Leasing a Boeing 767 or A330 Freighter for Long Haul Cargo
Updated: 17 hours ago
A narrowbody freighter such as the 737 carries around 20 tonnes over medium distances. When a network needs more payload per flight, longer range, or main deck and lower deck capacity together, the next step is a widebody freighter. The most common in the leasing market are the Boeing 767-300F and the Airbus A330 freighter.
Moving cargo? Tell us route, weight and dates on WhatsApp or see our air cargo charters.
The aircraft
Boeing 767-300F: around 52 tonnes of payload, with a range of over 3,000 nautical miles at that load. Built new as a freighter and also widely converted from passenger aircraft (the 767-300BCF).
Airbus A330-200F: built new as a freighter, with up to about 68 tonnes of maximum payload.
Airbus A330-300P2F and A330-200P2F: converted passenger aircraft. The A330-300P2F carries up to about 62 tonnes and has a large volume, well suited to lighter e-commerce cargo.
Check the exact variant offered. Conversions and factory freighters differ in payload, volume and range.
When to move up from a narrowbody
Range: routes beyond what a 737 freighter can fly nonstop with a useful load
Payload per flight: regular loads well above 20 tonnes
Unit load devices: a widebody takes standard main deck pallets and lower deck containers, which fits interline networks
Cost per tonne: on long routes with full loads, a widebody is cheaper per tonne than two narrowbody flights
If your loads are irregular, a widebody that flies half full costs more than a narrowbody that flies full. See our guide to block space, full charter or ACMI for choosing the right model.
How the widebody freighter market works
Most widebody freighters are operated by:
Express integrators for their own networks
Cargo airlines that fly scheduled and charter services
ACMI specialists that fly for integrators, airlines and forwarders
Dry leases of widebody freighters are available but usually go to established cargo airlines with their own AOC and maintenance capability. For most clients, the practical routes are ACMI or charter.
What to expect in an ACMI deal
Longer minimum terms than for smaller aircraft, often a year or more
Higher monthly minimum hours, because the aircraft is expensive to own
Crew bases agreed in advance, sometimes with crews positioned to your hub
Your responsibilities: fuel, landing and navigation charges, handling, and often the cargo sales
Questions to ask
Which variant, and what payload at your typical density and route length?
Main deck and lower deck configuration, and the unit load devices it takes
Maintenance forecast for the term, especially heavy checks
Availability guarantee and substitute aircraft; see when the ACMI aircraft goes AOG
Territory: which countries the lessor's insurance covers
Getting a quote
Tell us your network, weekly tonnage and cargo type, and we will come back with widebody freighter options for charter or ACMI. Email info@jetvice.net or see our heavy cargo aircraft charter page.
Comments