Compass Airlines Cargo Introduces First 747 Widebody Freighter to Fleet

Bulgarian airline Compass Airlines Cargo has entered the widebody cargo market with the delivery of a Boeing 747-400 freighter.

The aircraft (LZ-CJA) joins the airline’s existing fleet of four Boeing 737-800 converted freighters.

The aircraft arrived at Sofia Airport on July 19 to a traditional water cannon salute and will be used for charters and wet lease ACMI

A spokesperson said that for the time being there are no firm plans to further expand company’s widebody fleet.

The aircraft is 21 years old and was previously operated by Turkey’s ACT Airlines.

The carrier was launched in August 2021 and has a contract with DHL Express for its 737 aircraft. It is owned by Turkish investor Daglar Cizmeci.

Cizmeci was also the founder of ACT Airlines before he sold the cargo carrier to the HNA Group in 2011, although he still lists ACT as one of his investments on his personal website.

ACT provides ACMI and ad-hoc charter services to customers, including brokers, freight forwarders, direct shippers and airlines with a fleet of five 747 freighters.

Sofia International Airport is located 5km from the centre of Bulgaria’s capital and largest city

It is the biggest international airport in the country with scheduled connections to all major European business centres, serving 21 airlines.