Hongyuan Group has ordered eleven converted B777-300(ER)(SF)s from Israel Aerospace Industries with options from nine more amid plans to place the freighters with Air Belgium (KF, Brussels Charleroi) and Jiangxi Cargo Airlines (Nanchang International).
The Chinese logistics firm said that the first of the eleven firm-ordered aircraft is expected to redeliver in the third quarter of 2024. It did not reveal how many aircraft would be placed with either of the operators. Hongyuan Group owns a 49% stake in Air Belgium (which already operates two B747-8Fs and one recently inducted A330-200(P2F) on behalf of the Chinese holding) and a 44% stake in Jiangxi Cargo Airlines, which has yet to be certified. The Chinese cargo carrier previously indicated plans to operate A330 freighters but intends to lease them directly rather via a CMI deal with the owner.
IAE expects to obtain the Supplemental Type Certificate for its B777-300(ER) P2F conversion process by the end of 2022. The launch customer is set to be Kalitta Air (K4, Detroit Willow Run).
