Kalitta 777
Posted : admin On 7/24/2022The 777 Freighter, commonly referred to as the Triple Seven is more fuel-efficient than competing aircraft in the wide-body freighter market. Excellent fuel efficiency, operational flexibility, low- noise levels support time-critical cargo schedules even at airports with stringent noise and emissions standards. GECAS Cargo has signed an agreement with Kalitta Air for three Boeing 777-300ERSF aircraft. With this agreement, Kalitta will be the first operator of the new passenger-to-freighter type, adding to their already sizable all-cargo fleet when these aircraft deliver in 2023. Dubbed “The Big Twin,” the 777-300ERSF will be the largest ever twin-engine freighter.
KALITTA Air is to become the launch operator of the new passenger-to-freighter (p2f) B777-300ERSF – the largest ever twin-engine freighter, the Michigan-based all-cargo carrier reveals.
The airline, which currently operates a fleet of more than 30 aircraft, including B747-400Fs, B767-300SFs and B777Fs, has leased three of the new p2f conversions, known as the ‘big twin’, from lessor GECAS Cargo, writes Thelma Etim.
Under the agreement announced a year ago, the conversion programme is jointly funded by GECAS and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). The leasing company delivered the prototype aircraft to undergo the conversion in June, outlines a statement.
The new model – powered by GE Aviation GE90 turbofan engines – offers 25 per cent more capacity and is anticipated will achieve up to 21 per cent lower fuel-burn-per-tonne than the current four-engined models. “This was designed specifically for the longer-range B777 series, providing up to 115,000 lbs of thrust,” explains the statement.
GE Aviation is to support the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of the engines to ensure continued performance throughout the lifecycle of the converted freighters which are scheduled to be delivered in 2023, says a statement.
Kalitta 777-300
Conrad Kalitta, owner of Kalitta Air, states: “Providing air express delivery all around the world for virtually any type of freight, the addition of these three B777-300ERSFs will help us meet the needs of customers.”
Rich Greener, senior vice-president and manager of cargo at GECAS, notes the continuation of 15-year relationship with Kalitta Air and is proud it is to be the launch customer with the B777-300ERSF freighter for its future air cargo operations. “The B777-300ERSF shares extensive commonality with the production B777-200LRF. That’s a benefit to any operator looking to bring a new type into their fleet,” he says.
Kalitta Air Jobs
GECAS Cargo believes it has developed a new standard for aviation lessors by leveraging its fleet of passenger aircraft to provide freighter conversion feedstock – for this B777-300ERSF programme as well as converting B737-800NGs, Greener observes.
Kalitta Airline
“This approach extends the useful life of our aircraft and our GE/CFM engines while meeting the need for replacements of retiring freighters and increased demand for dedicated cargo capacity.”
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