Cargo Facts Connect
128 episodes - English - Latest episode: 12 days ago - ★ - 4 ratingsCargo Facts Connect addresses all things freighters and aircraft. Connect delves into what's new in freighter transactions, belly capacity trends, conversion activity and aircraft finance. Brought to you by Cargo Facts, long the industry's leading information resource on freighter aircraft, Cargo Facts Connect gets you inside the freighter business.
Cargo Facts has been the newsletter of record of the air cargo and freighter aircraft industries for over 40 years. Cargo Facts, published by Royal Media, provides its readers with timely, actionable news and industry intelligence. The deep value in Cargo Facts centers on its detailed coverage of the market and exploration of every nuance of air cargo and freighter aircraft.
Cargo Facts offers a Premium subscription service, which includes a digital monthly newsletter, a weekly email Update, exclusive event discounts, and more. The Cargo Facts Premium subscription provides its subscribers with unparalleled coverage of the market. Subscribe now at https://cargofacts.com/subscribe/.
Cargo Facts produces the following leading industry events: Cargo Facts EMEA, Cargo Facts Asia and the Cargo Facts Symposium.
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Episodes
Drone, GlobalX and A321F milestones
November 05, 2022 00:57 - 11 minutes - 11 MBIn this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss a string of new entries into the drone market, with launch orders for products from Dufour Aerospace and Sabrewing. Meanwhile, Global Crossing Airlines is nearing the delivery and entry into service of its first two A321Fs, which will join the fleet before the end of the year, and another lessor is entering the A321F segment. Tune in for a discussion of these topics and more for ...
Cargo Facts Symposium 2022 highlights
October 28, 2022 19:41 - 17 minutes - 16.3 MBIn this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Andrew Crider look back on some of the highlights from Cargo Facts Symposium 2022, and discuss the 777F vs A350F panel, the current state of conversions and the impact of regional freighters on the global air cargo market. Additionally, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has engaged electrical power on its first 777-300ERSF prototype after its conversion, meaning IAI is on track for its anticipated first flight in Nove...
A look ahead at Cargo Facts Symposium 2022
October 14, 2022 23:10 - 12 minutes - 11.5 MBIn this week’s episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss the upcoming Cargo Facts Symposium taking place at the InterContinental in San Diego on Oct 19-21. This year's Symposium will feature a fireside chat with Peter Corfitsen, chief executive of Maersk Air Cargo. The team gives a glimpse into the most highly anticipated panels on the agenda, including one on the large-widebody segment and another on the state of freighter leas...
A week of firsts for manufacturers and STC holders
October 01, 2022 00:40 - 9 minutes - 8.67 MBIn this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss a week of milestones for the freighter aircraft industry. The first milestone was the first flight of an all-new aircraft type. with Eviation’s Alice aircraft becoming the world's first fully electric aircraft to take flight. The aircraft promises to have a cargo variant and has secured DHL as a launch customer. The editors then turn to Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Xtre...
FedEx shuffles vintage fleet, new aircraft on the horizon
September 24, 2022 02:10 - 12 minutes - 11.9 MBIn this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss FedEx reactivating vintage trijet airframes ahead of peak season. The once-parked freighters will step in for several 757s, which will take their place in the desert. The editors then discuss a number of new aircraft — both manned and unmanned — that have passed, or are approaching, major milestones in their development, representing the future of the air cargo market.
Regional expansion and regional freighters
September 16, 2022 23:00 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MBIn this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss a potential new regional cargo operator in South Korea, with Hi Air planning to use as many as six ATR 72-500Fs. The airline will pair up with a company called Caelum that is looking to convert ATRs to start, but which may even move on to A321s and A330s. The team then turns to regional growth in Southeast Asia, with Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia all featuring in Cargo Facts st...
Two A330 Class E STCs and other market insights
September 09, 2022 23:32 - 17 minutes - 15.7 MBIn this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss the state of the used-aircraft market, and how current market conditions are affecting business in the freighter conversion space. The team addresses the certification this week of a new A330 Class E modification product and evaluate it alongside another program currently in development. Listen as the editors assess the two programs, their customers and how much business can be e...
