Cargo Facts Connect

ATSG Chief Executive Mike Berger is looking forward to receiving the group’s first A330P2F even as demand for 767 freighters remains solid.

Over the past year, carriers in countries including Georgia and Uzbekistan have entered the medium-widebody market and grown using 767s from ATSG’s leasing arm, CAM.

“The thing that we’re very keenly aware of is how much capacity can be absorbed into this market,” Berger said in a fireside chat at Cargo Facts Symposium 2024 in San Diego last week. “And that’s something we have a very, very close eye on. And we see our competitors and some other lessors also leasing aircraft into the same markets. So, we’ll balance that out with how many more assets we think they can absorb.”

Meanwhile, ATSG sent its first A330 for conversion with EFW in late 2023 as part of its growth and transition into Airbus medium widebodies. The group expects to deliver its first two A330-300P2Fs on lease by the end of the year, with a couple more to follow in early 2025, Berger said.

“It’s our future,” he said. “Make no mistake about it.”

The group appointed Todd France as chief commercial officer in August. Most recently president of CAM, France reports to Jeff Dominick, who became ATSG president in June when Berger became CEO.

“They’re good thinkers; they’re going to challenge us, challenge me, challenge the others to evolve our business,” Berger said. “We really firmly believe that our business needs to continue to evolve. We can’t stand still. We won’t stand still, and these two guys, specifically, are new parts of the leadership that are going to help us get there.”

Tune in to this episode of “Cargo Facts Connect” to hear more from Berger’s fireside chat with Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee at Cargo Facts Symposium 2024.

Prolonged strong demand from the passenger segment for narrowbody aircraft and engines is still creating a challenging freighter leasing market, especially on 737-800s, speakers on a panel agreed at Cargo Facts Symposium 2024 in San Diego last week.

The panel on freighter aircraft and engine leasing, moderated by Mylene Scholnick, senior manager and head of worldwide fleet and carriers at Amazon Global Air, discussed recent trends and developments in the segment, including market saturation and increasing costs. The panelists were:

“Right now, there are probably over fifty 737 freighters for sale currently being actively marketed,” Alexander said. “So that gives a bit of a scope of what we’re talking about in terms of creating that downward pressure on lease pricing and people making different decisions on leasing out these engines.”

Some lessors have removed engines from both A321Fs and 737-800Fs immediately after conversion and leased out the engines separately for passenger use, the panel said.

“Lessors, depending on how they’re structured, have the ability to be patient,” Anderson said. “And let’s take the -800, for example. As long as lease rates are as high as they are for the [CFM56-7B], a lessor can afford to be potentially patient with that airframe in storage while those two engines are out creating value for customers and for lessor shareholders in the market.”

GA Telesis’ Ellis said that the industry has not yet seen 737NG freighters replacing 737 Classics in large numbers, while operators are deferring shop visits for their engines and turning to engine leasing instead.

“Couple that with a high volume of aircraft converted, the Classics staying in service longer — it’s sort of a perfect storm of the freighter values suffering while at the same time, engine values have gone up,” he said.

Tune in to this week’s “Cargo Facts Connect” to hear more from the panel at Cargo Facts Symposium 2024.

Follow Cargo Facts’ coverage of Cargo Facts Symposium 2024 on our dedicated page.

TAAG Angola Airlines is keen to capitalize on the potential of the African market to grow its cargo business, having brought on an industry veteran and introduced its first 737NG freighter into operation less than a year ago.

TAAG took delivery of a 2003-vintage 737-800BCF (33552, ex-Ryanair) on lease from BBAM in September 2023, but had not yet put it into service when the carrier appointed David Ambridge as director of cargo and mail that November. Ambridge helped put the freighter to work soon after that and it now flies at least four times a week.

“That doesn’t sound a lot, but there are some obstacles that we’re overcoming,” Ambridge says in this week’s episode of “Cargo Facts Connect.”

“We’ve actually created what I like to call a niche market now for this aeroplane, and that’s really where I see TAAG Cargo,” he says. “I see us being a niche carrier. We’re not Ethiopian; we don’t want to be, and we never will be.”

Ethiopian Airlines is the largest freighter operator in Africa with ten 777Fs, three 767-300BDSFs and four 737-800Fs.

While TAAG hopes to expand its own freighter fleet, it will also need to overcome hurdles, many of which relate to regulatory issues, Ambridge says.

“That’s a really big obstacle that we need to start sitting down with customs and understanding why they do it and where they feel the threats are and then seeing if they’re open to accept information electronically rather than via paper,” he says.

“Then we can give them advance manifests and an advance notice, and they can do maybe a little bit more of their risk assessment before the flight so that we can try and get stuff moved around Africa quicker.”

