ABC looking to lease ex-Cargo B freighters

FOLLOWING its acquisition of an ex-Air France B747-400ERF in late 2009, AirBridgeCargo is looking to rapidly expand its fleet further by leasing the two ex-Cargo B Boeing 747-400Fs from Nippon Cargo Airlines, according to a source within the Japanese carrier.The two aircraft have been stored in the Californian desert since the Belgian freighter airline went bust in the summer of 2009. NCA’s current strategy does not call on the need for additional freighter lift in the short term and they have been searching for possible lease options.Although not able to confirm or deny the acquisition of the aircraft Tatyana Arslanova, executive president of AirBridgeCargo (right), said: “ABC is gradually implementing its strategy of route network extension, service quality improvement and fleet development by new aircraft, which will be operated on the current routes between Asia and Europe.”Alongside the two NCA 747s, ABC sources also state that the airline will take a second 747-400ERF from Air France in the first half of 2010.