Alaska Airlines launch customer for B737-700P2F programme

Emirates to convert more of its own B777-300(ER)s

Emirates (EK, Dubai Int'l) has signed a commitment to convert six of its own B777-300(ER)s into freighters, increasing its total order for converted B777-300(ER)s to ten units.

The airline did not clarify whether the additional six units would also be converted by Israel Aerospace Industries under its B777-300(ER)(SF) programme, like the first four announced in November 2021. The Israeli MRO firm has yet to obtain a supplemental type certificate for its conversion of the widebody twinjet. Mammoth Freighters and Eastern Airlines are independently planning to certify their own B777 conversion variants.

Emirates told Cargo Facts it had yet to identify which of its B777-300(ER)s it will convert. The ch-aviation fleets advanced module shows that the carrier operates 124 B777-300(ER)s, of which it owns 64.

The airline's current cargo fleet comprises eleven B777-200Fs with one more due for delivery from Boeing (BOE, Washington National) this month. It plans to return two of the B777-200Fs leased from DAE Capital as the converted -300(ER)s start delivering to...

India's HAL to buy B767s for tankers, eyes B747 conversion

Hindustan Aeronautics (Bangalore HAL) will shortly flight a tender for the purchase of six second-hand B767s to be converted into tanker aircraft for the Indian Air Force in line with an agreement from April 2022, The Hindu has reported.

An official from the manufacturer said the tender, acquisition, and conversion of the aircraft will likely take three to four years. While HAL did not specify which B767 variant it would seek, it will carry out their conversion in cooperation with Israel Aerospace Industries.

The Indian Air Force currently operates six Soviet-era Il-78MKIs as its only multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) and has been looking to replace them with new aircraft for a while. Boeing manufactures tanker derivatives of the B767-200 - the B767-200(KC-767) and the B767-2C(KC-46A) - but there are currently no converted B767-based MRTTs in service, the ch-aviation fleets advanced module shows.

The Memorandum of Understanding between the Indian and Israeli firms also covers future cooperation in cargo conversions.

HAL said it was also...

Taiwan's EVA Air to order another B777-200F

EVA Air (BR, Taipei Taoyuan) has obtained board authorisation to order a ninth B777-200F, with delivery expected by the end of 2023.

The carrier said in a press release that it selected the B777-200F to "secure a competitive edge in [the cargo] markets" and to capitalise on the projected steady growth in cargo demand. The Taiwanese carrier currently operates eight B777-200Fs, which are 2.5 years of age on average, the ch-aviation fleets advanced module shows. It does not have any other dedicated freighters in the fleet or on order directly from the manufacturer. In March 2022, it announced a commitment with Israel Aerospace Industries to convert three of its B777-300(ER)s (of which it operates 34) into freighters. The deliveries of the B777-300(ER)(SF)s are, however, not scheduled to begin before 2025.

EVA Air President Clay Sun said the carrier continued to look for "the best next-generation freighter" but did not provide any details as to when it would place an order.

As Taiwan remains largely closed for international travel...

Canada's Cargojet to deploy four B777s for DHL

Cargojet Airways (W8, Hamilton, ON) will deploy four of its eight forthcoming B777 converted freighters under a long-term capacity agreement with new minority shareholder DHL Express, FreightWaves has reported citing an investor note from BMO Capital Markets.

The Canadian cargo specialist plans to place its first four B777s with DHL, with service entry expected in late 2023 or early 2024. The deal with the forwarder is for five years, extendable by another two.

The other four B777s will be placed on block-hour contracts with multiple customers.

Sources said Cargojet's B777 fleet would comprise four B777-200(LR)(MF) converted freighters from Mammoth Freighters and four B777-300(ER)s converted by Israel Aerospace Industries. The airline has so far publicly confirmed an order for two -200(LR)(MF)s, a further two -200s without a specified conversion variant, and four -300s also without a specific variant. The -300s are scheduled to deliver between late 2024 and early 2026.

The airline's current fleet comprises nine B757-200(PCF)s, three B767-200(ERBDSF)s, four B767-300(ERBCF)s, and thirteen B767-300(ERBDSF)s, the...