Air Canada Leases 767 Freighters to Ethiopian Cargo
Air Canada has entered a strategic lease agreement, transferring two Boeing 767-300 freighters to Ethiopian Airlines Cargo. The aircraft, registered as C-GHXI and C-GXHM, have been stored at Kansas City International Airport (KCI) in Missouri since their withdrawal from Air Canada’s fleet in April 2024. Unlike passenger-to-freighter conversions, these are factory-built 767-300F cargo variants, ensuring they meet the stringent demands of dedicated freight operations.
The first freighter was relocated from Kansas City to Toronto on November 12, 2024, where it is undergoing preparations for its new role with Ethiopian Airlines Cargo. The second aircraft completed a test flight on December 3, 2024, before being ferried to Toronto to follow its sistership to East Africa. This move marks a significant enhancement of Ethiopian Airlines Cargo’s fleet, reinforcing its position as one of Africa’s leading air cargo operators.
Ethiopian Airlines Cargo, the cargo division of Ethiopian Airlines, currently operates a robust fleet comprising four Boeing 737-800Fs, three Boeing 767-300Fs, and eleven Boeing 777Fs. The addition of Air Canada’s two Boeing 767-300Fs brings the total number of dedicated freighters to twenty. This expansion not only strengthens Ethiopian’s cargo capabilities but also enhances its ability to transport substantial volumes of goods across its extensive network connecting Africa with Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
The leased Boeing 767-300Fs were initially acquired by Air Canada in June 2022 to bolster its cargo operations in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as market conditions cooled, Air Canada temporarily retired the aircraft, storing them at Kansas City International Airport in April 2024. The decision to lease these freighters to Ethiopian Airlines Cargo provides them with a new lease on life, ensuring they remain productive assets within the global aviation market.
This leasing arrangement coincides with Air Canada’s broader strategic review of its Boeing 767 fleet, encompassing both freighter and passenger variants. In November 2024, Air Canada announced plans to reintroduce two of its retired Boeing 767-300ERs into passenger service starting February 2025. These aircraft, registered as C-FOCA and C-GLCA, are over 33 years old and have been stored at Hamilton International Airport (YHM) in Canada. Due to ongoing delays in the delivery of new Boeing 787s, Air Canada is repurposing these older 767s to meet current passenger demand.
Historically, Air Canada was a major operator of the Boeing 767, maintaining over 40 units in its fleet at its peak. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 forced the airline to retire all passenger 767s due to reduced capacity needs and declining passenger numbers. The redeployment of the two stored Boeing 767-300ERs will see them used exclusively on scheduled passenger routes from Toronto-Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to destinations including Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS), Calgary International Airport (YYC), Edmonton International Airport (YEG), Montego Bay-Sangster International Airport (MBJ), and Phoenix-Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). These aircraft will operate in their original configurations, featuring 24 lie-flat business class seats and 187 economy seats, providing passengers with a comfortable and efficient travel experience.
The leasing of the Boeing 767 freighters to Ethiopian Airlines Cargo not only supports Air Canada’s fleet optimization efforts but also contributes to the growth and efficiency of one of Africa’s premier cargo carriers. As Ethiopian Airlines Cargo continues to expand its network and enhance its operational capabilities, the addition of these freighters will play a crucial role in meeting the increasing demand for reliable air cargo services across the continent and beyond.
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