Tune in to this week’s “Cargo Facts Connect” to hear more on TAAG as Ambridge speaks to Cargo FactsSenior Associate Editor Robert Luke.

Canadian regional carrier Pascan Aviation will soon become the first Saab 340B freighter operator in the country after recently entering the dedicated cargo segment.

Pascan began a fleet changeover to passenger Saab 340Bs during the pandemic and has carried cargo on its passenger flights since operations began in 1999. Only recently did it give serious consideration to the freighter market and ended up with a deal to fly a Saab 340B freighter for a customer, President and Chief Executive Julian Roberts told Cargo Facts.

Pascan leased the 1990-vintage unit 340B-219 from Jetstream Aviation Capital and has temporarily assigned Akron, Ohio-based Castle Aviation to fly the freighter on its behalf. The operation began in July.

“We’re waiting until the STC is approved here by our authorities at Transport Canada,” Roberts says in this week’s episode of “Cargo Facts Connect.”

“We expect that will be done within the coming month or two when we will import the aircraft onto our certificate and start operating it as a Canadian aircraft,” he says.

Pascan says there is underserved demand in more remote regions in Canada and expects to take on a second Saab 340BF from Jetstream by early 2025.

“There’s been a lot of people knocking at the door asking about different products and how we can move it back and forth, and a lot of that is revolving around seafood right now,” Roberts says. “They feel that the aircraft — its ability, range and the amount of weight that we can fly — that seems to be a good fit for a lot of people.”

Tune in to this week’s “Cargo Facts Connect” to hear more on Pascan as Roberts speaks to Cargo FactsEditor Jeff Lee.

Airship manufacturer Aeros plans to launch two multi-role airships to deliver large payloads globally while serving as aerial hubs for cargo drones.

The smaller of the two airships, the Aeroscraft ML866, can carry up to 66 tonnes of payload up to 3,100 miles, while the larger ML868 is expected to carry up to 250 tonnes over a range of 6,200 miles, Aeros Chief Executive and Chief Engineer Igor Pasternak says in this week’s episode of “Cargo Facts Connect,” recorded at the 2024 FAA Drone and Advanced Air Mobility Symposium in July.

Aeros hopes to obtain FAA approval for the ML866 and ML868 in 2028 and 2034, respectively, Pasternak says.

Both hydrogen-powered airships can travel at a cruising speed of 120 mph and can hover to pick up or drop off cargo, he says.

“Imagine the airship is some kind of warehouse,” Pasternak tells “Cargo Facts Connect.” “It is certified and has a pilot. You can simply fly over downtown Los Angeles or Beverly Hills — you don’t have any restrictions.

“The drones are located in the airship, and the airship picks up the packages from a warehouse outside the city. It’s a large warehouse and in the city there’s no more land for warehousing. So, it can pick up the packages from the fulfillment center, flying fifteen to twenty miles and parking or hovering over the Pacific neighborhood — with drones just flying up and down delivering packages.”

The Aeroscraft airships will be able to move full cargo payloads with the speed of airfreight but cost less than ground delivery, Pasternak says.

Aeros began developing airships for commercial and military use in 1995 and has delivered its dirigibles to customers across the globe. The company received FAA certification for the Aeros 40B Sky Dragon airship model in 2000 and has received certifications for its airships in Europe, Asia and Latin America.

Tune in to this week’s “Cargo Facts Connect” to hear Pasternak’s conversation with Cargo FactsSenior Associate Editor Robert Luke.

De Havilland Aircraft of Canada is progressing past the engineering phase for its bulk and large-cargo-door conversions for the Dash 8-400, and plans to certify the programs in 2025.

The two new products build on De Havilland’s Dash 8-400 Quick Change conversion, for which it recently obtained Transport Canada certification.

“We feel that there’s significant market potential in the regional space to connect Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities into main distribution hubs for cargo carriers,” Vice President of Sales and Marketing Ryan DeBrusk says in this week’s episode of “Cargo Facts Connect” recorded at the Farnborough International Airshow last month.

“We feel that the 400 is the right product with its speed and range capabilities and field-performance capabilities to allow carriers, whether it be traditional cargo carriers or non-traditional, to get into markets that they really economically could not do so today.”

De Havilland launched the three Dash 8-400 conversions at the Farnborough show in 2022. Since then, it has secured customers including Ethiopian Airlines, Peru-based ATSA Airlines, Kenya-based Advantage Air and United Arab Emirates-based Falcon Aviation.

“Without a doubt, the supply of aircraft is down from where it was,” DeBrusk said. “That said, I think there will be aircraft on a steady state over the coming years that are perfect for freight conversion, and so we’ll be looking to take advantage of that.”

