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Lufthansa Cargo (Frankfurt) due to decreased demand is grounding for McDonnell Douglas MD-11F freighters.
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Alitalia Cargo (Rome) is expected to be sold to Alis Aerolinee in the coming weeks.
ET-AML arrives at a rainy Liege. Copyright Photo: Rainer Bexten.
Ethiopian Airlines (Addis Ababa) on January 31, 2009 took delivery of its first converted McDonnell Douglas MD-11F freighter. Previously it leased a MD-11 (N801DE) from World Airways.
N526FE was a frequent visitor to Anchorage. N526FE is pictured arriving at ANC on an overcast day. Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker.
FedEx Express (Memphis) has lost a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F freighter (N526FE, msn 48600, ex Delta N813DE) on landing in gusty winds at Tokyo (Narita) on Monday, March 23 (Tokyo time) (March 22 U.S. time). The aircraft, operating as flight FX 80 from Guangzhou, crashed in a fiery crash and is totally destroyed. Video shows the aircraft bounced at least twice, veered to the left and flipped on its side before bursting into flames. Unfortunately the two crew members died in the crash.
Here is the dramatic crash video link on the fiery crash from CNN via YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avx1rn47PxQ
Arrow Cargo (Miami) has wet leased two McDonnell Douglas MD-11F freighters from World Airways (Atlanta). One is already is in service and a second will be operated from July through December 2009. The aircraft are expected to be operated in World colors.
Please click on photo for full view, information and other photos.
Please click on photo for full view, information and other World photos.
World Airways (Atlanta) has extended its contract with Allied Air Cargo (Lagos) to operate a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F freighter now through December 2011. The MD-11F operates on a cargo route from Ostend to Lagos onward to Nairobi and then return for Allied. Allied currently operates four Boeing 727-200F freighters. The contract started on October 1, 2008.
Press release:
finance.yahoo.com/news/World-Airways-Extends-prnews-332390974.html?x=0&.v=1
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Please click on photo for more photos.
FedEx Corporation (FedEx Express) (Memphis) reported fiscal first quarter (ending on August 31) net earnings of $181 million, representing a drop of 53 percent.
Press release:
finance.yahoo.com/news/FedEx-Corp-Reports-First-bw-2798246774.html?x=0&.v=1
Avient Aviation (Harare) is getting ready to add its first McDonnell Douglas MD-11F freighter.
Copyright Photo: Eddy Gual/www.air72.com. The new MD-11F is pictured at Miami as N408SH before it was delivered as Z-BAV on November 20, 2009.
Avient Aviation (Harare) took delivery on November 20, 2009 of its first McDonnell Douglas MD-11 (F) freighter registered Z-BAV (msn 48408, ex N408SH/PR-LGD). Today (November 28) the ex-VARIG airliner caught on fire on takeoff tragically crashed at Shanghai (Pu Dong). Three (of seven) American crew members died in the crash. The aircraft is destroyed.
News links:
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34177650/ns/world_news-asiapacific/
www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/11/27/china.plane.crash/index.html
Copyright Photo: Rainer Bexten. Ex-VARIGlog McDonnell Douglas MD-11F Z-BVT (msn 48410, ex N575SH/PR-LGE) departed Miami on delivery January 27. It is pictured arriving at the European base of Liege the following day.
Avient Aviation (Harare and Liege) has taken delivery of its second McDonnell Douglas MD-11F freighter. Tragically the company lost the first (Z-BAV, msn 48408) on November 28, 2009 on takeoff at Shanghai.
Aeroflot Cargo McDonnell Douglas MD-11 (F) VP-BDQ (msn 48504) HHN (merged back into Aeroflot on December 1, 2009), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Aeroflot Cargo (Moscow) was rolled back into Aeroflot Russian Airlines on December 1, 2009. The bankrupt subsidiary was operating two Boeing 737-300 (F) freighters and five McDonnell Douglas MD-11 (F) freighters. The “Cargo” portion of the titles are now being removed.
Copyright Photo: Jens Polster. McDonnell Douglas MD-11 (F) VP-BDQ (msn 48504) climbs away from Hahn Airport near Frankfurt.
FedEx Express McDonnell Douglas MD-11 (F) N586FE (msn 48487) ANC (Brian McDonough), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
FedEx Corporation (Memphis) reported fourth quarter net income of $419 million, up from last year’s net loss of $876 million.
For the fiscal full year, net income of $1.18 billion was reported, up from last year’s $98 million.
Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough. McDonnell Douglas MD-11 (F) N586FE (msn 48487) is seen at the Anchorage hub.
