National Airlines (N8, Orlando Sanford) is looking to source additional factory-built, nose-loading B747-400 freighters but is also evaluating alternatives due to the quadjet's scarcity, the cargo specialist's VP strategy and revenue optimisation, Nihal Wickrema, has told The Loadstar.
"We want to add more factory-built freighters in the coming months. Unfortunately, there is limited availability of factory-built 747-400Fs, so, with a focus on continuous growth and sustainability, we are looking at all possibilities," he said.
The airline currently operates two nose-loading freighters, namely one B747-400ERF and one B747-400FSCD. Both were inducted in 2022. Another B747-400FSCD is currently parked at Victorville ahead of delivery to National Airlines, the ch-aviation fleets module shows.
Wickrema stressed that the demand for nose-loading B747s is very strong, partially due to the decrease in Il-76TD and An-124 availability on the Western market given sanctions on Russia. The B747 is capable of carrying much higher cargo volumes than twinjet freighters, which offsets its higher operating costs. As such, Wickrema believes that the unique high-volume and oversized cargo capabilities of the B747 will continue to drive demand for the type until new aircraft of this size are available.
The production B747 used to be the only Western-made type capable of carrying oversized cargo that would not fit through the standard cargo door until Airbus Beluga Transport started availing of its A300-600ST Beluga to the charter market. National Airlines previously expressed tentative interest in the Airbus freighter but does not see it as a proper replacement option.
"The Beluga has operational constraints which makes them not yet ready to take over B747 traffic," Wickrema argued.
National Airlines also operates six converted B747-400(BCF)s and a passenger-configured A330-200 and B757-200.