Tune in to this week’s “Cargo Facts Connect” to hear more on De Havilland as DeBrusk speaks with Cargo FactsEditor Jeff Lee.

AeroUnion in June started flying its first A330-300P2F as part of a fleet renewal and collaboration strategy between it and Avianca Cargo.

AeroUnion has based the 2006-vintage unit 791 (ex-SmartLynx) in Mexico City (NLU) for flights within Mexico and to Colombia and the United States, including some on an ACMI basis for the Colombia-based Avianca Cargo.

“We are really happy to welcome the new technology to our company because it’s a radical turnover to our numbers in terms of ability and capacity, and it’s also a big improvement in fuel consumption,” Chief Executive Danilo Correa says in this week’s episode of “Cargo Facts Connect.”

“We are expecting to reduce fuel consumption by about 30%, impacting positively our environmental footprint,” he says.

After beginning operations with the A330, AeroUnion retired its final A300-600F (642) at the end of June and has two 1987-vintage 767-200BDSFs left in its fleet.

Unit 791 is the first of two A330-300P2Fs Avianca Cargo will lease from CDB Aviation. The carrier also has two A330-200P2Fs on the way and intends to place more A330s on AeroUnion’s AOC.

Avianca Cargo’s own fleet consists of six production A330-200P2Fs.

“This is a milestone for the partnership because the old fleet is not as reliable, not as efficient and not as big,” Avianca Cargo Senior Vice President Diogo Elias says. “So, we are up-gauging, we are more reliable, and we have much more capacity.”

The two carriers plan to strengthen operations throughout Latin America using their hubs at NLU, Bogota (BOG) and Miami (MIA).

“This is a running business and we, of course, will find new opportunities to take advantage of,” Correa says.

Tune in to this week’s “Cargo Facts Connect” to hear more on AeroUnion and Avianca Cargo as Correa and Elias speak with Cargo FactsEditor Jeff Lee.

ATSG is bullish about its growth strategy after a series of changes that culminated with Chief Executive Mike Berger’s appointment June 4.

As part of the leadership change, Jeffrey Dominick became ATSG’s president June 4 after more than seven years as a board member, bringing his Wall Street background to the role.

Dominick’s goal for 2024 is to help continue to position ATSG to evolve further, whether on the asset, customer or capital side, he told Cargo Factsduring a visit this week to ATSG’s headquarters in Wilmington, Ohio (ILN).

“I’ve watched [the organization’s] growth evolve, and so in stepping into it right now, I’m excited for the opportunities when we move forward,” Dominick says in this week’s episode of “Cargo Facts Connect.” 

“I think we all know how the company has grown with its different asset mix. It’s leasing as well as three airlines underneath. And as I step into it today, if I look at say, the rest of the year, we’re growing with our customers globally.”

ATSG’s leasing arm, CAM, is the largest freighter lessor and is headed by Todd France, who became president of CAM in April 2022 and was previously in other positions within the group.

CAM saw demand for its 767 freighters dip in 2023 and returns from some customers because of the softer market, but the lessor has also found new customers for its 767-300s, and demand for the -200s has “absolutely increased in the past twelve months,” France says.

“We’re placing multiple airplanes at multiple customers in multiple areas across the world,” France says. “So we continue to, in my mind, do a very good job at identifying that growth potential.”

Meanwhile, ATSG will soon place its first A330P2Fs and deliver more A321PCFs on lease, Dominick and France say.

Tune in to this week’s “Cargo Facts Connect” to hear more on ATSG and CAM as Dominick and France speak with Cargo FactsEditor Jeff Lee at ILN.

Brazil added its second 737NG freighter operator this year when Modern Logistics began flying the type, even as some of the country’s other carriers take on more Classics.

Modern Logistics is undergoing a transformation to grow its presence in the logistics industry.

“Part of this investment plan was to bring new aircraft,” Chief Executive Cristiano Koga said during a fireside chat at Cargo Facts LATAM 2024 in Panama City this month. Excerpts of this conversation are included in today’s episode of the “Cargo Facts Connect” podcast.

“We are very confident that the aircraft that we have signed and are already operating in Brazil will help us achieve this long-term goal to be an integrated logistics provider with a time-definite product end to end,” Koga notes in the chat.

Modern has leased two 737-800BCFs from BBAM, with the 2004-vintage unit 33566 arriving in October 2023 and its 2003-vintage sibling (33550) arriving in February 2024. They join one 737-400F (25374) and one 737-300F (24219).

“The performance of [the -800s] from a payload perspective, from a cost-to-serve-per-unit perspective is amazing,” Koga said. “So, we’re very excited about the fleet. But again, it needs to serve the right industry, the right sector and the right routes. That’s why one of the pillars of our long-term strategy is network planning.”

