Air Cargo News
• Damian Brett
Mammoth Freighters has delivered its first converted Boeing 777-200LRMF, MSN 32222, to lessor Jetran. The aircraft, converted in Manchester and unveiled at Farnborough, will enter DHL Air UK’s network, forming part of a 13-aircraft placement within Jetran’s broader order of more than two dozen conversions.
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Mammoth Freighters has delivered its first converted Boeing 777-200LRMF, MSN 32222, to lessor Jetran. The aircraft, converted in Manchester and unveiled at Farnborough, will enter DHL Air UK’s network, forming part of a 13-aircraft placement within Jetran’s broader order of more than two dozen conversions.
A new Pentagon report attributes delays to Boeing’s two VC-25B presidential aircraft to interior design problems and certification issues. The findings add to schedule pressure surrounding the Air Force One replacement program, with implications for Boeing’s execution, government oversight and delivery planning.
The Air Force’s B-52 engine modernization could incur higher costs and slip schedules, while separate fighter-engine programs face quality and reliability concerns. Production delays, material shortages and manufacturing weaknesses are prompting the service to consider new suppliers and manufacturers.
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Atlas Air Worldwide has completed its previously announced investment in Icelandic ACMI and charter operator Air Atlanta, acquiring a 49% minority stake and control of its freighter fleet. The aircraft will transfer to Titan Aviation Holdings under a long-term lease, expanding Atlas’ global widebody cargo platform.
President Trump says the Qatari-donated Boeing 747-8 used as Air Force One will be temporarily removed from service while it undergoes “maxed out” upgrades focused on security and communications. The move follows reported concerns about security features, with Trump also flagging a spending envelope of roughly $400M. Separately, Boeing says two next-generation presidential jets remain targeted for delivery in 2028, but that additional spending will likely be required.
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President Trump’s interim Air Force One flew internationally on July 8, but plans to route it from Turkey to the U.K. were scrapped on short notice. Reports say the Secret Service discouraged use of the Qatari-donated VC-25B, highlighting ongoing questions about the pace and adequacy of retrofitting the new Boeing 747-8-based aircraft.
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Saudia Group has agreed with Boeing for four additional 777 freighters, with the first delivery scheduled for Q4 2026. Saudia Cargo frames the move as a growth milestone tied to expanding international cargo capacity and reinforcing a network across four continents—while Saudia faces political scrutiny over related 777 acquisitions.
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The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive for certain Boeing 747-8F series aircraft prompted by reports of cracking in stringers and splice fittings at stringer splices across multiple body stations. The directive covers 11 US-registered freighters and mandates structural inspections, with repairs required if damage is found.
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