Six months after the crash of a UPS plane and the FAA ordered the grounding of all MD-11 aircraft, FedEx has been authorized to fly the freighter jets again.
FedEx is in the final stages of resurrecting its MD-11 fleet after helping Boeing redesign a part that contributed to the fiery crash of a UPS jet in November, executives said during an employee briefing on Wednesday.
DHL Global Forwarding is partnering with sister units DHL Aviation and DHL Express to provide dedicated transport service for customers with non-parcel, heavy freight cargo moving from Asia to the U.S. and Europe.
Rep. Morgan McGarvey of Kentucky has asked the Federal Aviation Administration to ban MD-11s from flying again following the November crash of a UPS jet in Louisville last year.
FedEx is telling pilots and other personnel to get ready for the return to service of the MD-11 freighter as federal regulators could soon approve a Boeing fix for the grounded aircraft.
Qantas has increased cargo connectivity between Sydney, Australia and Asia with a new freighter service to Singapore.
Air Transport Services Group has hired a new president for its cargo aircraft leasing arm.
FedEx continues to show strong optimism that it will soon begin operating its fleet of MD-11 freighters despite no signs from regulators investigating the deadly UPS accident about when they’ll lift the aircraft’s flight ban.
UPS has accelerated the retirement of its MD-11 freighter fleet because they will likely require extensive repairs to make them airworthy following a fatal crash and there are newer planes in the delivery pipeline.
FedEx expects to eat $175 million in extra costs to replace capacity caused by the temporary grounding of MD-11 aircraft, but that’s a blip for a company that just reported a $1.6 billion operating income and a 19% gain in adjusted earnings per share.
FedEx has adjusted its air network and flying schedule to overcome the loss of grounded MD-11 freighter aircraft, but the changes have overwhelmed staff dedicated to supporting pilots laying over in destination cities.
FedEx has removed MD-11 freighter flights from its December schedule. The carrier could be without the freighters for a long time as aviation authorities investigate the cause of the recent UPS MD-11 crash.
DHL Express has switched to a larger cargo jet operating between Hong Kong and a major manufacturing region in Malaysia to keep up with transport demand.
UPS is making adjustments to keep shipments moving after taking 27 MD-11 aircraft out of service for inspections trying to help customers with stranded goods in a warehouse damaged during the Nov. 4 crash of a UPS flight.
The FAA has prohibited all MD-11 aircraft from flying after the deadly crash of a UPS MD-11 cargo jet this week.
The National Transportation Safety Board will conduct an exhaustive examination of the events leading up to the crash of a UPS MD-11 freighter on Tuesday, but hopes to quickly finish evidence collection on the Louisville airfield so UPS can resume critical shipping activity.
Air China Cargo will be the first mainland Chinese carrier to order the all-new Airbus A350 freighter.
FedEx is responding to a downturn in express parcel and freight demand out of China to the United States by shifting some air assets to Asia.
UPS is readjusting its air freight network in response to high demand within Asia as volumes from China to the U.S. decrease.
The U.S. cancellation of duty-free treatment for de minimis packages cut FedEx income by $150 million and forced the airline unit to reduce flights.
Northern Air Cargo is giving up business with DHL Express to launch scheduled flights between Seattle and Anchorage, but will face stiff competition from incumbent Alaska Airlines.
Startup cargo airline One Air continues to expand its fleet, airport hubs and service offerings.
FedEx is investing heavily to expand its parcel and freight logistics service in Saudi Arabia.
Maersk Air Cargo has introduced service to South America and hired two veteran airfreight executives to lead the business.
Korean Air has ordered eight next-generation 777-8 freighters from Boeing.
Saudia Cargo is leasing Airbus A330 cargo aircraft and crews from ASL Airlines Ireland to operate on its behalf.
Boeing and Airbus are moving into the production phase for their next-generation freighter aircraft, which they hope to release to customers later this decade.
FedEx has permanently parked 12 cargo jets as it aligns the fleet with shipping volumes to control costs.
Qantas Freight has added direct cargo flights to Shanghai and Bangkok, where shipments can connect to U.S.-bound freighters.
Amazon’s air logistics unit has started flying internationally for the first time from the U.S. to help fulfill e-commerce orders in Colombia and is leaning on a U.S. cargo airline to fly the aircraft and a Colombian airline for revenue on the return leg to Miami.
Airbus has won an order from a Saudi Arabian aircraft leasing company for 10 next-generation A350 cargo jets.
