Aircraft will operate under CMI contract with Air Atlanta Icelandic, while Fly Meta reduces the original four-aircraft order to three units
AerCap has delivered the first of three Boeing 777-300ERSF passenger-to-freighter aircraft to Hong Kong-based aviation leasing and ACMI/CMI solutions provider Fly Meta.
The first aircraft was delivered by Dublin-headquartered lessor AerCap on 21 November and the second and third are scheduled for delivery in the second quarter and fourth quarter of 2026, respectively.
AerCap originally signed lease agreements for four 777-300ERSFs with Fly Meta in January 2023. The company did not comment on the downsizing of the order.
The three aircraft will be operated under a Crew Maintenance and Insurance (CMI) contract by Air Atlanta Icelandic under the Hungary Airlines brand.
The 777-300ERSF, also known as "The Big Twin", is the first passenger-to-freighter conversion programme of the 777-300ER. It received FAA and CAAI certification in August and entered service in mid-September.
"We are delighted to deliver the first 777-300ERSF to Fly Meta, in partnership with Air Atlanta Icelandic - the first customer to operate this aircraft type between the APAC and EMEA regions," said Rich Greener, head of AerCap Cargo.
"With 25% more capacity than today's smaller twin-engine long-haul freighters, the Big Twin offers significant cost efficiencies, superior range and outstanding operational commonality. I would like to thank the entire Fly Meta, Hungary Air and Air Atlanta teams for their trust in AerCap Cargo and for their partnership."
Helen Chen, chief executive of Fly Meta, said: "We are proud to receive our first Boeing 777-300ERSF, which represents a major step forward in Fly Meta's long-term widebody freighter strategy.
"This aircraft will significantly strengthen our cargo corridor and further expand our ability to serve global e-commerce, express and speciality cargo markets. Together with our partners AerCap, Air Atlanta Icelandic and Hungary Airlines, Fly Meta is building a modern, efficient and scalable widebody freighter platform centred on the 777-300ERSF, 747-400F and upcoming aircraft.
"We look forward to bringing additional capacity online in 2026 to meet the fast-growing demand across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa."
Established in 2022, Fly Meta is headquartered in Hong Kong and also has offices in Beijing. The company provides integrated ACMI, CMI and charter solutions to airlines, logistics providers and e-commerce partners worldwide.
Using its cooperation with Air Atlanta Icelandic and Hungary Airlines, as well as its fleet of widebody freighters, including the Boeing 747-400F, 777-300ERSF and Airbus A330-200F, Fly Meta is focused on developing cargo networks across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and North America.
