Robert Luke

South Carolina

Senior-Associate Editor at Cargo Facts

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Articles

Kalitta Charters II renews ACMI deal with IBC Airways

1 week ago | cargofacts.com | Robert Luke

Kalitta Charters II has renewed an ACMI arrangement with IBC Airways and is supporting the Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based carrier’s cargo operations in the Caribbean with a 737-300 freighter. Kalitta Charters II is flying a 1992-vintage 737-300BDSF (26070, ex-Star Air) for the ACMI deal for an unspecified amount of time, the carrier told Cargo Facts. The […] Already subscribed?
Pascan Aviation registers Canada’s 1st Saab 340BF

1 week ago | cargofacts.com | Robert Luke

Pascan Aviation has become the first Canadian regional carrier to operate the Saab 340BF after adding the freighter type to its fleet last month. The 1990-vintage Saab 340BF (340B-219) is now on the Longueuil, Quebec-based carrier’s AOC and operating as a Canadian aircraft, President and Chief Executive Julian Roberts told Cargo Facts. Unit 340B-219 began […] Already subscribed?
HNA stops AEI conversions, China halts 777F deliveries amid trade war

1 week ago | cargofacts.com | Robert Luke

HNA Aviation Group has put its 737-800SF conversion deal with AEI on hold after China ordered its carriers to halt all Boeing aircraft orders and deliveries amid the ongoing trade war. AEI was preparing to ship the conversion kit for HNA’s second 737-800SF conversion but will now have to wait until the tariff dispute between […] Already subscribed?
MRO industry gravitates to AI for efficiency

1 week ago | cargofacts.com | Robert Luke

The MRO industry is prioritizing the use of AI and digital platforms to provide efficient aircraft management and maintenance support. Companies across the industry are looking for ways to improve workload efficiency while evaluating AI and digital technology options that align with their strategic initiatives, FEAM Aero Vice President of Technology Joseph Hernandez said during a panel on AI at the recent MRO Americas 2025 in Atlanta.
Carriers, MROs recruiting students into aviation maintenance

1 week ago | cargofacts.com | Robert Luke

Carriers and MROs are recruiting high school and middle school students in an effort to increase awareness of aviation maintenance career opportunities and shore up the industry’s workforce. FedEx is partnering with aviation trade schools to grow its apprentice program and reaching out to young students to introduce them to aviation maintenance, Vice President of […] Already subscribed?
MROs expand capacity to support narrowbody engines

2 weeks ago | cargofacts.com | Robert Luke

MRO companies are increasing capacity to support narrowbody engine repair and overhauls by investing in existing and new facilities to alleviate the constraints the industry is facing. “From an engine standpoint, I think we’re still well below where we need to be as an industry,” Justin Bevington, director of strategy and planning at Delta TechOps, […] Already subscribed?
MRO suppliers monitoring tariffs before altering strategies

2 weeks ago | cargofacts.com | Robert Luke
Electra looks to test fly EL9 hybrid-electric aircraft in 2027

2 weeks ago | cargofacts.com | Robert Luke

Electra will launch a cargo variant of its EL9 Ultra Short hybrid-electric aircraft to support the regional freighter segment. Electra, a developer of short takeoff and landing hybrid-electric aircraft, plans to begin test flights for the EL9 Ultra Short in 2027 and hopes to obtain certification and commence deliveries to customers in 2029, the Manassas, […] Already subscribed?
First ATR 72-600F conversion on track for June completion

2 weeks ago | cargofacts.com | Robert Luke

ACIA Aero Leasing expects the first ATR 72-600 passenger-to-freighter conversion to be completed this summer, offering another turboprop option in the regional-freighter segment. IPR Conversions, another subsidiary of ACIA Aero Capital, has fitted the large cargo door to the prototype and is trimming it, ACIA told Cargo Facts. About 75% of the work is complete […] Already subscribed?
777Fs take wide lead in February transactions

2 weeks ago | cargofacts.com | Robert Luke

Freighter aircraft transactions in February came in at thirty-nine, three fewer than January and twenty-three fewer than February 2024. As the industry braces for global headwinds from a possible trade war that could further reduce freighter activity in the coming months, there were a few notable highlights in the freighter aircraft transactions that Cargo Facts […] Already subscribed?