Even though Modern has phased out a 737-400F and a 737-300F, it still sees a use for them in at least the next six to twelve months.

“The -300 makes sense for specific projects, like charters or even e-commerce, because it’s the cheapest aircraft,” Koga said. “So, we still have the Classics, we have the two NGs, and it’s proving to be a very good decision to apply [the Classics] to these kinds of projects and leave the NGs for the big routes and international expansion as well.”

Countries at the top of the list to see Modern’s 737-800BCFs include Argentina, Chile and Colombia, he added.

Tune in to this week’s “Cargo Facts Connect” for the discussion with Koga.

Hamden Aviation is focusing on Latin America as it looks to grow its presence in the freighter segment. 

The Hamden, Conn.-based lessor began supporting the industry by providing CFM56-3C1 engines to cargo operators with 737 Classics. 

“It was just sort of an organic entry [into the freighter space] from the -3C1 market, then working with Classics, then having opportunities, primarily with a focus on emerging markets,” Executive Vice President Dora Alexander told Cargo Facts at Cargo Facts LATAM 2024 in Panama City this week. 

Hamden hopes to increase its market share in Latin America and capitalize on the region’s demand for 737 Classic freighters.

“We believe the appetite is there,” Angel Mora, financial analyst at Hamden, says in this week’s episode of “Cargo Facts Connect.” “We’re talking about phasing into Classics and getting rid of the 727s, so there are still plenty of companies out there that are looking for Classics.” 

Additionally, the lessor plans to add the ATR 72-500F to its freighter portfolio and is evaluating Embraer’s new E190F and E195F conversions. 

“We think [the E-Jet platform] makes a lot of sense in terms of that replacement for the -300 and for that sector of the narrowbody,” Alexander says. “So, it really marries well with our relationships in emerging markets and our current lessee base as well as the international connections that we have.” 

Tune in to this week’s “Cargo Facts Connect” to hear more on Hamden Aviation as Alexander and Mora speak with Cargo FactsEditor Jeff Lee in Panama City. 

Singapore Airlines is preparing for the arrival of its first A350F as it continues to manage the hurdles challenging the freighter market.

The airline will gradually retire its 747-400Fs as Airbus starts delivering its new large-widebody in 2026, but no estimate has been given for when the transition will be complete.

“It’s really a lot of work, and rightly so,” Singapore Airlines Senior Vice President of Cargo Marvin Tan said during a fireside chat at Cargo Facts Asia 2024 in Singapore last week. “I mean, we really have to go through all of our processes, our systems, our training, our preparedness, even staff engagement, with a fine-toothed comb.”

Listen to Tan on the latest episode of the “Cargo Facts Connect” podcast.

Singapore Airlines was the first 747-400F operator to commit to the A350F and has seven on firm order.

“From an operational perspective, I think two things. One is that, obviously, you lose the nose-loading capability; for us this is a fairly small segment of the cargo, so I think it’s manageable for us,” Tan says. “The other aspect, of course, is more just the loading configuration, because of the different contours of the aircraft, so some adjustment needed there.”

Geopolitical and economic issues as well as labor and supply chain challenges continue to affect the airfreight industry.

“All these factors come into play in terms of us figuring out how best to make use of the capacity that we have on hand, until, of course, the A350Fs come online,” Tan says.

Tune in to this week’s “Cargo Facts Connect” to hear an edited extract of the discussion with Tan.

Airbus is making steady progress in the industrialization phase of its new A350F program as components come together and test rigs take shape.

“We’re sorting through and finalizing the processes for assembly ready for next year, into final assembly and then first flight,” Airbus Head of Freighter Marketing Crawford Hamilton tellsCargo Facts in this week’s episode of the “Cargo Facts Connect” podcast. “In the meantime, we test and test and test because one of our big targets is to make sure that we have a mature aircraft at EIS.”

Airbus ended 2023 with firm orders for fifty A350Fs thanks to deals in December with Cathay Pacific for at least six and with Turkish Airlines for at least five.

The European planemaker added five A350Fs to its backlog in March after receiving an order from Taiwan-based Starlux Airlines.

“It shows what we’re doing is right and everything I’ve talked about is really coming to fruition and people are starting to see,” Hamilton said.

Airbus and its suppliers are preparing full-scale mockups of components, including the cargo-loading system and the cargo door. Production of the prototype’s fuselage began in 2023.

The first delivery and entry into service of the A350F will take place in 2026.

Tune in to this week’s “Cargo Facts Connect” to hear more on Airbus freighters, and get a sneak peek at next week’s Cargo Facts Asia event in Singapore with Titan Aviation Leasing Chief Commercial Officer Eamonn Forbes and World Star Aviation Chief Marketing Officer Nuno Leal.

