Kalitta Air (K4, Detroit Willow Run) has taken delivery of the world's first two B777-300(ERSF)s on lease from AerCap, shortly after the new Israel Aerospace Industries conversion was certified.

N778CK (msn 32789) was ferried from Tel Aviv Ben Gurion via Detroit Metropolitan to Oscoda on September 11-12, followed by sistership N770CK (msn 32792) the day after. Both aircraft are ex-Emirates stock and were built in 2005 and 2006, respectively. The American cargo specialist plans to induct them into service in early October.

Kalitta Air signed up for seven B777-300(ERSF)s from AerCap and expects further deliveries "over the coming weeks". ch-aviation data shows there are currently at least seven more AerCap-owned B777-300ERs under conversion at Tel Aviv, including five more ex-Emirates units and one each ex-Philippine Airlines and ex-EgyptAir.

"We are proud to be the launch operator for the first B777-300(ERSF). This aircraft will give us greater range and payload capability to meet growing demand in the global cargo market," chief executive Connie Kalitta said.

The airline plans to gradually replace its legacy fleet of B747 freighters with the new B777s. ch-aviation data shows it currently operates nine B747-400(BCF)s, one B747-400ERF, thirteen B747-400FSCDs, and eight production B777-200Fs.

The IAE-developed B777-300(ERSF) variant is the first of three conversion programmes for the B777 aircraft to obtain certification and enter into service. The two other versions are under development at Mammoth Freighters and Kansas Modification Center.