AirtrafficController
2010-02-23, 05:04 PM
Southern Air continues to look to acquire additional Boeing 747 Classic freighters even as the US cargo carrier begins operating new Boeing 777Fs.
Southern Air new chief executive Daniel McHugh says the carrier has been taking advantage of the significant drop in the value of used aircraft and engines over the last year by closing several transactions for 747-200Fs and General Electric CF6s. He says Southern, which now has 12 747-200s and three 747-300s in its active fleet, continues to be on the hunt for more 747 Classics and CF6 engines as more become available.
He says Southern specifically is looking for 747-200 and 747-300 freighters that were previously operated by "good airlines with exemplary maintenance records". He says Southern has a strong preference for GE-powered 747s although it does have some Pratt and Whitney-powered 747s in its fleet.
McHugh adds while the sharp drop in cargo traffic last year led to the grounding of a "remarkable number" of 747 Classic freighters only a few aircraft that have become available during the downturn meet Southern's criteria.
"You have to have an eye on what to buy and when," he says. "There are a lot of 747-200s out there. There's not much premium grade -200s."
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/20 ... -200s.html (http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/02/23/338693/southern-airs-new-ceo-seeks-to-acquire-more-747-200s.html)
Southern Air new chief executive Daniel McHugh says the carrier has been taking advantage of the significant drop in the value of used aircraft and engines over the last year by closing several transactions for 747-200Fs and General Electric CF6s. He says Southern, which now has 12 747-200s and three 747-300s in its active fleet, continues to be on the hunt for more 747 Classics and CF6 engines as more become available.
He says Southern specifically is looking for 747-200 and 747-300 freighters that were previously operated by "good airlines with exemplary maintenance records". He says Southern has a strong preference for GE-powered 747s although it does have some Pratt and Whitney-powered 747s in its fleet.
McHugh adds while the sharp drop in cargo traffic last year led to the grounding of a "remarkable number" of 747 Classic freighters only a few aircraft that have become available during the downturn meet Southern's criteria.
"You have to have an eye on what to buy and when," he says. "There are a lot of 747-200s out there. There's not much premium grade -200s."
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/20 ... -200s.html (http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/02/23/338693/southern-airs-new-ceo-seeks-to-acquire-more-747-200s.html)