ANA to boost air cargo fleet, orders two 777Fs

Seeking to build on its fleet of Boeing 767-300 freighters, All Nippon Airways (ANA) has finalized an order for two 777Fs, which the carrier plans to fly on international routes, focusing on Asia, China and North America.

The order, valued at $678 million at list prices, continues a resurgent interest in Boeing’s 777F over the past year, with orders for seven of the model in 2017 (four from Ethiopian Airlines, three from Turkish Airlines and one from FedEx Express) and now five so far in 2018 (an unidentified customer ordered three 777Fs in February).

ANA will become the first Japanese carrier to fly the 777F, which—with a payload of 102,010 kg—nearly doubles the volume capability of the 767F. It is also capable of flying 4,970 nautical miles, expanding the 767F’s range by 1,715 nautical miles. ANA’s cargo fleet at present comprises four 767-300Fs and eight 767-300BCF converted freighters.

“Air cargo is an essential part of global trade growth,” ANA Cargo VP-corporate planning & administration Hiroshi Sugiguchi said. “We are committed to playing a critical role in further advancing Japan’s economic growth through trade and these new freighter airplanes will help us accomplish our goal.”

In its 2017 year-end analysis, IATA reported global air cargo traffic grew 9% year-over-year (YOY), more than doubling the 4.2% projected long-term growth rate for the market. In January 2018, traffic grew by 8% YOY, driven by increased global trade related to the ongoing rise in e-commerce. 

(Mark Nensel ATWOnline News)