A first for Airest 
The Estonian cargo airline Airest has added the first ATR-72-500F to its freighter fleet. Until now, the Tallinn-based company operated its pan-European acmi and charter services exclusively with a fleet of Saab 340F freighters. The ATR leased from Jetstream Aviation Capital... more
Four B737-800BCF in 2024
Aercap Holdings has signed lease agreements for four 737-800 Boeing converted freighter (BCF) aircraft with JD Airlines, the cargo airline of JD Logistics (also known as Jingdong Logistics), which are scheduled for delivery in 2024. The aircraft will be operated on behalf of JD... more
Munich added to freighter network
Lufthansa Cargo will be operating cargo aircraft from the Bavarian hub from 6 July 2024. An A321 freighter will connect Munich with Istanbul airport twice a week, complementing the existing belly services. The new freighter connection is planned for Saturdays and Sundays.... more
Air cargo key for supply chain 
South Africa’s e-commerce sector has experienced impressive growth in recent years too, thanks also to increasing demand for online shopping opportunities, the expansion of digital platforms and improvements in logistics and payment systems. Here’s ITJ correspondent Thola... more
116 yaks fly first class aboard a B747-400F
Silk Way West Airlines recently demonstrated its expertise in the transport of live animals. At the request of Azerbaijan’s ministry of agriculture, the cargo airline was commissioned to fly 116 yaks from Kyrgyzstan to Azerbaijan. No sooner said than done; a few days ago the... more
Three new routes in a row
As part of its expanded summer schedule, Canadian air cargo carrier Westjet Cargo is launching three new destinations in a row: Chicago (ORD), Moncton (YQM), and Incheon (ICN). The Chicago route was opened for cargo sales on 16 May. It now connects Calgary to the US city... more
Final Beluga
After having served as the programme’s test platform since 2018, the last of six Beluga XLs entered service in June 2024. These successors to the A300-600ST, the iconic original ‘Beluga’, continue its mission to strengthen the company’s industrial capabilities. Time for some... more
A strategic partnership in the Americas
Americas GSA, now part of the ECS Group, has entered into a strategic partnership with JetBlue Cargo, the cargo arm of low-cost carrier JetBlue. JetBlue Cargo will benefit from ECS Group's expanded GSSA services and will be able to further expand and enhance its domestic and... more
An exclusive cargo GSSA for Cambodia Angkor Air
Effective 1 June 2024, Aeroprime Group has been appointed as the exclusive ‘cargo general sales and service agent’ (GSSA) for Cambodia Angkor Air, Cambodia’s flag carrier. Currently, the airline has a fleet comprising A320, A321, and ATR aircraft, serving over eleven... more
Satellite delivered by An-124-100
Regardless of the war in their home country, the heavy-lift experts at the Ukrainian carrier Antonov Airlines continue to help their customers fly their special cargoes around the globe quickly, safely and efficiently. Recently they flew Turkey's first geostationary... more