The Embraer E190 cargo jet is getting closer to commercial service after Brazil’s aviation authority signed off on the passenger-to-freighter conversion plan.
Alaska Air Cargo will debut its second Boeing 737-800 freighters next month, opening the door for the first all-cargo service between Alaska and Los Angeles.
Cargojet has exited its commitment for 777 aircraft with cargo conversion packages by selling the rights to aircraft trader Jetran, which is bullish on the aircraft’s prospects.
Cargojet says there isn’t enough airfreight business to justify its planned investment in 777 converted freighters. It wants to get out of its commitments, most likely by selling the aircraft to another company.
The freighter conversion business is slowing down, but there remains residual momentum from carriers such as IndiGo.
The first Airbus A321 converted freighter has been cleared by authorities to begin commercial service in China.
Japan Airlines is joining a group of passenger airlines that are starting all-cargo operations.
DHL Express is ordering nine passenger-to-freighter conversion aircraft to modernize its large fleet.
An Airbus affiliate that converts used passenger planes into cargo haulers plans to outsource some work to a new partner in China.
Fly Meta has one aircraft and no pilots, but it plans to acquire four Boeing 777 jets transformed for dedicated cargo carriage.
As cars gained popularity, ships were converted and built specifically for transporting vehicles overseas.
Canada’s WestJet plans to start flying cargo jets next year after a frustrating wait to get the planes registered.
Silk Way West Airlines, a growing cargo operator based in Azerbaijan, and Alaska Airlines on Thursday signed contracts with Boeing for two freighters apiece — but that is where the similarities ended. Silk Way West said it will take two 777-8s, the largest plane available from Boeing (NYSE: BA) and one so modern it isn’t […]
Aerospace engineering firm Mammoth Freighters hasn’t built one converted freighter yet but is already adding capacity to meet demand.
Thursday was a busy day for aircraft conversion deals, with leasing companies placing deposits to get passenger aircraft changed into freighters.
Boeing 737-800 passenger-to-freighter conversions are selling like hotcakes. A Japanese-owned leasing company snapped up six more slots.
Ethiopian Airlines is adding Boeing 767 freighters in a transaction with Atlas Air Worldwide.
AELF FlightServices, a provider of operating leases, is chasing the cargo market with an order for its first 767 conversion aircraft.
Airbus is so pleased with its first three Airbus A321 freighter conversions that it plans to add six more of the jets.
Emirates is enlarging and modernizing its cargo fleet with modified passenger aircraft and new builds.
Embraer is the latest manufacturer to launch a freighter conversion program for used passenger aircraft.
Aero Capital Solutions is a mid-tier aircraft leasing firm that has quickly gone from zero freighters to soon having 40 of them.
Passenger airline Avianca plans to lease up to four converted freighters as cargo becomes a strategic focus.
EgyptAir is acquiring a small freighter to go with its trio of widebody cargo planes.
Saudi Arabian Airlines is investing in seven 777 converted freighters as it looks ahead to strong cargo opportunities.
Cargojet last year announced an order for two passenger-to-freighter conversions of the Boeing 777 but was less public about buying six more of the aircraft.
ASL Aviation plans to acquire at least 10 737-800s and pay Boeing to turn them into freighters as demand grows from customers such as Amazon, DHL and FedEx in Europe.
Can the air cargo market absorb a record onslaught of new capacity?
SmartLynx will use the Airbus conversion center to modify a half dozen small jets for full-time cargo operations.
CBD — we know what you’re thinking — also stands for Chinese Development Bank and it is going deeper into air cargo leasing.
The new A320 passenger-to-freighter jet is ready to join its sister, the A321, on the market as the aircraft attract more interest for airlines.
Aeronautical Engineering takes used planes and turns them into cargo configuration. More countries are approving a new design for its 737-800 freighter.
The A321 passenger-to-freighter aircraft is only a year old. Now its sister, the A320, is transitioning to an all-cargo configuration too.
Qantas and Air Canada are pioneers in swapping older passenger planes from their fleets and turning them into full-time cargo haulers.
Cargo airlines and leasing companies are sucking up small and midsize freighters converted from passenger configuration. Here come the big boys.
Cargojet is the launch customer for Mammoth Freighters, which turns used passenger planes into full-time cargo haulers.
The air cargo market is sizzling. Carriers need more planes and investments are pouring in for new and converted freighters.
A handful of small airlines want a piece of the action in air cargo, which continues to grow at a robust pace.
The Airbus A321 and the A330 are the new kids on the block in converting passenger planes to cargo, in a sector dominated so far by Boeing.