New production widebody additions amid fresh narrowbody conversions
September 02, 2022 23:56 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MBIn this week’s episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss a week of growth for both UPS and FedEx, which continue to expand their freighter fleets with Boeing widebody aircraft. Elsewhere, e-commerce has led to further 737 freighter adoption in China, with two airlines joining the maindeck market and announcing the start of 737-800BCF operations. The team also takes a quick look at some upcoming A321F redeliveries. Meanwhile, th...
A week of 737-800F happenings and regional expansion
August 26, 2022 20:25 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBIn this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss 737-800 freighter transactions involving companies like GOL, Texel Air and Northern Air Cargo. The team then turns to Boeing’s medium widebody, with SF Airlines, DHL and Cargo Aircraft Management continuing their conversions and a new player moving into 767 freighters. Meanwhile, two different airlines are supplementing their regional fleets by taking delivery of Saab 340B aircra...
A widebody damaged, more widebody placements and a sprinkling of everything else
August 12, 2022 22:54 - 12 minutes - 11.9 MBIn this week’s episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss an incident involving a Qatar Airways 777F, which took damage after colliding with a pole at Chicago’s O'Hare Airport (ORD). The team then turns to AerCap’s placement of 95% of its twenty 777-300ERSF conversions, as well as a series of A321 developments before looking at a breakdown of Q2’s transactions and the new Alia eVTOL aircraft from Beta Technologies.
A week of widebody freighter developments
August 06, 2022 04:31 - 9 minutes - 8.78 MBIn this week’s episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss the breaking news of Atlas Air’s acquisition by Apollo Global Management and others. The team then looks at other developments involving major operators or large widebody freighters, including UPS holding two more options for the venerable 747-8F and Air Canada ordering the 777F.
The Queen comes back for another dance
July 30, 2022 00:15 - 14 minutes - 13.7 MBIn this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss a couple more tidbits from Farnborough. They then look at recent 767 developments before turning to the Queen of the Skies.
A freighter-filled Farnborough
July 22, 2022 17:28 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MBIn this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee speaks with Jim Edgar, senior consultant of Cargo Facts Consulting, about Edgar’s memories from previous versions of the Farnborough International Airshow. Listen as the two also discuss some of the week’s major highlights, like Cargolux endorsing the 777-8F, De Havilland’s new freighter conversions, 737-800BCF orders and more.
Farnborough Airshow excitement and continued freighter transactions
July 15, 2022 23:09 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MBIn this week’s episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss hype leading up to this year’s Farnborough Airshow, which Cargo Facts will be attending to provide breaking news coverage for our readers and listeners. The editorial team then look at the potential for more 777-8F and A350F orders, as well as continued interest in the 757 and A330, both having a number of interesting developments this week.
India woes, new operators and fleet expansions
July 09, 2022 00:06 - 10 minutes - 10.1 MBIn this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss Spicejet suffering repeat safety issues and the imminent growth of India’s freighter fleet. They then look at Raya Airways’ expansion into Airbus narrowbodies, 737NG freighters in Georgia and three new 767-300Fs that have now found a home.
Avionics, drones and a mid-year scorecard
July 01, 2022 22:44 - 8 minutes - 8.23 MBIn this episode, Cargo Facts Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke start with systems upgrades and more 777 conversion news. They then discuss two items published this week, including our magazine feature where the team went in depth with a number of manufacturers who are bringing products and new aircraft to the emerging cargo drone space, as well as a mid-year overview of freighter aircraft deliveries and redeliveries, featuring commentary from Cargo Facts Consulting. ...
Large widebody developments, rumors of an An-225 rebirth and an actual reawakening
June 25, 2022 00:14 - 10 minutes - 10 MBIn this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Andrew Crider discuss updates to the 777-300ERCF and A350F programs, as well as a flurry of 737 transactions. The editors then take a look at increased developments for the An-225 rebuild project and a mysterious 747 Classic that has arisen from the dead amid a flurry of pop-culture references.
