FleetBuzz.com Worldwide Forums > TG Leases ex-Load Air 747-400ERs. Will also add 777 Freighters.

Stitch

Aug 1 2009, 06:12 PM

It's evidently been confirmed that the two freighters are the white-tails formerly built for Load Air.

QUOTE

Thai Cargo’s managing director Cargo & Mail Commercial Department, Pruet Boobphakam said the carrier had signed leases for two B747-400ER freighters which will be in operation before the end of the year.

These two freighters are only a stepping stone however, as Boobphakam said they will be replaced by two leased B777-200 freighters with the first coming online in February with a second in March or April. Another two B777Fs will join the fleet from later in the year, he added.

Three initial routes are being eyed by Thai, including: Bangkok-New Delhi- Europe; Bangkok-Shanghai-US; and Bangkok-Jakarta-Australia.

PayloadAsia Article

TheMightyM

Aug 2 2009, 12:34 AM

Any idea where the 777Fs would come from? DAE from frames that Emirates isn't taking?

Jacobin777

Aug 2 2009, 04:06 AM

Nice to see those frames get put to good use!

BOEING777

Aug 2 2009, 05:57 AM

QUOTE (TheMightyM @ Aug 2 2009, 12:34 AM)

Any idea where the 777Fs would come from? DAE from frames that Emirates isn't taking?

Could even be the stored CZ 777F's (2)?

TheMightyM

Aug 2 2009, 03:25 PM

QUOTE (BOEING777 @ Aug 2 2009, 01:57 AM)

QUOTE (TheMightyM @ Aug 2 2009, 12:34 AM)

Any idea where the 777Fs would come from? DAE from frames that Emirates isn't taking?

Could even be the stored CZ 777F's (2)?

Certainly possible but it doesn't quite feel right. If, as the article suggests, it's all been agreed to already, why won't TG be getting the CZ 777Fs straightaway? It can't be reactivation time, because one of the Load Air 747s is just as sitting in storage in the desert. My gut feeling is it's more likely that the 777Fs they are getting are new builds straight off the production line.

Also apparently it isn't just two leased 777Fs though -- it's two early in 2010 and then two more later in the year. The second two certainly have to be new builds. Any idea when CZ was due to take the rest of their 777Fs?

Stitch

Aug 3 2009, 01:36 AM

There still seems to be confusion just how many of their original five 777Fs AF will be taking, as well. They supposedly rejected the prototype and sold the other four to a lessor, taking back the two they currently operate but supposedly not taking the other two.

DaveT321

Aug 12 2009, 03:37 PM

QUOTE (TheMightyM @ Aug 2 2009, 04:25 PM)

QUOTE (BOEING777 @ Aug 2 2009, 01:57 AM)

QUOTE (TheMightyM @ Aug 2 2009, 12:34 AM)

Any idea where the 777Fs would come from? DAE from frames that Emirates isn't taking?

Could even be the stored CZ 777F's (2)?

Certainly possible but it doesn't quite feel right. If, as the article suggests, it's all been agreed to already, why won't TG be getting the CZ 777Fs straightaway? It can't be reactivation time, because one of the Load Air 747s is just as sitting in storage in the desert. My gut feeling is it's more likely that the 777Fs they are getting are new builds straight off the production line.

Also apparently it isn't just two leased 777Fs though -- it's two early in 2010 and then two more later in the year. The second two certainly have to be new builds. Any idea when CZ was due to take the rest of their 777Fs?

Four 777F to be acquired by Thai exactly matches the number that DAE have available (eight 777F orders by Emirates assumed by DAE, four leased back to Emirates, leaving four available).

#3 and #4 for DAE were due in late 2009 but that was before delivery dates were knocked back by the Boeing strike in late 2008.

It's been a good while since Thai operated any pure freighters, so these acquisitions are a major change of strategy for them.

China Southern 777F #3 is built and is outside at Paine Field right now, in primer with CSN rudder.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/moonm/3813974944/

Dave

TheMightyM

Aug 17 2009, 07:03 PM

The first-built 747-400ERF is en route back to Paine Field today from storage (since May) at Pinal Airpark. The second Load Air has done flight testing but never left PAE for the desert.

7BOEING7

Nov 5 2009, 08:49 PM

QUOTE (Stitch @ Aug 2 2009, 05:36 PM)

There still seems to be confusion just how many of their original five 777Fs AF will be taking, as well. They supposedly rejected the prototype and sold the other four to a lessor, taking back the two they currently operate but supposedly not taking the other two.

http://www.allbusiness.com/defense-aerospa...13261951-1.html

Looks like two of the 777F's mentioned will be covred by this agreement with Southern Air who gets two 777F's early next year.