AerCap has announced it has delivered the first two Boeing 777-300ERSF Passenger-to-Freighter (“P2F”) converted aircraft to Kalitta Air, including the prototype certification aircraft. The aircraft, which are part of a larger seven-aircraft order, arrived at Kalitta’s facility in Oscoda, Michigan on the 12th and 13th of September, respectively. Kalitta Air became the launch operator of the AerCap Cargo 777-300ERSF conversion program in 2020, as part of their strategy to replace their ageing Boeing 747 freighter fleet. Since then, the program has undergone extensive certification and testing with the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to approve the aircraft to operate at a 100-tonne payload capacity. Kalitta Air plans to place both aircraft into revenue operations in early October, with further deliveries of the aircraft taking place over the coming weeks.
The two aircraft involved are N778CK, that flew for Emirates as A6-EBB from 2005 until 2020. It was then used by IAI as a developmental airframe during the cargo conversion process prior to the delivery from Tel Aviv to Oscoda via Detroit in September. The first aircraft, N770CK, to be delivered to Oscoda arrived a day earlier, and it too flew for Emirates as A6-EBO from 2006 until 2022.
The Boeing 777-300ER is the most successful widebody passenger variant in aviation history, with more than 800 delivered. The 777-300ERSF is poised to redefine the future of air freight with an impressive capacity of 100 metric tons / 220,000 pounds payload, 811 m3 / 28,640ft3, and can significantly lower operating costs versus in-service widebody freighters. This innovation positions the aircraft as a game-changer in the evolving global freighter market. As it enters service and replaces ageing 747F, the 777-300ERSF contributes to the decarbonization effort of air cargo by reducing CO2 emissions by 20%.
Commenting on the deliveries, the CEO of AerCap, Aengus Kelly said, ”We are delighted to deliver the very first 777-300ERSF to our unwavering partner Kalitta Air, who have been with us shoulder to shoulder throughout this journey. With certification now received from both the CAAI and FAA, we are pleased to begin delivering the aircraft to our customers – a significant milestone for the program.”
Also commenting was the CEO of Kalitta Air, Connie Kalitta who added, “Kalitta Air has always embraced new technology to serve our customers, and we are proud to be the launch operator for the first 777-300ERSF. This aircraft will give us greater range and payload capability to meet growing demand in the global cargo market.”
