Aircraft lessor AerCap has signed lease agreements with China Southern Air Logistics, the cargo division of China Southern Airlines, for three Boeing 777-300ERSF converted freighters. These aircraft, nicknamed "The Big Twin," undergo passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) through its Bedek Aviation Group program. AerCap is the launch customer for this specific P2F conversion.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, this development signifies an increase in wide-body air cargo capacity, particularly for China Southern's network. The Boeing 777-300ERSF offers substantial payload and range, which could lead to new or expanded routes, potentially impacting air freight rates and available space on key trade lanes, especially those connecting Asia. This additional capacity might alleviate some pressure on air cargo markets, offering more options for shippers.
