China Southern Air Cargo to add three B777-300(ERSF)s

China Southern Cargo has signed a lease-agreement with AerCap for IAI-converted Boeing B777-300ERSFs. In total, the airline has signed-up for three aircraft. One will be delivered in October 2027, while the remaining two will join in 2028.

Image: Flyingphotos AI

FLEET - Emirates becomes first airline cargo carrier to deploy the Boeing 777-300ERSF

First passenger to freighter converted aircraft joins Emirates’ growing cargo fleet.

Boeing 777-300ERSF is the sixth new freighter aircraft inducted into Emirates SkyCargo’s operations since March 2026

Carrier to operate 5 passenger to freighter converted aircraft by the end of 2027.

Dubai, UAE, 30 June 2026- Emirates is marking a significant milestone in the expansion of its cargo fleet by becoming the first airline cargo carrier* to deploy the Boeing 777-300ERSF passenger to freighter converted aircraft. The aircraft (A6-EBK) will enter commercial service with a flight from Hong Kong to Dubai carrying over 100 tonnes of cargo.

The converted Emirates Boeing 777-300ERSF offers 100 tonnes of payload capacity and 811 m³ of cargo volume, representing a 25% increase in cargo volume over the Boeing 777-F production freighter. At 47 pallet positions, the converted aircraft also accommodates 10 additional pallet positions when compared with Boeing 777-F production freighter, making it ideal for transporting volumetric cargo such as e-commerce goods which currently constitute around 20% of global air cargo tonnage with further growth projected in the next few years.

Badr Abbas, Emirates SkyCargo’s Divisional Senior Vice President said: “The induction of the first converted Emirates Boeing 777-300ERSF into operational service represents the next step in the expansion of our fleet and operational agility. We are optimising our fleet assets by converting older Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft to meet the growing demand for air cargo capacity to transport goods rapidly across the world.

“Combined with our growing fleet of Boeing 777-F production freighters, we have already been able to scale our global freighter network from just over 40 destinations in February this year to 62 destinations currently and growing. We are providing our global customers with scalable cargo capacity and ultimate flexibility and connectivity when moving cargo to and through our hub in Dubai.”

Ambitious fleet and network expansion

The converted Boeing 777-300ERSF is the sixth new freighter, following five Boeing 777-F production freighters, to join Emirates SkyCargo’s fleet since March 2026. As part of its ambitious expansion strategy, Emirates SkyCargo will also be taking delivery of five additional Boeing 777-F aircraft as well as one additional converted Boeing 777-300ERSF by December 2026. Emirates SkyCargo will also be introducing three additional converted Boeing 777-ERSFs into its fleet in 2027.

Emirates SkyCargo’s fleet and network expansion reaffirm the carrier’s commitment to play a larger role in supporting global trade, linking new destinations with businesses, and deepening connectivity to key production hubs already on the carrier's global network spanning six continents.
*combination carrier

EMIRATES

 

AIRCRAFT - Emirates takes first B777-300(ERSF) post-conversion

Emirates (EK, Dubai International) has taken redelivery of the first B777-300(ERSF) after conversion by Israel Aerospace Industries. A6-EBK (msn 34481) was ferried from Tel Aviv Ben Gurion to Abu Dhabi International for repainting on May 28, 2026. The aircraft was operated by Emirates as a passenger-configured B777-300ER until late October 2025. It is the first of at least ten of its own B777s that Emirates is planning to convert into freighters.

CH Avaition / Phto: Flyingphotos

FLEET - Challenge Group took delivery of its first B777-300ERSF conversion, on lease from AerCap

Delivery Date: The aircraft landed in Malta (MLA) from Tel Aviv (TLV) on February 24, 2026, wearing full Challenge Group colors.
Significance: This is the first of six 777-300ERSFs Challenge Group plans to add to its fleet by 2027, making it the first operator of this conversion type in Europe.
Registration & Operations: The aircraft is registered on the Maltese AOC (9H) and is scheduled to enter commercial service in March 2026.

The 777-300ERSF is a passenger-to-freighter conversion developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in partnership with AerCap, capable of carrying approximately 100 metric tons of payload.

Photo: Challenge

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."