In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor 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 Facts Editor 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 Facts Editor 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 Facts Editor 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 Facts Editor 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.