Freighter orders were to the fore at this year's Farnborough, with two start-ups and one established carrier booking major orders for Boeing aircraft.
Kuwaiti start-up operator LoadAir Cargo signed an order for two Boeing 747-400 Extended Range Freighters at the show yesterday. The order is the first part of the company's ambitions to create a major global cargo and aircraft leasing force. "We are trying to build a synergistic aviation group," said Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al-Sabah, chairman of LoadAir.
As well as beginning regional cargo operations hubbing out of Kuwait, LoadAir is in advanced talks with potential partners both in China and Europe about forming cargo joint ventures to operate the aircraft it is buying, said Sheikh Khalifa.
LoadAir will take delivery of its first 747 from Boeing in 2008. It is also looking to acquire smaller cargo types from the secondhand market, such as the Airbus A300 or A310, to enable it to begin operations this year, said Sheikh Khalifa.
Later in the week, new Indian cargo start-up Flyington Freighters signed a deal for four Boeing 777 freighters. Eventually it wants to operate a 30-strong fleet.
The new privately-owned carrier is owned by investors related to media company Deccan Chronicle. Flyington Freighters will operate international cargo flights from its Hyderabad base and in particular is aiming to tap into the market for cargo between India and China.
At a press conference announcing an order for 10 Boeing 747-8 freighters, Emirates ruled out a return to the Airbus A380F. The new Boeing freighters will "strengthen Emirates fleet and reinforce Emirates cargo position in the top league of cargo carriers", said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman of Emirates Airline and Group. It is an "adaptable aircraft", he said, capable of serving Africa, the Middle East and most of Asia from the carrier's Dubai hub.
The first of the GEnx-powered 747-8F order, worth $3.3 billion at list prices, will be delivered in 2010. Emirates currently operates nine freighters and will add a further two leased 747-400Fs next year, said Sheikh Ahmed. It also has eight 777Fs on order.
Emirates has big plans both for the passenger airline and its cargo subsidiary. "I think this is the start for the airline SkyCargo," said Sheikh Ahmed. "We have a big potential in Dubai being a hub and with the expansion in Jebel Ali." The huge new airport being built at Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates is scheduled to open in early 2008.
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