08 Nov 2021

North American Newsletter 8 November

A.P. Moller - Maersk Orders Two Boeing 777 Freighters Boeing and A.P. Moller - Maersk announced the global provider of end-to-end container logistics has placed an order for two 777 Freighters. The freighters will be operated by Star Air, Maersk's in-house aircraft operator and is the company's first 777 order. Star Air currently operates an all-Boeing 767 Freighter fleet. "As a global integrator of container logistics, Maersk is improving the ability to provide one-stop shop and end-to-end logistics capabilities to our customers. This year, we have strengthened our integrated logistics offering through e-commerce logistics acquisitions, tech investments, expanding our warehouse footprint and as a natural next step, we are now ramping up our air freight capacity, creating a broader network to cater even better for the needs of customers," said Vincent Clerc, executive vice president and CEO of Ocean & Logistics, A.P. Moller – Maersk. ATSG Selects Boeing for Next Converted Freighter Order Air Transport Services Group has contracted with Boeing [NYSE: BA] for the conversion of four aircraft to 767-300 Boeing Converted Freighters (BCF). “Our continued confidence in the 767-300 platform, now coupled with the services and support of the OEM, reinforces our commitment to deliver best-in-class reliable services to our customers,” said Mike Berger, chief commercial officer of ATSG. “We’re proud to partner with Boeing as we expand our fleet to meet growing demand and look forward to future growth together.” Boeing Projects Demand for 1,540 New aircraft in the Russia, Ukraine and CIS Aviation Market Through 2040 Boeing said that airlines in Russia, Ukraine and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) will require 1,540 new airplanes valued at $200 billion over the next 20 years, driven mainly by growth in the single-aisle market. The region also will need aftermarket aviation services such as passenger-to-freighter conversions, maintenance and repair, and digital services worth $320 billion, according to the 2021 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO), Boeing’s long-term forecast of demand for commercial airplanes and services. EXIM Board Authorizes Nearly $194 Million Loan Guarantee Supporting Aircraft Exports to Panama’s Copa Airlines The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) Board of Directors today unanimously approved a final commitment to guarantee an approximately $194 million loan from Citibank and JPMorgan to Copa Airlines of Panama to finance the purchase of Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft. Global Crossing Airlines Inducts First A321 for Cargo Conversion and Outlines Near Term Fleet and Growth Plans Global Crossing Airlines announced that its first A321 passenger to freighter aircraft has entered the first phase of conversion at Hong Kong Engineering Company Limited in Lake City Florida. Following a period of heavy maintenance at HAECO, the aircraft will be inducted in January 2022 into the 321 Precision Conversions facility near Orlando for cargo conversion. This aircraft is the first of four A321 units from Greenwich Highland Aviation to be converted and leased to GlobalX. The airline  fleet development plans for the balance of 2021 include the delivery of three A320’s, one on lease from Irish-based lessor Genesis Aircraft Services Ltd., and two leased from FTAI Aviation LLC., a wholly owned subsidiary of Fortress Transportation and Infrastructure Investors LLC. A fourth A320 is also under LOI for delivery in late December 2021, with the definitive lease agreement expected to be concluded soon. Vmo Aircraft Leasing Leases Two A350 Aircraft to Delta Air Lines Vmo Aircraft Leasing announced the signing of a long-term lease agreement with Delta Air Lines for two Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The aircraft were delivered during October 2021. “We are very pleased to partner with Delta Air Lines on executing this transaction for these latest technology Airbus A350 aircraft,” commented Peter Watson, Vmo Aircraft Leasing’s Chief Commercial Officer. “This new relationship demonstrates our continuing commercial outreach and efforts to support airline operators as they restore capacity amidst an improving demand environment while maintaining focus on the most environmentally beneficial fleet.” Acumen Aviation © 8 November 2021  All Rights Reserved.