Carbon fiber, carbon emissions and new freighter types
June 17, 2022 23:18 - 18 minutes - 16.5 MBIn this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss rumors that Boeing is exploring adding a 787 freighter type to its portfolio; European Aviation Group’s new company and pursuit of an A340 cargo STC; and YTO Cargo Airlines’ plans to start flying the ARJ21 freighter conversion later in 2022. The editors also talk briefly about some MRO developments involving both narrowbodies and widebodies.
Air cargo tech advances while freighter conversions continue
June 11, 2022 01:15 - 9 minutes - 8.9 MBIn this episode, Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke are joined by Kelly Stroh, associate editor of sister publication Air Cargo World, who shares takeaways from the inaugural Air Cargo Tech Summit in Miami. Crider and Luke then move on to look at more 737NG freighters heading to operators based in South Korea.
Humanitarian aid takes flight, plus more IAI conversions
June 03, 2022 23:29 - 8 minutes - 7.85 MBIn this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss aid delivery using drones, Emirates converting its own 777 feedstock into freighters and IAI’s first 737-800BDSF conversion at Atitech in Italy. Crider also checks in from West Virginia after conducting a humanitarian relief flight in his own aircraft.
Medium-widebody growth in Latin America and Asia
May 27, 2022 21:43 - 5 minutes - 4.92 MBIn this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss another 737 Classic freighter on the move, Avianca adding A330-300P2Fs to its fleet and testing A321F operations, and LATAM making headlines with its medium-widebody additions.
CFC Freighter Forecast and market outlook
May 21, 2022 06:44 - 16 minutes - 15.2 MBIn this episode, Cargo Facts Associate Editor Andrew Crider and Cargo Facts Consulting Managing Director Frederic Horst discuss the post-pandemic outlook for the freighter market, the economic impact on the industry’s growth, the strength of international express, and the growth of the narrowbody and widebody segments.
CF EMEA highlights and more
May 14, 2022 01:32 - 9 minutes - 8.8 MBIn this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss several news items that emerged from Cargo Facts EMEA in Dubai, including Astral Aviation’s A330P2F plans and updates on conversions, lessors and operators. The editors then look at other developments that added to what was already a busy week.
Ukraine, Airbus conversions and EMEA preview
May 06, 2022 21:35 - 9 minutes - 8.32 MBIn this episode, Cargo Facts Deputy Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss several news items from this week, including Airbus narrowbody and widebody conversions, earnings released by Atlas Air and ATSG, and updates on Ukraine. The editors then look ahead to Cargo Facts EMEA in Dubai next week.
Twin widebody freighters take off
April 29, 2022 22:41 - 6 minutes - 5.76 MBIn this episode, Deputy Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss several of the week’s news items, including Icelandair’s first 767-300BCF preparing for conversion with the second one to follow later in May, and firm orders for three 777-300ERCF conversions announced at this week’s MRO Americas event in Dallas.
April showers bring more 737 Classic movements
April 23, 2022 02:46 - 7 minutes - 6.47 MBIn this episode, Cargo Facts Deputy Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Andrew Crider discuss how e-commerce giant Mercado Libre continues to shake up the freighter fleets of Latin American carriers. They then look at how a number of 737-300F and -400F developments created a banner week for the 737 Classic family.
Assorted freighter milestone easter eggs
April 16, 2022 00:03 - 9 minutes - 8.31 MBIn this episode, Cargo Facts Deputy Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Andrew Crider discuss a couple of freighter milestones this week, including GlobalX’s first A321P2F having its door cut and another A350F commitment being finalized. The editors then look ahead to leads they will be exploring next week, a few of which involve 737NG freighters.
European carriers reshape freighter fleets
April 08, 2022 23:45 - 10 minutes - 9.3 MBIn this episode, Cargo Facts Deputy Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Andrew Crider discuss 737 fleet developments in Asia and Europe before turning to look at the continued shakeup of the medium-widebody fleet.
Connecting the dots on some quads and twins
April 02, 2022 03:07 - 9 minutes - 8.98 MBIn this episode, Deputy Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Andrew Crider discuss the continuing uptake of 737-800Fs. They then take a look at a curious announcement about A340-600s before turning to a brief update on freighters in Russia.
