GECAS Cargo entered an agreement with Kalitta Air for three 777-300ERSF aircraft. With this agreement, Kalitta will be the first operator of the new passenger-to-freighter type, adding to its all-cargo fleet when the aircraft are delivered in 2023.

Dubbed “The Big Twin,” the 777-300ERSF will be the largest ever twin-engine freighter, according to GECAS and Kalitta Air. As announced a year ago, the conversion program is jointly funded by GECAS and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), with GECAS delivering the prototype aircraft to undergo conversion in June of this year. The Big Twin will be powered by GE90 engines.

The 777 Freighter, commonly referred to as the Triple Seven is more fuel-efficient than competing aircraft in the wide-body freighter market. Excellent fuel efficiency, operational flexibility, low- noise levels support time-critical cargo schedules even at airports with stringent noise and emissions standards. GECAS Cargo has signed an agreement with Kalitta Air for three Boeing 777-300ERSF aircraft. With this agreement, Kalitta will be the first operator of the new passenger-to-freighter type, adding to their already sizable all-cargo fleet when these aircraft deliver in 2023. Dubbed “The Big Twin,” the 777-300ERSF will be the largest ever twin-engine freighter.

Kalitta 777-300

With 20 years of providing scheduled and on-demand charter service in the United States and around the world, Kalitta Air currently operates a fleet of more than three dozen cargo planes, including 747-400F, 767-300SF and 777F aircraft.

Kalitta Air 777f

“Providing air express delivery all around the world for virtually any type of freight, the addition of these three 777-300ERSF freighters will help us meet the needs of our customers,” Conrad Kalitta, owner of Kalitta Air, said.

“We are delighted to continue our 15-year relationship with Kalitta Air and proud they’ve become the launch customer with the 777-300ERSF freighter for its future air cargo operations,” Rich Greener, SVP and manager cargo of GECAS, said. “The 777-300ERSF shares extensive commonality with the production 777-200LRF. That’s a benefit to any operator looking to bring a new type into their fleet.”

The Big Twin also will offer 25% more capacity and it is anticipated that it will achieve up to 21% lower fuel-burn per tonne than the current four-engine freighters with the GE90. This was designed specifically for the longer-range Boeing 777 series, providing up to 115,000 pounds of thrust. In addition to producing the sole-source engine for the 777 variants, GE Aviation will support MRO engine and power-by-the-hour services to ensure continued performance throughout the lifecycle of the converted freighters.

Kalitta Air Oscoda

“GECAS Cargo has developed a new standard for aviation lessors, leveraging our fleet of passenger aircraft to provide freighter conversion feedstock — for this 777-300ERSF program as well as converting 737-800NGs,” Greener said, “This approach extends the useful life of our aircraft and GE/CFM engines while meeting the need for replacements of retiring freighters and increased demand for dedicated cargo capacity.”