Dubai-based Emirates is due to start taking delivery of some of its five new 777Fs this year as part of a 2022 order with Boeing.

The carrier has returned four 777Fs to lessor DAE Capital over the past five years but also added two new units in May and June 2023, bringing its fleet back to eleven 777Fs.

Further growth is on the way, with Emirates planning to convert ten 777-300ERs with IAI.

Though 2023 may have been a lackluster year for freighter operators, Emirates is more optimistic about 2024.

“The year has started up very strongly; we’re seeing exceptionally high tonnages for this time of the year for traditional, past years, I would say,” Nadeem Sultan, senior vice president of freighters and cargo planning at Emirates, tellsCargo Facts in this week’s episode of the “Cargo Facts Connect” podcast, recorded at the IATA World Cargo Symposium 2024 in Hong Kong this month. “So, from that perspective, it looks like a promising year for airfreight overall. We think we probably should expect a growth from 1 to 2% overall in the airfreight market this year.”

Emirates’ expansion and development are twofold, involving more than the fleet.

“There’s a lot of aircraft capacity coming in — both passenger as well as freighter — over the coming couple of years,” Sultan said. “But equally, we’re looking at really investing into the future for our air cargo infrastructure in Dubai, in terms of a new air cargo terminal and expanding our current capabilities. And that’s something that’s going to be a key component as well of Emirates SkyCargo’s future growth strategy.”

Tune in to this week’s podcast to hear more on Emirates as Sultan speaks with Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee in Hong Kong.

ST Engineering last week took redelivery of the first EFW A321-200P2F conversion to be carried out at the Haite Tianjin facility.

Freighter conversions are not new to Haite Tianjin, but the company plans to increase its activity in the segment.

“This business is a very strategic decision because we need to have a mixture of work and the type of work is important to us,” General Manager Ivan Chin tells Cargo Facts in this week’s episode of the “Cargo Facts Connect” podcast, recorded at the redelivery ceremony in Tianjin.

Haite Tianjin has provided touch labor for IAI’s 737NG conversions since 2019 and has completed thirteen 737-800BDSFs and -700BDSFs to date.

The company last week also broke ground for a third hangar offering three additional narrowbody bays for conversions and other MRO work. The hangar is expected to be completed in the second half of 2025.

“[Doing conversions] actually has a lot of this repeatable work that we are looking at,” Chin said. “After the third-phase expansion, that is exactly where we are looking at expansion to cater for the growth, especially in the A320 and A321 cargo conversion market.”

Tune in to this week’s podcast to hear more on Haite as Chin speaks with Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee in Tianjin.

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 week’s episode of the “Cargo Facts Connect” podcast.

7Air is part of Xtreme Holdings and is in discussions with cargo customers. It will not only operate charters but will also move its own freight, Rodriguez said.

With the first two 737-800SFs secured, 7Air is considering adding more 737-800 freighters and is even looking at widebodies.

“As far as the first route, we are concentrating on Central America,” Vice President of Commercial Operations Carlos Cock says. “There’ll be several destinations within Central America.”

Tune in to this week’s podcast to hear more on 7Air Cargo’s plans as Rodriguez and Cock speak with Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee.

Beatrice Peters and David Thimm, vice presidents of new business at Backbone Freighter Leasing, part of the Dr. Peters Group, joined Cargo FactsEditor 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 week’s episode of the “Cargo Facts Connect” podcast. “And we think that the 777-300ER is the future of the widebody segment.”

The 2008-vintage prototype (37704, ex-Emirates) arrived in Wichita, Kansas, (IAB) in September 2021 and will soon undergo structural modification at Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR), with which KMC partnered to launch the 777-300ERCF conversion program in September 2020.

“We are convinced that they are the right people working on the product,” Thimm says.

Tune in to hear from Peters and Thimm as they speak with Lee in Amsterdam.

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:

Seturidze will join a narrowbody freighter panel on Tuesday, Feb. 6, during the conference. Camex obtained its Georgian AOC in August 2022 and operates a 737-800BCF and a 737-800SF. The company also created a Slovenian offshoot, Camex Adria Airlines, which received its AOC in December.

“I think 2024 will show us a lot of things regarding how the market will be improved for the future,” Seturidze says in this week’s podcast.

Hamelink will also join the Feb. 6 panel discussion. Bahrain-based Texel, which flies two 737-800BCFs, two 737-700FCs and one 737-300F, launched and placed three 737-800BCFs with new subsidiary Texel Air Australasia in 2023.

Wednesday, Feb. 7, will begin with a panel on widebody freighters featuring speakers including Avensis’ Sutter and Challenge Group’s Zak.