More air cargo operators are interested in flying the Airbus A330 as a converted freighter and Israel Aircraft Industries has jumped in to produce them.
Mammoth Freighters plans to produce 777 passenger-to-freighter conversions. A new deal makes it more mammoth.
Used Airbus A321s are getting a second life in the cargo arena. More companies are jumping in to do the modifications.
Mammoth Freighters has deep pockets and ambitious goals for selling converted passenger planes for cargo operations.
Aircraft leasing and management firm BBAM showed its confidence in the new Airbus A321 freighter design by placing a large order with an aftermarket shop to overhaul passenger planes to carry cargo.
Air Transport Services Group is like a Swiss Army knife. It flies cargo and passenger planes for other airlines, leases aircraft, does aircraft maintenance and freighter conversions, and provides ground handling. It’s all clicking for the bottom line.
Modern narrowbody freighters that can be reclaimed for cargo are very popular with all-cargo operators because they fit well with express networks. Leasing companies are making more planes, like the 837-800, available.
Air Canada is making cargo a bigger part of its business plan. It’s turning eight passenger planes into double-deck freighters.
Some car owners will only take their cars to the dealer for maintenance, while others are content with an independent mechanic. The choice is similar for airlines that want to modify aircraft to carry cargo.
LATAM Airlines will add 10 767 passenger planes with a repair shop licensed by Boeing so they can be retrofitted to carry cargo on the main deck.
Aircraft conversion houses tear apart passenger aircraft, then reinforce the walls and floor so they can handle heavy cargo on the main deck. Business is growing along with trade.
The Big Twin is the nickname for the Boeing 777 passenger-to-freighter conversion aircraft. It’s big, has two engines and is getting ready for metal cutting.
The A380 has mostly been a bust as a giant passenger plane. Now Airbus is trying to salvage some value by offering to convert passenger planes into full-time cargo planes. But there’s a twist. Passengers will still ride along on the top deck. Will airlines buy in?
USA Jet Airlines, a small cargo operator, is converting old MD-88s into freighters. Airlines gave up on this plane, so why is anyone investing to reuse these aircraft?
Icelandair is raising capital with a sale-leaseback of two large jets and then turning them into freighters. It’s an innovative move.
Boeing 767s are coveted by all-cargo carriers. LATAM Airlines is doing an in-house swap of passenger planes to its cargo division, which will send them to Boeing to convert into freighters.
You’ve probably flown in a Boeing 737-800, a next-generation variant of this popular 737, but when they are put to pasture they become valuable assets for all-cargo airlines. ASL Airlines in Europe is snapping some up and converting them to freighters.
Aerospace engineering firms are busy converting passenger planes to pure freighters.
A new type of air cargo plane is entering the market to much fanfare. The Airbus A321 has many capabilities. Titan Airways is getting the second freighter ever produced.
Retrofitting a passenger plane to operate as a heavy cargo plane is a big engineering job that requires many new parts and disposal of old ones. Logistics giant Kuehne + Nagel says it can reduce inventory and transportation costs to make conversions more economical.
Air Canada is showing itself to be one of the most innovative airlines around. It plans to start an all-cargo subsidiary on top of new initiatives in drone delivery and seatless aircraft that can carry cargo in the cabin.
Air Canada sees a business opportunity flying all-cargo planes for e-commerce companies.
The Airbus A321 is a ubiquitous people-hauler, but now Australia Post has the first freighter version of this popular aircraft.
(Updated Oct. 260, 2020, 9 A.M. ET, with more on EFEW, Sine Draco Aviation) Questions about whether the new Airbus A321 converted freighter could generate orders and catch up to the Boeing 737-800, which has a three-year head start in the express delivery market, are quickly dissipating. Aircraft trading and leasing company Vallair announced Tuesday […]
UPS is one of nine companies that have leased lots of freighters from Air Transport Services Group this year. Find out who else is leasing these popular aircraft.
21 Air is a small cargo airline that wants to expand but can’t afford new aircraft. So it’s acting as a sales agent and partnering with others to get more freight business when shippers are desperate for airlift.
When some passenger planes get long in the tooth, they get a second life in cargo. The latest candidate for conversion in the Airbus A321. It offers more shipping space than a Boeing 737 and could be flying to an airport near you soon with your online order.
The FAA recently gave Pemco Conversions approval to convert 737 passenger jets into freighters, with the added flexibility of carrying pallets and passengers in the main cabin area at the same time.
Allied Air is buying some passenger airplanes and converting them to freighters. It’s cheaper than buying production freighters.
Boeing was shut out on orders in January, but the sting was softened a bit by a deal for new passenger-to-freighter conversions.
