Big win for new P2F programme
Gecas Cargo and Kalitta Air have signed an agreement for three B777-300ERSF. The US cargo airline will be the first operator of the new passenger-to-freighter type, adding to their already sizable all-cargo fleet, including four B777F, 24 B747-400F and nine B767-300BDSF, when these aircraft are delivered in 2023.
Dubbed "The Big Twin", the largest ever twin-engine freighter will provide space for 819 cbm of cargo - "25% more than a B777-200LRF and 15% more than a B747-400BCF", as Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) informs.
As announced a year ago, the conversion programme is jointly funded by Gecas and IAI, with Gecas delivering the prototype aircraft to undergo conversion in June of this year, equipped with two GE90 engines with up to 21% lower fuel-burn per tonne than the current 4-engine freighters. (ah)