en.Wedoany.com Reported - AerCap Holdings N.V. has signed a lease agreement with China Southern Airlines Logistics Co., Ltd. for three Boeing 777-300ERSF converted freighters.
The delivery of these three aircraft is scheduled between October 2027 and the second quarter of 2028: the first in October 2027, the second in the first quarter of 2028, and the third in the second quarter of 2028. This acquisition will significantly expand China Southern Airlines Logistics' dedicated freighter fleet, which currently includes two Boeing 747-400Fs and twelve Boeing 777-200Fs, in addition to utilizing belly cargo capacity from China Southern Airlines' fleet of over 700 passenger aircraft.
AerCap CEO Aengus Kelly stated that the 777-300ERSF achieves a balance between high payload, long-range performance, and operational efficiency, while maintaining commonality with the airline's existing Boeing 777 fleet. Powered by GE90 engines, the converted freighter's commonality allows pilot training, maintenance procedures, and spare parts to be shared with active Boeing 777 passenger and cargo aircraft. The aircraft will support China Southern's strategy to expand intercontinental services from Guangzhou and Shanghai. China Southern Airlines Logistics' network connects major international gateways including Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London Stansted, Los Angeles, Chicago, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi, and reaches over 300 cities globally through partnerships with more than 50 airlines. Li Xiao, Chairman of China Southern Airlines Logistics, stated that the introduction of the 777-300ERSF marks a significant milestone in the company's fleet strategy, enhancing long-haul growth and international service capabilities.
The Boeing 777-300ERSF, often referred to as the "Twin-Engine Jumbo," is a passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion program developed specifically for the 777-300ER. This aircraft type has a payload capacity of approximately 100 tons, a main deck volume exceeding 800 cubic meters, and a range covering Asia-Europe and transpacific routes. Compared to comparable four-engine freighters, it offers significantly lower fuel consumption and benefits from continued support from the GE90 engine platform.
The 777-300ERSF conversion program is led by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), which developed the conversion kit and has obtained supplemental type certificates from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Israel Civil Aviation Authority (CAAI). The prototype and initial conversions of this aircraft type are carried out in Israel, with future plans to increase production capacity through partners, including Etihad Engineering in Abu Dhabi.
Following Emirates SkyCargo's launch of commercial operations for the 777-300ERSF in July 2026, which validated the P2F concept and the transition of the 777-300ER platform to a high-capacity freighter, China Southern Airlines will become one of the first major Asian operators to introduce this aircraft type. Emirates plans to operate five of these freighters by the end of 2027 to support global cargo network growth. Additionally, Kalitta Air is also an early customer involved in the commercial development of this aircraft type. AerCap Cargo, as a key commercial partner, acquires converted aircraft and places them with airline customers, helping the latter gain capacity without direct investment.
For AerCap, this transaction reflects sustained market demand for next-generation converted freighters amid tight production resources for new-build cargo aircraft. As more 777-300ER passenger aircraft enter the conversion phase, the 777-300ERSF is expected to become a major widebody conversion program in the global air cargo sector.