More orders and commitments for 777 and A350 freighters
March 22, 2022 02:00 - 20 minutes - 18.7 MBIn this episode, Cargo Facts Deputy Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Andrew Crider are joined by Jim Edgar, senior consultant with Cargo Facts Consulting, to continue a discussion on the competition brewing between the A350F and the 777-8F.
The expanding 737-800F fleet
March 08, 2022 03:17 - 10 minutes - 9.84 MBIn this episode, Cargo Facts Deputy Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Andrew Crider discuss some new 737 operators and provide an overview of the 737-800 freighter fleet as it expands in most of the world but contracts as a result of the outbreak of war in Ukraine.
ATSG and mas expand with A330s
March 01, 2022 01:05 - 7 minutes - 7.28 MBIn this episode, Deputy Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Andrew Crider discuss a new facility by Vallair and more A330 conversions for ATSG. They also look at 737s in a recap of the news for the week ended Feb. 25.
A321F turns 2 amid more freighter orders
February 19, 2022 03:16 - 7 minutes - 7.19 MBIn this episode, Deputy Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Andrew Crider discuss widebody news from the Singapore Airshow and look at the A321 freighter. They also look ahead at some upcoming new operators in the A321F and 737-800F space.
Future widebody market spoilt for choice with 777-8F offering
February 08, 2022 04:14 - 22 minutes - 20.3 MBIn this episode, Deputy Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Andrew Crider are joined by Jim Edgar, senior consultant at Cargo Facts Consulting, to discuss Boeing’s new 777-8F and its rival, Airbus’ new A350F. They also look at the large widebody segment more generally and the potential effect Boeing’s new offering will have on the market.
767F redeliveries surge in last quarter
December 03, 2021 02:31 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MBIn this episode, Senior Editor Charles Kauffman and Deputy Editor Jeff Lee look at recent additions to the Amazon Air fleet and discuss the status of 767 freighter-introduction plans that are underway at Air Canada and YTO Cargo Airlines. The duo also takes a look at some upcoming redeliveries of A321 family and 757 freighter conversions.
Freighter orders and LOIs from Dubai — oh my
November 23, 2021 22:43 - 9 minutes - 8.45 MBIn this episode, Senior Editor Charles Kauffman and Deputy Editor Jeff Lee discuss some of the highlights from the Dubai Airshow, which saw orders and commitments announced for forty-one freighter aircraft, including ten new-build, thirteen widebody conversions and eighteen narrowbody conversions. The editors also discuss CMA CGM’s ever-evolving air cargo strategy.
Widebody freighter happenings and expectations for the Dubai Airshow
November 13, 2021 06:06 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBIn this episode, Senior Editor Charles Kauffman and Deputy Editor Jeff Lee take a look at Airbus’ A350F unveil, and revisit two parked 747-8Fs that have been long overdue for reactivation. The editors also discuss their varying expectations for next week’s Dubai Airshow.
CFS preview: Will we finally find out what’s next for widebody freighters?
October 22, 2021 20:51 - 9 minutes - 8.68 MBIn this special in-studio recording of Cargo Facts Connect, Charles Kauffman, Jeff Lee and guest Caryn Livingston review some of this week’s stories that are revealing the trends and topics that will feature heavily at Cargo Facts Symposium 2021 next week. The editors also discuss the industry’s burning questions that will come into focus during next week’s event, our first live and in-person event since early 2020.
New entrants crowd 777 conversion arena
September 27, 2021 22:52 - 10 minutes - 9.76 MBIn this episode, Cargo Facts Senior Editor Charles Kauffman and Associate Editor Jeff Lee explore recent developments across the 777 freighter conversion and modification landscape, and discuss what is known so far about operator commitments to freighter-converted 777s.
How deep will passenger ACMI carriers venture into cargo?
September 03, 2021 23:44 - 8 minutes - 7.76 MBIn this episode of Cargo Facts Connect, Senior Editor Charles Kauffman and Associate Editor Jeff Lee look at Air Wisconsin’s CRJ freighter plans and discuss whether passenger ACMI carriers will find appealing opportunities in air cargo over the long run.
