FLEET - China's ZTO Express is expanding its international logistics network by adding an Airbus A330-200P2F (Passenger-to-Freighter) to its fleet, which will be operated by Hungary Airlines, with operations scheduled to start around April 2026.

ZTO Express (Hungary Airlines)-HA-ZTO-Airbus A330-243P2F

Hungary Airlines will operate the 2006-vintage Airbus A330-200P2F (formerly with Air China, MSN 780) in CMI (Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) service for ZTO Express.

The freighter is planned to fly five times a week between China and Hungary (Budapest), primarily carrying e-commerce goods.

This initiative is part of ZTO Express's strategy to establish its own air cargo unit to secure capacity for growing cross-border demand.

Photo: Fish cats

FLEET - AerCap Cargo Delivers First Boeing 777-300ERSF to Fly Meta

DUBLIN, Dec. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AerCap Holdings N.V. ("AerCap" or the "Company") (NYSE: AER) today announced that it has delivered the first of three Boeing 777-300ERSF converted aircraft to Hong Kong-based aviation leasing and ACMI/CMI solutions provider Fly Meta Leasing Co., Ltd ("Fly Meta"). The first aircraft was delivered on November 21 and the second and third are scheduled for delivery in Q2 and Q4 2026, respectively.

The aircraft will be operated under a Crew Maintenance and Insurance (CMI) contract by Air Atlanta Icelandic under the Hungary Air brand. The Boeing 777-300ERSF, also known as "The Big Twin," is the first passenger-to-freighter conversion program of the Boeing 777-300ER. It received FAA and CAAI certification on August 31, 2025, and entered service in mid-September.

"We are delighted to deliver the first 777-300ERSF to Fly Meta, in partnership with Air Atlanta Icelandic - the first customer to operate this aircraft type between the APAC and EMEA regions," said Rich Greener, the Head of AerCap Cargo. "With 25% more capacity than today's smaller twin-engine long-haul freighters, the Big Twin offers significant cost efficiencies, superior range and outstanding operational commonality. I would like to thank the entire Fly Meta, Hungary Air and Air Atlanta teams for their trust in AerCap Cargo and for their partnership. "

"We are proud to receive our first Boeing 777-300ERSF, which represents a major step forward in Fly Meta's long-term widebody freighter strategy," said Helen Chen, the CEO of Fly Meta. "This aircraft will significantly strengthen our cargo corridor and further expand our ability to serve global e-commerce, express and specialty cargo markets. Together with our partners AerCap, Air Atlanta Icelandic and Hungary Airlines, Fly Meta is building a modern, efficient and scalable widebody freighter platform centered on the 777-300ERSF, 747-400F and upcoming aircraft. We look forward to bringing additional capacity online in 2026 to meet the fast-growing demand across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa."

 

ORDER / FLEET - Hungary Airlines to take delivery of one B777-300ERF in 3Q 2025, operating under a Maltese AOC in cooperation with a European operator.

The carrier is preparing for expansion, with flights to China, India, Africa, Middle East, and the US under consideration.

Aviator / Photo: Hungary Airlines 

AIRLINE - Hungary Airlines CEO is Duan Bo signs a cooperation agreement with Boeing to acquire 100 B737 MAX aircraft, The planned airline aims to open new routes between China and Central Eastern Europe, with Budapest as their European hub.

The new Hungarian airline company Hungary Airlines is set to launch its first cargo flight this month, December 2024, according to the Hungarian business news site Világgazdaság. The new company’s maiden flight will be from Budapest, Hungary to Hong Kong, China.

Hungary Airlines was founded in May 2021, originally under the name Universal Translink Airline Hungary Kft. It has only recently changed its name to Hungary Airlines. Their headquarters is registered in Vecsés, Hungary, in the cargo centre of the Ferenc Liszt Budapest International Airport.

Earlier this month, the new company signed a deal with the American aircraft manufacturer Boening to acquire a hundred Boeing 737 MAX aeroplanes, the local aviation industry site BUDflyer reports.

Initially, the new airline will be servicing cargo flights. It is unclear if it is planning on branching out to passenger flights as well at some point. There is speculation about that, given that even Minister of Foreign Affairs Péter Szijjártó of Hungary has talked about the need to increase direct passenger flights between major Chinese cities and Budapest, given the increase in the number of tourists coming to Hungary from the Asian country in recent years. Currently, 21 flights leave from Hungary to China per week.

Budapest Airlines’ focus will be direct flights between China and Central Europe. The company is headed by a Chinese national, Chairman Duan Bo and is majority-owned by fellow Chinese businessman Wu Jiang. However, two Hungarian nationals, Gábor Talabos and Gábor Varga were also present when signing the acquisition deal with Boening. Both men are listed as ‘company leaders’ for Hungary Airlines Kft in the Hungarian national company database Nemzeti Cégtár. Talabos is one of the prominent aviation experts in the country.

Hungarian conservative.

Photo: Duncan Stewart