Cargo Facts Connect

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. T...

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....

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 Eur...

In this episode,  Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Robert Luke discuss the highlights of ISTAT Americas conference, which featured a session on the cargo market and another on mergers and acquisitions among lessors. Luke and Lee also talk about Cargojet selling two of its 777-300ERs, ANA acquiring NCA, and Canadian North adding two ATR-72 500Fs to its fleet for Arctic operations. T...

In this week’s episode of the “Cargo Facts Connect” podcast, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke kick off the discussion with Universal Hydrogen’s first flight of its modified Dash 8-300, which features the addition of a hydrogen-powered engine to replace one of the conventional Pratt & Whitney turboprops. Luke provides a breakdown of recent earnings...

In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke kick off the discussion with the unveiling of a new cargo drone in Israel that is manufactured by Heven and uses hydrogen power to enhance its range. And as another A330 arrived in Dresden for conversion with EFW, the company announced that it will open a second A321 conversion location in China. Meanw...

In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke kick off the discussion with a watershed moment in the cargo industry: the news that Ameriflight will purchase the Sabrewing Rhaegal-A. Additionally, the drone space saw a series of milestones from medical drone operator Spright, unmanned aircraft developer Reliable Robotics and Canada-based Volatus Ae...

In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Robert Luke are joined by Cargo Facts Consulting Senior Consultant Jim Edgar live in Dubai to discuss Cargo Facts EMEA 2023, the direction of the air cargo industry and potential movements and transactions to come. The trio provide an impartial outlook of the current market, including feedback from industry leaders who attended the...

In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Robert Luke are joined by Cargo Facts Consulting Senior Consultant Jim Edgar to discuss the departure of the final 747 to be produced — and the legacy of the large quad-engine jet. Edgar shares some of his memories from his days at Boeing — including a conversation with the “Father of the 747,” Joe Sutter — and the editors revisit t...

In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss Mammoth Freighters, which this week inducted its first, conformity 777-300ERMF at the Aspire MRO facility in Fort Worth, Texas. In addition, Lee talks about his tour of ANA’s maintenance facilities, and Crider discusses Ameriflight’s order of twenty Natilus cargo drones. The unmanned Kona drone...

In this episode, Cargo Facts Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss Central Airlines launching its European operations and hinting that it would soon add a second 777F to its freighter fleet. The editors also discuss the anticipated news of a relatively new entity that has placed a lease order for widebody aircraft. More details will follow on this Asia-based company and will be c...

In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss the 737-400F, which has already made headlines this year for both retirements and additions. The team reflects on the 737 Classic and how its adoption and retirement fuel the rise of 737-800Fs. Meanwhile, the ARJ21-700CCF received its certification and will enter the market. What disruption wil...

In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss FedEx’s fleet restructure after the express carrier painted a grim picture for the future of airfreight during its latest earnings call. The team also breaks down news of Aerolineas Argentinas receiving its first two 737-800Fs and the first A321PCF completing conversion at the HAECO facility in...

In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke are joined by Cargo Facts Consulting Senior Consultant Jim Edgar to look back on an eventful 2022. Major highlights have included new players joining the market and others leaving, new programs and certifications, and intense competition in the large-widebody segment. The group then turns to some of th...

In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss the launch of Quikjet Cargo Airlines, which has obtained its air operator certificate and may soon start service with an Amazon-branded 737-800BCF. Additionally, Embraer has provided an update on its E-Jet conversion program, cutting the first piece of what will become part of the first large c...

In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss the rollout of the final 747 at the Boeing assembly line in Everett, Wash. More than twenty operators of older 747Fs have yet to order the next generation of large-widebody freighter, representing a significant opportunity for those in the competition to offer 747 replacements. Meanwhile, as Ca...

In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss news that Rolls-Royce has successfully tested its hydrogen engine platform. What impact will this have on cargo? Meanwhile, Boeing has suspended the testing of its 777-9 passenger aircraft due to an engine issue. Will this also further delay the aircraft’s freighter sibling? How will this and o...

In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss a new partnership between Brazilian carrier Azul and e-commerce giant Amazon to provide cargo operations in northern Brazil. Meanwhile, a series of Boeing additions drove freighter transactions in Asia and the 757 platform continues to generate interest. Tune in for a discussion on these topics...

In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss Silk Way West’s intention to use the 777-8F as part of its plan to replace the Queen of the Skies, Asia Cargo Network’s plan to place a number of 737NG and 767 freighters with its Middle Eastern AOC, and more 737-800BCFs joining North American operators. Additionally, the cargo drone industry c...

In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss a string of new entries into the drone market, with launch orders for products from Dufour Aerospace and Sabrewing. Meanwhile, Global Crossing Airlines is nearing the delivery and entry into service of its first two A321Fs, which will join the fleet before the end of the year, and another lesso...

In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Andrew Crider look back on some of the highlights from Cargo Facts Symposium 2022, and discuss the 777F vs A350F panel, the current state of conversions and the impact of regional freighters on the global air cargo market. Additionally, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has engaged electrical power on its first 777-300ERSF prototype...

In this week’s episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss the upcoming Cargo Facts Symposium taking place at the InterContinental in San Diego on Oct 19-21. This year's Symposium will feature a fireside chat with Peter Corfitsen, chief executive of Maersk Air Cargo. The team gives a glimpse into the most highly anticipated panels on the agenda,...

In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss a week of milestones for the freighter aircraft industry. The first milestone was the first flight of an all-new aircraft type. with Eviation’s Alice aircraft becoming the world's first fully electric aircraft to take flight. The aircraft promises to have a cargo variant and has secured DHL as...

In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss FedEx reactivating vintage trijet airframes ahead of peak season. The once-parked freighters will step in for several 757s, which will take their place in the desert. The editors then discuss a number of new aircraft — both manned and unmanned — that have passed, or are approaching, major miles...

In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss a potential new regional cargo operator in South Korea, with Hi Air planning to use as many as six ATR 72-500Fs. The airline will pair up with a company called Caelum that is looking to convert ATRs to start, but which may even move on to A321s and A330s. The team then turns to regional growth...