Kalitta Charters II (K5, Detroit Willow Run) has announced that it will retire its two remaining B727-200(F)s in 2024, thus transitioning to an all-B737 freighter fleet.
"The B727 has proven to be a workhorse in the cargo industry and remains unmatched in its self-stainability in the field," the cargo charter specialist said.
The ch-aviation fleets history module shows that Kalitta Charters II has operated nine B727-200(F)s, inducting the first two in 2000. Currently, only two remain in service - N726CK (msn 21951) and N729CK (msn 22982), with the remaining seven parked at Oscoda. The two ex-Astar Air Cargo aircraft are 43.2 and 41.7 years of age, respectively. The airline did not provide a more specific retirement timeline.
Having retired all DC-9 freighters in 2019, Kalitta Charters II currently operates one B737-300(BDSF), four B737-300(F)s, eight B737-400(SF)s, and two B737-800(BDSF)s. It has been gradually growing its fleet of B737 freighters since adding the first one in 2014. One B737-400(SF) and both -800(BDSF)s are operated under a CMI deal with DHL Worldwide Express.
