements made by panelists at Cargo Facts Asia on the potential of a...
Apr 21, 2023•18 min•Ep. 94
In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Andrew Crider speak with Carlos Cock, chief executive of Miami-based Xtreme Aviation, about the Latin American market for freighter aircraft, the preference for 737 Classics and the challenges and opportunities that are on the horizon. Cock will speak during a panel on narrowbody freighters at the upcoming Cargo Facts LATAM conference. The first-of-its-kind event will bring cargo leaders in the region to Panama City on May 15-17. ...
Apr 15, 2023•21 min•Ep. 93
In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss the restructure of FedEx, which now plans to retire its remaining MD-11Fs by 2028, switching to an entirely twin-engine fleet. With changes to its aircraft fleet, FedEx also expects to change its routes, downsizing its foothold in Europe. Meanwhile, Airbus has begun the production of the first A350F, manufacturing the first center wingbox of the next-generation widebody freighter. Tune in for...
Apr 07, 2023•21 min•Ep. 92
In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss DHL’s acquisition of ex-Delta 777-200LRs for conversion to 777-200LRMFs with Mammoth Freighters. The deal marks the first major express carrier commitment to the Mammoth program. Additionally, AAR signaled a continued interest in 757-200 conversions, acquiring nine ex-American Airlines units. The company already has sold one of those aircraft to AerSale. Finally, Russia-based Volga-Dnepr Grou...
Apr 01, 2023•24 min•Ep. 91
In this episode, hear a discussion of the first test flight of IAI and AerCap’s “Big Twin” program, with the prototype 777-300ERSF taking off from Tel Aviv after a nearly two-year conversion process at IAI headquarters. Also, a talk on the possibility of UPS acquiring more 747-8Fs, as the carrier hinted last year at a change to its original plans to preserve its 747-8 fleet without new additions. But what will be the source of the 747-8Fs? Meanwhile, on the unmanned systems’ front, Bell’s APT dr...
Mar 24, 2023•17 min•Ep. 90
In this week’s episode of the “Cargo Facts Connect” podcast, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss regional freighters and Boeing’s expansion of conversion capacity in India, as well as several 737-800 developments, including the imminent arrival of a 737-800BCF to join the Central Airlines fleet. In addition to manned aircraft news in Asia and Europe, San Francisco-based Zipline has launched its P2 delivery system, including a new drone and char...
Mar 17, 2023•18 min•Ep. 89