Avensis announced its A340 freighter conversion in 2023 with launch customer Universal Sky Courier and is targeting a 2026 certification for this next step in its range of cargo modifications.

Challenge Group operates three airlines based in Malta, Israel and Belgium, and has taken its first of four 767-300BDSF conversions. The group will soon also send the first of four 777-300ERs for conversion with IAI.

“I think if we are looking at the signals at the moment, it seems like the market is stabilizing and hopefully we can see a bit more of what we used to in terms of the seasonality,” Zak tells Cargo Facts.

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 Chief Executive Cristiano Koga says in this week’s episode of the “Cargo Facts Connect” podcast. “This is a very important milestone for us because we expect also the volumes to grow after the summertime vacation, which is taking place now in Brazil [until] the second half of February.”

Modern expects a second -800BCF later this year and plans to operate the two NGs alongside its Classics.

The NGs will focus more on cross-border flights, but Classics can also be used on the short hauls, Koga said. 

“For example, for Uruguay and Argentina, we can fly with the Classics, but the NGS are much more effective for international flights and we’re going to dedicate that fleet primarily to the international routes and the Classics will not only be for domestic, but also charters that we have on a regular basis,” he said.

Koga, who was appointed in May 2023, said Modern has a market share of approximately 27% in Brazil but aims to have a double-digit share in other South American markets.

“We have very ambitious and aggressive plans to go overseas with our new aircraft, and to keep investing in those sectors that we believe value our value proposition,” he said.

Tune in to this week’s podcast to learn more on Modern’s plans as Koga speaks with Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee.

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 and Chief Executive Robert Rose says in this week’s episode of the “Cargo Facts Connect” podcast.

“And the process is you need to get this through the supplemental type certification work and then you need to modify your airline certificate to be able to use that STC equipment, and that’s what we’re working on. That’s what we’re planning on doing.”

Simply talking about uncrewed operations and actually going ahead with certification are very different things from an organizational, procedural and safety analysis perspective, Rose said.

“It forces some very different conversations that I think are healthy and necessary,” he said. “It also helps us build data for the FAA that they need to better understand what’s involved in operating an aircraft and UAS. Flight tests like this, I think, take it out of the academic realm — and nothing against academics — but it takes it out of the realm of theory.”

The FAA has been good to work with, contrary to a common perception that it is slow and not receptive to new technology such as uncrewed aircraft, Rose said.

“If you talk with people in the FAA, it’s just not true,” he said. “That is just not reflective of the reality; the FAA wants to innovate and people choose that job. They choose that career path because they want to be at the tip of the spear on new technology.”

Tune in to this week’s podcast to learn more about Reliable Robotics’ testing and vision as Rose speaks with Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee.

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,” Pacific Air Cargo Chief Executive Tanja Janfruechte says in this week’s episode of the “Cargo Facts Connect” podcast.

“But this year, we’re focusing on trying to align with other airlines, not necessarily out of Asia, but Europe and Canada as well. And we’re looking into Mexico — really just trying to see if we can provide some more tail-to-tail options in and out of Hawaii.”

In addition to Kalitta Air’s 747s, Pacific Air Cargo also works with Asia Pacific Airlines and wet leases that carrier’s 757-200Fs. But even with an expanding network, Pacific Air Cargo is unlikely to operate its own freighters, at least for now.

“We’re always open to ideas, but the ACMI model works so well for us that right now, at least in the near future, we’re not looking to move away from that kind of model,” Janfruechte said.

Tune in to this week’s podcast to learn more about Pacific Air Cargo’s plans as Janfruechte speaks with Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee. 

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-term growth of the intra-Africa market. Having said that, the market to and from Africa has not done very well, unfortunately. Some of the key markets, such as South Africa, have actually experienced overcapacity, which has resulted in lower yields.”

Astral began flying its first 767-200BDSF in early 2021. That aircraft is on lease from CAM, from which Astral also expects to lease its first 767-300F in 2024.

“The 767-300 is a very important part of our strategic fleet expansion,” Gadhia said. “And it will actually enable us to also look at operating into new markets which the 767-200 is not able to.”

Meanwhile, Astral is on track to receive its first E190F conversion in 2024 and is considering 777-300ER freighters.

Tune in to this week’s podcast as Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee talks to Gadhia at the Dubai Airshow.

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 said.

Reliable Robotics’ Chief Business Officer Myles Goeller will present on the latest in the development of alternative aircraft and the implementation of flight automation technology in the cargo segment.

“It is very clear to us that the market that is going to adopt this technology first at real scale is going to be the cargo market, starting with small freighter aircraft but over time taking that same technology to large aircraft that carry the bulk of goods today,” Goeller said.

