airfreight

In this episode, Cargo Facts Associate Editor Andrew Crider sits down with Natilus co-founder and Chief Executive Aleksey Matyushev to discuss the development of the company’s Kona cargo drone.

Natilus recently announced a deal with ZeroAvia and unveiled a hydrogen-powered engine option for its blended-wing cargo drone. This development comes after headline-making orders from Ameriflight and Volatus Aerospace.

Matyushev addresses the challenges of drone production, what recent scale-model test flights have taught Natilus and how the company is growing.

Tune in for a discussion of these topics and more for the week ending May 26, 2023.

In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss the first Cargo Facts LATAM conference, which took place this week in Panama City.

Cargo Facts made its debut in Latin America with groundbreaking news, developments and insight from industry leaders in the region.

At the event, Lee and Luke caught up with SmartLynx Airlines Vice President of Sales & Development Edvinas Demenius to talk about the airline’s strategy and plans for its A321 freighters.

Meanwhile, during the panel discussions, stakeholders heard from executives such as Mas Chief Executive Luis Sierra, who expanded on the carrier’s e-commerce strategy, and Cargo Three Interlines Director Rodrigo De Narvaez, who took attendees inside the executive boardroom and shared details on the airline’s decision to acquire ex-FedEx MD-10-30Fs.

LATAM Cargo Chief Executive Andres Bianchi joined the event for a fireside chat and provided a glimpse into how the airline established its presence in the region and what the future holds for Latin America’s largest cargo operator.

Tune in for a recap of the inaugural LATAM event and more for the week ending May 19, 2023.

In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke highlight the key takeaways from the Association for Uncrewed Vehicles International’s XPONENTIAL 2023 exhibition and conference in Denver this week and other developments.

Cargo drones dominated the news this week, with Canada-based Volatus Aerospace evaluating whether it will order more Natilus drone and announcing plans to expand its cargo drone operations into the Dominican Republic and the United Arab Emirates.

In the conventional air freighter sector, Boeing received its first order of the year for its 777F last month from an unidentified customer; Canadian North flew its final 737-200C flight earlier this month; and Nexus Aviation acquired the first of two A321-200s the lessor will convert to freighters.

Tune in for a discussion of these topics and more for the week ending May 12, 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 a series of widebody developments involving a variety of freighter types.

First, Japan Airlines will operate its own freighters again after a hiatus of more than ten years as part of a groupwide growth strategy.

Meanwhile, China Airlines is continuing to retire its production 747-400Fs even as it experiences delays in receiving new 777F orders; Cargo Three is adding ex-FedEx MD-10Fs; and Airbus has delayed entry into service of the A350F into 2026.

Tune in for a discussion of these topics and more for the week ending May 5, 2023.

In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Andrew Crider discuss watershed moments in the drone industry involving integration of unmanned aircraft systems into airspace.

In North America, Reliable Robotics submitted data gathered with NASA to validate the reliability of existing radar systems in ensuring the safe separation of unmanned and manned aircraft. The data promises to help regulators in the United States develop methods to integrate drones into the airspace.

In Brazil, Speedbird signed a partnership with Israel-based High Lander for the traffic management of its drones. The partnership will allow Speedbird to certify two of its drone types while prepping the company for expansion outside of Brazil.

Meanwhile, new operators continue to emerge with the A321F platform. Malaysia-based Raya Airways recently took its first, while a new carrier in Brazil intends to fly the type. BBAM signaled it would take up to ten A321Fs by yearend, and Global Crossing also specified the latest delivery timeline for its A321Fs.

Tune in for a discussion of these topics and more for the week ending April 28, 2023.

In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Andrew Crider are joined by Cargo Facts Consulting Director Guillermo Ochovo and Senior Consultant Jim Edgar to discuss highlights from Cargo Facts Asia, which returned this week for the first time since 2019.

Ochovo shares his thoughts on Cargo Facts Consulting’s latest freighter forecast, which he unveiled during the event. The group compares that report with statements made by panelists at Cargo Facts Asia on the potential of a surplus of freighters.

Lee, Crider, Ochovo and Edgar also look back at the sentiments and perspectives of executives on the 737-800F and A321-200F platforms.

Tune in for a discussion of these topics and more for the week ending April 21, 2023.

In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editor Andrew Crider speak with Carlos Cock, chief executive of Miami-based Xtreme Aviation, about the Latin American market for freighter aircraft, the preference for 737 Classics and the challenges and opportunities that are on the horizon.

Cock will speak during a panel on narrowbody freighters at the upcoming Cargo Facts LATAM conference. The first-of-its-kind event will bring cargo leaders in the region to Panama City on May 15-17.

Lee and Crider also speculate about the recent mystery order for four A350Fs.

Tune in for a discussion of these topics and more for the week ending April 14, 2023.

In this episode, Cargo Facts Editor Jeff Lee and Associate Editors Andrew Crider and Robert Luke discuss the restructure of FedEx, which now plans to retire its remaining MD-11Fs by 2028, switching to an entirely twin-engine fleet. With changes to its aircraft fleet, FedEx also expects to change its routes, downsizing its foothold in Europe.

Meanwhile, Airbus has begun the production of the first A350F, manufacturing the first center wingbox of the next-generation widebody freighter.

Tune in for a discussion of these topics and more for the week ending April 7, 2023.

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.