Western Global Airlines is a shell of its former self, but Middle East carrier Etihad Airways is partnering with the company because it needs more lift to meet shipper demand for transportation between China and the UK.
Awesome Cargo will soon begin flying its first main-deck freighter after starting out with a couple of seat-free passenger aircraft that can only carry light boxes in the cabin.
Purolator’s airfreight partner in western Canada is modifying turboprop aircraft for parcel transport as part of a fleet modernization.
China Airlines is investing in 14 next-gen 777 jetliners from Boeing, including all-cargo aircraft.
FedEx continues to implement its Tricolor efficiency strategy with the conversion of a 777 freighter aircraft from its parcel to its heavy air cargo network.
Amazon contract carrier Sun Country Airlines says finding parts is slightly slowing deployment of new Amazon freighter aircraft.
An asset management company in Dubai has placed a large order to convert used Airbus A330 passenger aircraft to an all-cargo configuration for customers in the India market.
U.S. safety investigators are calling for airlines to inspect Boeing 757s for faulty latches that could prevent evacuation slides from deploying after an accident involving FedEx.
Amazon has restructured its air network to accommodate the need for fewer short-haul package flights and a new clientele of shippers with heavy freight.
Canada’s WestJet is backing out of the cargo business after two years because of a difficult competitive environment.
FedEx has switched from downsizing to incrementally growing its air cargo fleet by ordering large 777 freighters and postponing plans to retire older MD-11 jets.
Air Transport Services Group had lackluster results in 2024 but hopes that leasing Airbus A330 freighters for the first time this year will improve the bottom line.
Canada’s Purolator is getting more efficient freighters for its feeder network in western Canada through its partnership with KF Aerospace.
Emirates SkyCargo has hired startup Compass Cargo Airlines to operate two Boeing 747-400 freighters in its global freight network.
Several freighter operators are flying new routes this year between Europe, Asia and the Middle East to meet increased customer demand.
Federal Express’ strategy for improving profitability and soft parcel volumes includes redeploying aircraft for daytime international flights to capture containerized cargo.
Air Canada bought two medium 767 cargo jets from Boeing last year with the goal of growing the cargo business, but changing economic factors have led the company to lease the planes to Ethiopian Airlines.
The air logistics sector has been riding high all year, but market watchers caution that growth in 2025 could slow sharply.
The air cargo market will double in size over the next 20 years, and express will be the industry’s main growth engine, Boeing said in a new forecast.
Delivery of replacement aircraft for five freighters recently retired by Avianca Cargo has been pushed back by six months or more, but the airline has still been able to maintain revenue levels.
The air cargo market has enjoyed a banner year, but the peak shipping season is less pronounced.
Amazon has added 21 Air to its roster of air cargo transport providers.
Air Transport Services Group said fewer aircraft in revenue service plus higher expenses led to a reduction in core operating profit during the third quarter, but the current quarter is expected to be better.
The company that produces A321 converted freighters is adding a production line in Japan on the expectation that cargo airlines in the region will need more standard-size freighters.
The strong air cargo market acted as a tailwind for Air Canada in the third quarter.
EFW, a company that specializes in passenger-to-freighter conversions, is shutting down its U.S. assembly plants because of shortages in skilled labor and other problems that have delayed delivery of large aircraft to Amazon.
WestJet Cargo is trying to find an alternative revenue stream after a new investment in four freighter aircraft didn’t meet revenue expectations.
Qantas has deployed a new Airbus A321 freighter, allowing it to offer more service options for customers in Oceania and Asia.
Three freighter operators are among the early adopters of an innovative aircraft coating inspired by sharks that makes aircraft more aerodynamic and fuel-efficient.
Air cargo professionals are bullish about the second half of the year as the traditional peak season approaches, but uncertainty remains about how the market will play out.
Cargojet’s domestic and international flying business posted solid gains in the second quarter thanks to e-commerce demand in Canada.
Magma Aviation, which charters aircraft under management control, has begun Middle East operations with two narrowbody cargo jets sourced from its parent company.
Air Canada has jettisoned two freighter aircraft from its fleet because there isn’t enough business to justify the cost.
Sun Country Airlines expects to double its cargo revenue once a revised transportation contract with Amazon is fully implemented in 2026.
FedEx is rebranding its cargo jets by erasing the Express descriptor to signify there are no longer separate Express and Ground operations, just One FedEx.
DHL is beefing up its aircraft maintenance capacity in Europe.