Combination carriers and their freighter divisions
August 20, 2021 22:57 - 16 minutes - 15.2 MBIn this episode, Cargo Facts Consulting Senior Consultant Jim Edgar joins Charles Kauffman and Jeff Lee to share his insight into how major combination carriers view their cargo divisions, and what additional outside investment may mean for freighter fleets worldwide.
A growing list of 737-800F operators
August 14, 2021 01:53 - 7 minutes - 7.18 MBIn this episode, Senior Editor Charles Kauffman and Associate Editor Jeff Lee discuss Bluebird Nordic’s ambition to become a major player in the European 737 ACMI market, and the integrators and e-tailers driving narrowbody freighter fleet renewal and growth across Europe.
Airbus back in the production freighter game
August 03, 2021 01:46 - 17 minutes - 15.7 MBIn this episode, Cargo Facts Associate Editor Jeff Lee and Cargo Facts Consulting Managing Director Frederic Horst look at what the A350F means for Airbus and discuss the prospects, as well as the challenges, for the freighter in the large widebody segment.
Lessors strengthen control over 737-800 freighter conversion slots
July 16, 2021 22:30 - 10 minutes - 9.38 MBIn this episode of Cargo Facts Connect, Senior Editor Charles Kauffman and Associate Editor Jeff Lee take a look at incoming 737-800 freighters and discuss fleet trends in what is currently the second-largest market for 737NG freighters, Mainland China.
FedEx’s order book and the 767F
July 03, 2021 00:13 - 10 minutes - 9.5 MBFedEx Express, already the largest operator of the 767, firmed up options late last month to purchase twenty additional 767-300Fs from Boeing. In this episode, Senior Editor Charles Kauffman and Associate Editor Jeff Lee take another look at the integrator’s 767 order and options, and discuss the medium widebody freighter’s prospects more generally.
More 747s and passenger aircraft pulled into cargo service
June 22, 2021 02:04 - 15 minutes - 14.6 MBIn this Cargo Facts Weekly Wrap, Senior Editor Charles Kauffman and Associate Editor Jeff Lee discuss some of the 747s being returned to service and routes that are still favorable to cargo-only operations with equipment other than a purpose-built or converted freighter. On the narrowbody front, the pair discusses the demand for 757-200 conversions, following a four-unit 757-200 freighter conversion order from BlackRock.
Cargo Facts EMEA recap and Cargolux's future
June 08, 2021 23:37 - 12 minutes - 11.2 MBIn this episode of Cargo Facts Connect, Senior Editor Charles Kauffman and Associate Editor Jeff Lee recap some of the major highlights from this year's Cargo Facts EMEA event, including Astral Aviation adding the 757 platform to its fleet, Bluebird Nordic looking to make the transition to NGs, and Texel Air ordering a second 737-800BCF conversion. They then take a closer look at Cargolux, which has long been an all-747 operator but is thinking about its future fleet development.
A321 freighter milestones and 767-200F reassignments
May 15, 2021 02:51 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MBIn this episode, Senior Editor Charles Kauffman and Associate Editor Jeff Lee highlight recent A321 freighter conversion developments. They then look at the first DHL 767-200F transfer to 21 Air and discuss 767 CMI operations more generally.
CFA highlights unprecedented demand for freighters
April 24, 2021 00:30 - 16 minutes - 14.9 MBIn this episode, Jim Edgar, Senior Consultant of Cargo Facts Consulting, joins Cargo Facts Associate Editor Jeff Lee to to reflect on some key themes from this week’s Cargo Facts Asia virtual event. They then discuss the unprecedented demand for freighter aircraft, before turning to the race between Airbus and Boeing for the next large widebody freighter.
More 747Fs reactivated, plus the imminent induction of the first 777-300ERSF
April 17, 2021 00:50 - 14 minutes - 13.2 MBIn this episode, Senior Editor Charles Kauffman and Associate Editor Jeff Lee look at another couple of 747-400Fs that could soon leave the desert, take stock of the stored 747 freighter fleet and discuss how freighter-converted 777-300Fs might fit into the market.