Meanwhile, Tim Komberec, chairman and CEO of Empire Airlines, will discuss the growing regional freighter market as his company takes on more ATR 72-600Fs and Cessna 408 SkyCouriers from FedEx.

“There’s a lot of what I call trimming going on right now as the market kind of normalizes, but I think on the regional side, what we’re seeing is the demand for our services with our customers still strong,” Komberec said.

Tune in to this week’s podcast as Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee looks ahead at next week’s CFS 2023 with Wegel, Goeller and Komberec.

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 majority share.

“EFW conversion slots are fully booked until 2026, and that speaks for itself when it comes to demand for this platform,” Tan said. “So, it’s very active and still healthy today. At the modification sites we have, the conversion work is still ongoing nose to tail, so it’s busy out there.”

Juniper provided the prototype aircraft for EFW’s conversion line at the VT San Antonio Aerospace facility and, more recently, the Haite facility in Tianjin, China (TSN), which cut metal last month.

Tune in to this week’s podcast as Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee speaks with Tan on A320 and A321 freighters.

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 is in sight. The carrier will soon fly unit 23512 between YEG and Yellowknife (YZF) for its affiliate courier company, Buffalo Air Express.

“I would do it all again. I could do it way more efficiently, but I wouldn’t change anything,” McBryan said. “I had so much fun and that what’s it all about at the end. Any restoration project, home reno, school — anything — it’s never about the graduation. It’s about the whole journey and I’m still in the midst of it so I know I can appreciate it.”

McBryan has hinted at plans to add more 737 Classics.

Tune in to this week’s podcast as Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee discusses these topics and more with McBryan.

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 the months ahead, Ramos said.

Ramos is also CEO of aviation services company Aerocharter, which has been helping freighter airlines transition to Mexico City’s new Felipe Angeles International Airport (NLU) and handles most cargo operations there.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced last week that the FAA will soon restore Mexico to Category 1 status, allowing Mexican carriers to launch new routes to the United States again. Mexico was downgraded to Category 2 in May 2021.

“We’re very thankful for the Mexican government and the [Federal Civil Aviation Agency] for moving as quickly as they have in the midst of everything that’s going on with the FAA and getting back to Category 1,” Ramos said. “We’re very thankful and we finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Tune in to this week’s podcast as Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee discusses these topics and more with Ramos.

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, including the twentieth at GAMECO and the seventieth at STAECO.

Meanwhile, Boeing also marked the fifteenth anniversary of its 767-300BCF program this year.

Tune in to this week’s podcast as Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee discusses these topics and more with Weiss, who will speak on a panel covering the freighter conversion market at Cargo Facts Symposium in October.

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 Jeff Lee speaks with Sutter about these projects and more in this week’s podcast.

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 develop its freighter conversion capability.

Additionally, Cock told Cargo Facts that Xtreme recently acquired K&J Aviation, a Miami-based engine maintenance company.

“We’ve seen the market necessity for additional engine shops, and it’s just the right fit to everything else that we’re doing now,” Cock said. “So, we went ahead and made this acquisition, and we’re going to be growing the company in the near future.”

Tune in as Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee speaks to Cock about all this and more in this week’s podcast.

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. “It used to take us thirty minutes to load 500 pieces — now it will take us just two minutes. We can carry more: from small things to big things; from dangerous things to live things.

“This freighter will cover more to connect the rest of Southeast Asia better and take Southeast Asia to Asia Pacific,” he said. “This is why the A321 freighter is the best in its class.”

Tune in for a discussion between Chareonwongsak and Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee.

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 Louisville, Ky.-based logistics giant. As a strike looms, what are the possible ramifications for the industry? Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Andrew Crider discuss. 

Tune in for a podcast discussion of these topics and more for the week ending June 30, 2023.

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 Associate Editor Robert Luke and Associate Editor Andrew Crider of these topics and more for the week ending June 23, 2023.

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 A330-300P2F is among the youngest to be converted and brings improved capabilities to the market. More young aircraft are entering the conversion pipeline.

Luke also shares an update on Denver-based Crestone Air Partners. 

Tune in for a discussion of these topics and more for the week ending June 16, 2023.

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 Cargo Facts.

ULS Airlines Cargo in Turkey made the decision to add 737-800BCFs, notable given the airline’s previous interest to add A321s. The acquisition is a sign that 737-800 freighters are more readily available.

Lastly, FedEx and UPS continue to send MD-11Fs to Victorville for storage or retirement, marking the impending end of an era for the three-engined aircraft among legacy carriers.

The editors end by looking ahead to the second half of 2023.

Tune in for a discussion of these topics and more for the week ending June 9, 2023.

