Here is a brief overview over the freighter fleet development during the last couple of weeks together with new business strategies pursued by some carriers.
SkyLease Cargo B747F seized in Brazil
A B747-400F belonging to SkyLease Cargo with the US registration number N903AR was impounded on 16th November by Brazilian authorities at Sao Paulo‘s Viracopas airport due to claims
presented to the Brazilian Labour Court that the carrier has unpaid outstanding debts amounting to almost US$4 million.
The aircraft had positioned into Viracopas from Miami as a normal freight flight.
It is said that the claim against SkyLease Cargo, a sister company of Centurion Cargo, was made by a group of ground staff and pilots who apparently have not been paid for overtime worked and
contract termination payouts.
It is not clear whether the aircraft is still on ground in VCP or if it has in the meantime been released.
LATAM defers aircraft deliveries - subleases freighter
The LATAM Airlines Group has shown a US$113.3 million net loss for the third quarter of this year.
As a result the carrier will defer delivery of various aircraft types, including a sublease on one of their four Boeing 777Fs to Southern Air (USA) for a two year period.
Whether one or more of the remaining B777Fs will be leased out is not clear.
The carrier has decided to cut down its fleet capital expenditure by around US3billion between 2016 and 2018.
It is ridding itself of the last Airbus A330-200s and six A350-900 orders have been replaced as A350-1000 aircraft with deferred delivery starting only in 2017.
Western Global gets its first B747F
The U.S. carrier based in Sarasota/Bradenton has just got its first Boeing 747-400F as an addition to their fleet of eleven MD-11F aircraft.
The new Jumbo Freighter which was formerly with Atlas Air and which carries the tail number N356KD is being primarily used on the Los Angeles to Seoul route.
ACG Air Cargo flirts with possible passenger operation
Air Cargo Global (ACG) which is based in Bratislava is said to be looking at opening up a passenger operation between China and Bratislava for Chinese tourist groups.
There is no information as to which type of aircraft they may consider or from whom they would be leased or purchased.
ACG, a follow on of the defunct Air Cargo Germany, operates with two of the previous owners B747-400Fs and many of their present employees are one time Air Cargo Germany staff.
Quite something different than just flying cargo.
John Mc Donagh
Write a comment