Kalitta Air has taken delivery of the first two Boeing 777-300ERSF converted freighters, following US and Israeli certification of the modified twinjet.
The Michigan-based carrier – which became the launch operator of the aircraft – is leasing the jets from AerCap Cargo.
Israel Aerospace Industries developed the -300ERSF through a joint programme, initially with lessor GECAS and subsequently with AerCap after it merged with GECAS.
One of the two aircraft handed over to Kalitta Air is the certification prototype.
They are part of an agreement which will cover seven of the twinjets. Kalitta Air will use them to replace older Boeing 747 freighters.
The -300ERSF – which has a 100t payload capacity – is one of several 777 freighter conversion programmes initiated by various companies for the -300ER and -200ER variants.
IAI’s modification is the first of the -300ER programmes to obtain certification.
Kalitta Air plans to place both aircraft into revenue operations in early October, says AerCap, with further deliveries taking place “over the coming weeks”.
“This aircraft will give us greater range and payload capability to meet growing demand in the global cargo market,” says Kalitta Air chief Connie Kalitta, adding that the carrier has “always embraced new technology to serve our customers”.
