US’s Kalitta Air secures two more B777-300 freighters

Kalitta Air (K4, Detroit Willow Run) has agreed to lease two more B777-300(ER)(SF)s from GECAS bringing its overall backlog for the type to five aircraft.

The American cargo specialist previously committed to leasing three aircraft from GECAS, in effect, becoming its launch operator. Other carriers, including Cathay Pacific and Emirates, have signalled their interest in the type but have yet to announce any formal orders.

Kalitta Air’s incremental order was communicated together with GECAS’s decision to exercise three B777-300(ER)(SF) conversion options to increase its order from Israel Aerospace Industries to 18 firm aircraft with 12 additional options.

The conversion program is jointly funded by GECAS and IAI, which performs all conversion work at its facility at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion airport. GECAS delivered the prototype P2F conversion aircraft, N557CC (msn 32789), in June 2020. It is currently undergoing certification flights split between Tel Aviv and San Bernardino. Service entry is scheduled for 2022.

According to the ch-aviation fleets advanced module, Kalitta Air currently operates ten B747-400(BCF)s, one B747-400(ERF), thirteen B747-400(FSCD)s, one B767-300(ERBCF), eight B767-300(ERBDSF)s, and five B777-200Fs.