FedEx will fly fewer aircraft and go to fewer U.S. cities starting this fall after the U.S. Postal Service gave its primary air cargo contract to a competitor.
The Embraer E190 cargo jet is getting closer to commercial service after Brazil’s aviation authority signed off on the passenger-to-freighter conversion plan.
More than 100 Boeing 757s that underwent passenger-to-freighter conversions by Precision Aircraft Solutions need to be inspected and repaired to address the risk of cracking in an external component.
Airbus slightly trimmed its demand forecast for freighter aircraft but said airlines would need more large cargo jets than previously estimated. As if on cue, Emirates ordered more 777s from rival Boeing.
My Freighter is growing its fleet so it can be your freighter in the Asia-Europe region.
FedEx is cutting nearly 20% of its Boeing 757 cargo jets because of soft demand and efforts to modernize the fleet.
A Nippon Cargo Airlines 747-400 freighter operated by Atlas Air experienced a tire and landing gear failure at Hong Kong airport, blocking a runway for eight hours.
Maersk has ambitious plans for its dedicated cargo airline to become a major piece of its integrated logistics service, alongside its ocean container business.
FedEx will soon begin streamlining flight operations in line with changing market demand and a world in which it no longer is the prime contractor for the U.S. Postal Service.
DHL’s supply chain unit has invested nearly $100 million to set up an air line haul operation with the help of a local airline that will support logistics customers in Brazil.
Maersk is pursuing its air cargo ambitions with a new freight station in Miami and its first two Boeing 777 freighters.
The date for entry into service of two Alaska Airlines aircraft continues to slide because of problems with Boeing’s modification to a cargo configuration.
Amazon has deepened its relationship with Air Transport Services Group, agreeing to lease at least 10 widebody freighters for five years in exchange for rights to increase its ownership stake.
Bluebird Nordic had ambitious growth plans a year ago. Now the cargo airline is out of business.
Hawaiian Airlines won’t fly as many cargo jets for Amazon as expected this year because of supply issues and Amazon’s timing preference for integrating aircraft into the fleet.
It’s not a great return on investment to acquire an aircraft and immediately ground it because demand is soft. But that’s what Saltchuk Aviation and its Alaska-based subsidiary Northern Air Cargo have done.
My Freighter, a fledgling carrier based in Uzbekistan, began leasing a third widebody freighter from Ohio-based Air Transport Services Group.
FedEx Express has parked more freighters, reduced aircraft capex and is integrating its daytime freighter network with the Freight segment’s less-than-truckload operation to provide linehaul connecting the U.S. and Europe to boost efficiency.
A DePaul University report says Amazon’s air logistics unit is increasing efficiency by adopting a hub-and-spoke operating system for its cargo jets and airport locations.
Airbus for years has operated whale-shaped cargo jets to support its manufacturing operation in Europe. Now it has dedicated a portion of its fleet to haul extra-large shipments for external customers.
Air Transport Services Group is taking a more conservative approach to fleet expansion until the air cargo market picks up and customers start leasing additional freighters.
Canadian operator Cargojet sharply scaled back fleet investments last year to stabilize the bottom line but reports the Q4 upturn in air cargo business carried over to the new year.
FedEx has more cargo jets than it needs for its express package network. Some of those planes will now be used to try and capture a larger share of the general cargo market. In doing so, FedEx will go head to head with all-cargo carriers like Atlas Air, Cathay Pacific and Nippon Cargo Airlines.
New owners have taken control of troubled Amerijet, which is scuttling several aircraft leases and laying off more workers to preserve cash.
Japan Airlines is restarting its freighter division after 13 years and will fly three 767s exclusively for DHL.
Air China Cargo is adding Airbus freighters to its fleet after previously operating Boeing jets.
Turkish Airlines said it plans to buy five large freighters from Airbus.
Cargo airline Amerijet is operating fewer aircraft to conserve money as shipping demand from major customers shrinks.
Cargojet wants to dump eight aircraft that were part of of its growth strategy and postpone converting two more aircraft into cargo jets as the weak cargo market shrinks profit margins.
Air Transport Services Group is slowing investment in converted freighters as a weak shipping market leads cargo airlines to pause fleet expansion.
The freighter conversion business is slowing down, but there remains residual momentum from carriers such as IndiGo.
Air Canada said it is taking a slower approach to adding cargo jets because there isn’t enough demand now to justify the investment.
Amazon Air is downsizing operations at Leipzig/Halle International Airport.
