US’s National Airlines considers options for fleet growth

National Airlines (N8, Orlando Sanford) is planning to significantly increase its fleet in the coming years, mainly targeting dedicated freighters, but also adding new passenger A330s, Chief Executive and Chairman of the parent holding National Air Cargo Holdings Chris Alf told aviation journalist Kurt Hofmann.

“[Operating] 15 to 20 freighter aircraft would be no problem. If we can get the aircraft, we can operate them. We have the capability, the resources, the infrastructure. We are always looking for more aircraft, particularly B747 freighters. You hear about so many aircraft parked in the desert, but there are no 747Fs available. People are hanging on to that aircraft,” Alf said.

The airline is betting that cargo demand will continue to thrive for at least another two years as available bellyhold capacity will remain depressed. Even in the lngrun, Alf expects the market to remain strong, driven by booming e-commerce demand.

The ch-aviation fleets advanced module shows the airline’s freighter fleet currently comprises six B747-400(BCF)s. Alf said National would be able to add at least ten more B747 freighters and hopes to see some inducted in 2022, despite the type’s scarcity. He underlined the airline would be eager to add any variant of the B747-400 freighter, not necessarily the (BCF) conversion. However, it is less interested in the B747-8F as although the -8F is more readily available on the second-hand market, its engine maintenance costs are significantly higher, Alf said.

He added that the B747s were poised to have a long-term future at National Airlines. The only danger to the type’s viability would be “a steep rise in fuel prices”. The grounding of many passenger B747-400s during the COVID-19 pandemic further helped the freighter version by increasing the supply of cheap spare parts.

While the Boeing quadjets are set to remain the cornerstone of National’s cargo fleet, the airline is not averse to other types. In the short term, it may look at the B777-300(ER)(SF), although Alf admitted that other carriers have already snatched up most early delivery slots.

The A350 and B777X freighters are also of interest, albeit for the more distant future considering their uncertain certification and delivery timelines as well as high costs.

Meanwhile, the carrier is eager to increase its Airbus fleet. It currently operates a single A330-200 in passenger configuration but plans to add a further two of the type in 2022.

“But we are also looking to the A330-300(P2F) converted freighters… That is also the reason why we operate an A330 passenger aircraft: to get experience with Airbus. Then we can easily operate the freighters, we could also add six of those A330Fs,” Alf said.

The airline also operates two B757-200s.