AirBridge is about to take delivery of a 747-400ERF (35170, on lease from Amentum). This is one of the ex-Jade Cargo International freighters that has been stored since Jade grounded its fleet two and one half years ago. This delivery will not give ABC any additional capacity, but rather will be used to replace a -400ERF that AirBridge is returning off lease to Air France.
Bigger news, however, is that in October, AirBridge will take delivery of another 747-8F, bringing its total of that type to six, and marking the first stage of the carrier’s plan to move to an all-747-8F fleet. Exactly which 747-8F ABC will take in October is not yet known, but Cargo Facts believes it may be unit 60117, a freighter built this year for a customer Boeing expected to have signed a firm order some time ago. That order has not materialized (although Cargo Facts believes negotiations are ongoing), and the freighter, which has completed Boeing flight testing is now parked at the manufacturer’s Everett facility.
Source: Cargo Facts