U.S.-based carrier Kalitta Air has requested four weekly allocations for Singapore (SIN) to Hong Kong (HKG) cargo flights using 777-200 freighters on behalf of “a major freight forwarder.” Though the carrier has not yet returned a request for comment, the most likely customer for the service is DHL. DHL declined to confirm whether it is. GECAS Cargo has inked an agreement with Kalitta Air for three 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. Kalitta Air is an American cargo airline headquartered in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan. The company operates international scheduled and cargo charter services. Its main base is Willow Run Airport near Ypsilanti. Its call sign 'Connie' is from its founder Connie Kalitta. Kalitta Air; IATA ICAO Callsign; K4: CKS: CONNIE: Founded: 1967 (as American International Airways); 2000 (current name. Kalitta Air Fleet of B777 (Active) - Aviation website for aircraft and airline information (flight, photo, travel, fleet listing, production list of Airbus Boeing Douglas Embraer Dash, ATR, Sukhoi, Saab.), plane photos, flightlog database, aviation news, civil aviation forum, aviation store. Oct 27, 2020 October 27, 2020 — GECAS Cargo announced an agreement with Kalitta Air for three 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.

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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.

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.

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.

“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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October 27, 2020 — GECAS Cargo announced an agreement with Kalitta Air for three 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. As announced a year ago, the conversion program is jointly funded by GECAS and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), with GECAS delivering the prototype aircraft to undergo conversion in June of this year. Setting a new benchmark for cargo operators, The Big Twin will be powered by GE90 engines, the world’s most powerful in-service engine.

With twenty years of providing scheduled and on-demand charter service in the United States and around the world, Kalitta Air currently operates a fleet of more than three dozen cargo planes, including 747-400F, 767-300SF and 777F.

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“Providing air express delivery all around the world for virtually any type of freight, the addition of these three 777-300ERSF freighters will help us meet the needs of our customers,” shared Conrad Kalitta, owner of Kalitta Air.

Kalitta 777-300

“We are delighted to continue our 15-year relationship with Kalitta Air and proud they’ve become the launch customer with the 777-300ERSF freighter for its future air cargo operations,” said Rich Greener, SVP and Manager Cargo of GECAS, adding “The 777-300ERSF shares extensive commonality with the production 777-200LRF. That’s a benefit to any operator looking to bring a new type into their fleet.”

The Big Twin will also offer 25% more capacity and it is anticipated that The Big Twin will achieve up to 21% lower fuel-burn per tonne than the current 4-engine freighters with the GE90. This was designed specifically for the longer-range Boeing 777 series, providing up to 115,000 lbs. of thrust. In addition to producing the sole-source engine for the 777 variants, GE Aviation will support MRO engine and power-by-the-hour services to ensure continued performance throughout the lifecycle of the converted freighters.

“GECAS Cargo has developed a new standard for aviation lessors, leveraging our fleet of passenger aircraft to provide freighter conversion feedstock — for this 777-300ERSF program as well as converting 737-800NGs,” Greener says, “This approach extends the useful life of our aircraft and GE / CFM engines while meeting the need for replacements of retiring freighters and increased demand for dedicated cargo capacity.”

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About Kalitta Air

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Kalitta Air is a Michigan Limited Liability Company owned by Conrad Kalitta. Kalitta Air began service in November 2000 with three Boeing 747 aircraft and the fleet has grown to a present total of four 777F, 24 B747-400F and nine B767-300BDSF. Capable of air express delivery of virtually any type of freight, the company provides scheduled or on-demand charter service for customers in the United States and around the world. Kalitta Air is committed to providing customers with the most cost effective and complete on-demand air cargo services available in the industry.