newstodate.aero
Jun 05, 2013 (newstodate): Aeroflot is mulling plans for phasing out its MD-11F freighters.
The freighter aircraft reportedly carry about half of the carrier's cargo volumes, the rest being transported in passenger aircraft belly holds.
Aeroflot is however seeing the operational costs from supporting the ageing freighter aircraft as prohibitive and may ground the fleet even before the expiry of the leasing period.
The three ex-Finnair MD-11 converted freighter aircraft were transferred to Aeroflot as the carrier's subsidiary Aeroflot-Cargo was closed in 2009 and cargo activities re-integrated in the airline.
If Aeroflot decides to continue freighter operations, the options may be either Boeing 777F or Airbus A330-200F aircraft.
The freighter aircraft reportedly carry about half of the carrier's cargo volumes, the rest being transported in passenger aircraft belly holds.
Aeroflot is however seeing the operational costs from supporting the ageing freighter aircraft as prohibitive and may ground the fleet even before the expiry of the leasing period.
The three ex-Finnair MD-11 converted freighter aircraft were transferred to Aeroflot as the carrier's subsidiary Aeroflot-Cargo was closed in 2009 and cargo activities re-integrated in the airline.
If Aeroflot decides to continue freighter operations, the options may be either Boeing 777F or Airbus A330-200F aircraft.