Lufthansa Cargo McDonnell Douglas MD-11F D-ALCQ (msn 48431) FRA (Jay Selman) (crashed Riyadh July 27, 2010), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.
Lufthansa Cargo’s (Frankfurt) McDonnell Douglas MD-11F D-ALCQ (msn 48431) crashed on landing at Riyadh today (July 27). The freighter caught on fire as it was landing, crashed and split into two sections. The pilot and the first officer were slightly injured and were taken to the hospital.
Copyright Photo: Jay Selman. D-ALCQ arrives at FRA before the accident.
FedEx Express (Memphis) has safely delivered two giant pandas from China to the Toronto Zoo following months of preparations and public anticipation.
The giant pandas, breeding pair Er Shun (female) and Da Mao (male), made the journey from Chengdu, China, to the FedEx Express Canadian Hub at Toronto Pearson International Airport, aboard a specially branded MD-11 aircraft donated by FedEx.
The pandas arrived at 10:47 a.m. EDT (March 25) after an 18 hour flight. FedEx Express, the Toronto Zoo, and the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding collaborated extensively to ensure all necessary precautions were taken to provide a safe and comfortable flight for the pandas. Animal care experts were granted special flight privileges to accompany the pandas onboard the aircraft.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper was airside to officially sign for Canada’s receipt of the giant pandas on a FedEx PowerPad handed to him by Lisa Lisson, president of FedEx Express Canada.
“Today is significant for Canadians as it marks an important symbol of trade and diplomacy between our country and China. As the world’s global transportation leader, FedEx understands first-hand the opportunity and potential that comes with strengthened relationships and improved global connectivity—all of which is wrapped into the symbolism of today’s delivery,” said Lisa Lisson, president, FedEx Express Canada. “As excited as we are about facilitating this exchange between Canada and China, I can attest that all our 6,000-strong team of employees, from coast-to-coast, are as eagerly excited about the prospects of a giant panda cub being born on Canadian soil.”
Following the arrival of FedEx Panda Express, Er Shun and Da Mao were transported by two FedEx Express trucks to Toronto Zoo where they will begin a five-year stay before transferring to Calgary. The specially-branded FedEx Express trucks will stay in service throughout the giant pandas’ stay in Toronto, delivering 600 to 900 kilograms of fresh bamboo supplies two-to-three times a week, courtesy of the Memphis Zoo.
As announced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper on February 11, 2012, the cooperative conservation agreement with China marked the first time in more than twenty years that a giant panda has been loaned to a Canadian zoo. The agreement also marked the first time the Chinese government has granted a ten-year loan of breeding giant pandas to any international zoo in the world.
Following a brief but mandatory quarantine, the giant pandas will be on view to the public at a newly-constructed, state-of-the-art giant panda exhibit at the Toronto Zoo sometime in mid-May (exact date to determined). The program will allow the Toronto Zoo to contribute to ongoing international efforts to protect and increase the population of the endangered giant pandas through investments in research and conservation efforts. Currently, conservationists estimate that there are just over 2,000 giant pandas left in the wild.
“We are honoured to have giant pandas, Er Shun and Da Mao, arrive at the Toronto Zoo and look forward to the opportunity of contributing to the survival of this beautiful species for generations to come,” said John Tracogna, CEO, Toronto Zoo. “The Toronto Zoo is thrilled to join the small group of countries and highly respected zoo organizations outside of China that have the conservation and research programs, professional expertise, and facilities to provide excellent care for a breeding pair of pandas.”
FedEx Express has successfully transported a number of giant panda pairs, underscoring the company’s commitment to safely and securely transporting even the world’s most precious cargo:
Copyright Photo: FedEx Express. McDonnell Douglas MD-11F N585FE (msn 48481) had the honor for this historic Panda flight. N585FE touches down at Toronto (Pearson) with the special Panda markings.
FedEx Express: 
World Airways‘ (Atlanta) CEO John Graber informed staff today (March 27) the company would cease operations immediately. In addition, North American Airlines (New York) will see a reduction in flying. World operated its last flight yesterday (March 26). The company was not able to obtain further funding to keep it flying.
World Airways issued this statement:
“Today (March 27) World Airways announced that the company operated its last flight on Wednesday, March 26. World Airways was founded in 1948 and operated cargo and passenger charter flights using Boeing 747-400 and McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft. The U.S. Military was their primary customer.
Global Aviation Holdings and many of its subsidiaries, including World Airways, began restructuring on November 12, 2013. World Airways has been in the marketplace for some months seeking funding to help it restructure in chapter 11 bankruptcy, and has been unable to secure that financing. Tuesday, World Airways’ first lien holder declared World in default on its loan and stopped providing the airline funding. World Airways has started the process of winding down its operations. Today the company laid-off 325 employees, including 109 pilots and 146 flight attendants.