In this episode, Cargo FactsAssociate 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 flights have taught Natilus and how the company is growing.

Tune in for a discussion of these topics and more for the week ending May 26, 2023.

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 freighters.

Meanwhile, during the panel discussions, stakeholders heard from executives such as Mas Chief Executive Luis Sierra, who expanded on the carrier’s e-commerce strategy, and Cargo Three Interlines Director Rodrigo De Narvaez, who took attendees inside the executive boardroom and shared details on the airline’s decision to acquire ex-FedEx MD-10-30Fs.

LATAM Cargo Chief Executive Andres Bianchi joined the event for a fireside chat and provided a glimpse into how the airline established its presence in the region and what the future holds for Latin America’s largest cargo operator.

Tune in for a recap of the inaugural LATAM event and more for the week ending May 19, 2023.

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 United Arab Emirates.

In the conventional air freighter sector, Boeing received its first order of the year for its 777F last month from an unidentified customer; Canadian North flew its final 737-200C flight earlier this month; and Nexus Aviation acquired the first of two A321-200s the lessor will convert to freighters.

Tune in for a discussion of these topics and more for the week ending May 12, 2023.

In this week’s episode of the “Cargo Facts Connect” podcast, Cargo FactsEditor 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; Cargo Three is adding ex-FedEx MD-10Fs; and Airbus has delayed entry into service of the A350F into 2026.

Tune in for a discussion of these topics and more for the week ending May 5, 2023.

In this episode, Cargo FactsEditor 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 Brazil, Speedbird signed a partnership with Israel-based High Lander for the traffic management of its drones. The partnership will allow Speedbird to certify two of its drone types while prepping the company for expansion outside of Brazil.

Meanwhile, new operators continue to emerge with the A321F platform. Malaysia-based Raya Airways recently took its first, while a new carrier in Brazil intends to fly the type. BBAM signaled it would take up to ten A321Fs by yearend, and Global Crossing also specified the latest delivery timeline for its A321Fs.

Tune in for a discussion of these topics and more for the week ending April 28, 2023.

In this episode, Cargo FactsEditor 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 surplus of freighters.

Lee, Crider, Ochovo and Edgar also look back at the sentiments and perspectives of executives on the 737-800F and A321-200F platforms.

Tune in for a discussion of these topics and more for the week ending April 21, 2023.

In this episode, Cargo FactsEditor 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.

Lee and Crider also speculate about the recent mystery order for four A350Fs.

Tune in for a discussion of these topics and more for the week ending April 14, 2023.

In this episode, Cargo FactsEditor 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 a discussion of these topics and more for the week ending April 7, 2023.

In this episode, Cargo FactsEditor 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 Group has seemingly found an alternative to the western widebody freighters it operated, investing in the Il-96-400T. Recent imagery shows a 2003-vintage airframe recently adorned in the colors of the group’s subsidiary, AirBridgeCargo.

Tune in for a discussion of these topics and more for the week ending March 31, 2023.

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 drone was involved in a crash during testing. No victims were reported, and the crash remains under investigation.

Tune in for a discussion with Cargo FactsEditor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke of these topics and more for the week ending March 24, 2023.

In this week’s episode of the “Cargo Facts Connect” podcast, Cargo FactsEditor 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 charging station that functions with a detachable droid.

Tune in for a discussion of these topics and more for the week ending March 17, 2023.

In this episode, Cargo FactsEditor 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.

Tune in for a discussion of these topics and more for the week ended March 10, 2023.

In this week’s episode of the “Cargo Facts Connect” podcast, Cargo FactsEditor 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 calls. Companies in the freighter industry reported drops in revenue without drops in optimism as the markets adjust to the new normal.

Finally, Lee shares news about A321F conversions, with an additional site coming online at Sichuan Airlines’ own MRO and SmartLynx securing a new ACMI customer.

Tune in for a discussion of these topics and more for the week ended March 3, 2023.

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. Meanwhile, Qantas will add more A321 conversions, and SmartLynx earned approval from the Australian government, which prompted a discussion on Asia-Pacific market developments as a whole. This week also saw the launch of a new airline in South Africa.

Tune in for a discussion of these topics and more for the week ended Feb. 24, 2023.

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 Aerospace.

On the manned aircraft front, the team looks at Awesome Cargo, which received its first A330 for the start of operations, and Mesa Airlines, which will soon begin flying its first DHL 737-800F.

Tune in for a discussion of these topics and more for the week ended Feb. 17, 2023.

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 conference In addition there is a discussion of Zero Petroleum's new synthetic aviation fuel and the impact it could have on the industry.

Tune in to hear about these topics and more for the week ended Feb. 10, 2023.