Eric Bergesen, World Airways’ Chief Operating Officer, said, “The battle to save World has been difficult. A lot of people have worked hard to try to save our airline. Despite this regrettable outcome, I sincerely thank each of our employees for their dedication and continued support as we attempted to build a future for the company.”
North American Airlines will continue operations with plans to emerge from bankruptcy in the near future. North American was founded in 1989 and operates passenger charter flights using Boeing 767-300 ER aircraft.”
World Airways has been a long time operator going back to May 1948.
Previously on November 12, 2013, parent Global Aviation Holdings and its subsidiaries, including its two operating airlines World Airways and North American Airlines, filed voluntary petitions again for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for Delaware. During the reorganization, Global Aviation Holdings announced it intended to continue to operate.
Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. It has been stormy skies for World Airways lately. McDonnell Douglas MD-11F N382WA (msn 48411) arrives at Baltimore/Washington (BWI).
World Airways Slide Show (aircraft through the years): 
Video: The many exploits of World Airways through the years:
Centurion Cargo (Miami) and Sky Lease Cargo (Miami) (both owned by Alfonso Conrado Rey) will retire its nine McDonnell Douglas MD-11F freighters over the next two to three years according to a report by Cargo Facts. The two carriers are adding larger Boeing 747-400F freighters.
Read the full report: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Centurion Cargo’s McDonnell Douglas MD-11F N985AR (msn 48430) taxies at a snowy Amsterdam, its European terminus.
Centurion Cargo: 
Sky Lease Cargo:
Centurion Cargo Route Map:
Lufthansa Cargo (formerly German Cargo) (Frankfurt) on its website has introduced a new tracking service using FlightRadar 24 that shows you in real time where each of their aircraft and flights are located.
Copyright Photo: Bernhard Ross/AirlinersGallery.com. McDonnell Douglas MD-11F D-ALCR (msn 48581) is pictured at the Frankfurt cargo hub.
Lufthansa Cargo:
Martinair‘s (Amsterdam) days could be number. The cargo subsidiary of the Air France-KLM Group could be sold to a third party and even shut down i.e. “internal restructuring”. The cargo divisions of the Air France-KLM Group continue to bring down the group financially. As part of its first half financial report, the Group issued this statement concerning the cargo divisions, including Martinair:
Second Quarter 2014 cargo revenues amounted to 669 million euros, down 5.1% and by 1.9% on a constant currency basis. Faced with a slower than expected recovery, the group continued to reduce full-freighter capacity (down 8.6%). In consequence, total capacity decreased by 2.0%. Traffic decreased by 1.6%, leading to a 0.3 point increase in load factor to 63.2%. Unit revenue per Available Ton Kilometer (RATK) increased by 1.1% on a constant currency basis (-2.1% on a reported basis).
The operating result improved slightly to -45 million euro, up 5 million euros.
The recovery in demand being slower than expected, the group has initiated a strategic review of its full-freighter business, with different scenarios under consideration. Having already decided in October 2013 to reduce its full-freighter fleet to 2 aircraft in Paris and 8 aircraft in Amsterdam by 2015, the group is now looking to further reduce its Amsterdam-based full-freighter exposure either through a partnership with a third party or through internal restructuring. In consequence, the group has recorded an impairment of 106 million euros in its Second Quarter 2014 accounts.
First Half 2014 cargo revenues amounted to 1,344 million euros, down 4.3% and by 1.6% on a constant currency basis. Traffic was stable for a -1.5% decline in capacity, leading to a 1.0 point increase in load factor to 64.0%. Unit revenue per Available Ton Kilometer (RATK) was stable on a constant currency basis (down 2.7% on a reported basis).
On a constant currency basis, cargo unit cost was down 1.7% in the First Half (down 3.9% on a reported basis). The operating result improved by 21 million euros to -79 million euros.
Will Martinair be sold or disbanded? It is unlikely to remain as it is today.
Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. McDonnell Douglas MD-11 (F) PH-MCY (msn 48445) taxies at the Amsterdam base.
Martinair: 
Western Global Airlines-WGA (Sarasota/Bradenton) according to ch-aviation, will begin cargo operations with a fleet of two McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighters (N415JN, msn 48415 and N435KD, msn 48435). Both freighters will be leased from Neff Air. The company has issued this statement:
Western Global Airlines LLC (WGA), a low cost, high quality all-cargo carrier, announced on August 4 that it received final FAA certification and has been issued a Part 121 Air Operator Certificate. In addition, WGA has been certified by the U.S. DOT to be fit, willing, and able to engage in interstate and foreign air transportation of property and mail. WGA plans to commence operations immediately.
Founder and CEO, Jim Neff, said, “We are very pleased by these approvals. As the first newly certified U.S. based wide-body air cargo operator in almost a decade, WGA is poised to offer the global marketplace a new large-scale, customer-oriented platform, focused on low cost, flexible service and high reliability. We also expect to benefit from the relative shortage of wide-body cargo carriers in the market today.” In addition to being WGA’s CEO, Mr. Neff also serves as CEO and Chairman of Helsinki based Nordic Global Airlines, Ltd. (NGA) and has had an unparalleled career in air cargo and aviation dating back to Flying Tiger Line, Continental Airlines, Emery Worldwide and Burlington Air Express. He was the founder and CEO of Southern Air Inc. from 1999 until 2010.
Mr. Neff added, “For me, this is the culmination of a lifelong dream. Having created and built the air systems for many of the leading U.S. based cargo operators over the past 30 plus years, I believe that the current global economic reality calls for freighter services to be both lower cost and more responsive to customers. This is the driving force and the vision behind WGA.”
WGA’s management team was hand-picked by Mr. Neff from among the industry’s most knowledgeable and experienced innovators. The company will begin operations with a fleet of MD-11Fs leased from Neff Air LLC, an affiliated leasing company which owns ten GE powered MD-11Fs and two GE powered 747-400BCFs directly without debt. WGA’s business plan is based on enabling its customers to profitably grow their air cargo business by seamlessly outsourcing all or part of their freighter operation to WGA. WGA’s sister company, NGA, has been providing low cost, flexible, and reliable service to the European market for the past three years with a fleet of four MD-11Fs leased from Neff Air. Going forward, the company expects to develop the WGA/NGA platforms jointly to achieve marketing and operational synergies to maximize service responsiveness, flexibility, and operating efficiencies.
Air France (Paris) and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (Amsterdam) (Air France-KLM Group) issued this statement about its shrinking and unprofitable freighter fleet including Martinair‘s (Amsterdam) McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighter fleet:
At its meeting on September 4, 2014, the Air France-KLM Board of Directors examined the findings of the strategic review of its full-freighter operations which was launched earlier this year.
On top of the ongoing reduction of the full-freighter fleet, and facing a slower than expected recovery in demand, the Board of Directors has decided to reduce the full-freighter fleet based in Amsterdam to 3 aircraft in operation by the end of 2016. Five MD-11s will be phased out on an accelerated basis during 2015 and 2016.
By then, the Group will operate five full-freighter aircraft: 2 Boeing 777Fs in Paris and 3 Boeing 747 ERFs in Amsterdam, compared with a total of 14 in 2013.
The group intends to find alternative employment internally for all affected staff. It will engage in consultations on this matter with the Works Council and trade unions of the companies involved.
The Group will remain a major player in the cargo sector in Europe through its extensive belly network effectively supplemented by a limited number of full-freighter aircraft.
This adjustment of the full-freighter fleet is part of a broader strategic vision designed to increase cargo contribution to the group. Other measures include a strong focus on specialized products such as pharmaceuticals and express, as well as investment in state-of-the-art IT infrastructure and E-developments, further cost reduction and expansion of partnerships.
In other news, the Air France-KLM Group will expand its leisure operations under the Transavia brand with new bases outside of Paris and Amsterdam. The Group issued this statement:
At its meeting on September 4, 2014, as proposed by its Chairman and CEO Alexandre de Juniac, the Air France-KLM Board of Directors approved the group’s development project on the leisure market in Europe.
This development will take place under the Transavia brand from the two existing airlines – Transavia France and Transavia the Netherlands – and new bases will be opened in other European countries.
This project will strengthen the development of Transavia France (Paris) and Transavia Airlines (Amsterdam) in the Netherlands. The terms of these developments are the subject of consultations in both countries.
The group is positioning itself as a major player in this rapidly growing market in Europe.
This project is part of the group’s new plan for growth and competitiveness, Perform 2020, which will be presented in details to investors and to the press on September 11.
Top Copyright Photo: Keith Burton/AirlinersGallery.com. Martinair’s McDonnell Douglas MD-11 (F) PH-MCS (msn 48618) prepares to land at London’s Stansted Airport.
Air France:
KLM:
Martinair:
Transavia Airlines (Netherlands):
Transavia Airlines (France):
Bottom Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Transavia Airlines’ (Netherlands) Boeing 737-8K2 PH-HZA (msn 28373) with a Kulula underside taxies at the Amsterdam base.
