Thai cargo starts using 777Fs

THAI Cargo has started operating its two 777-200LR freighters leased from Southern Air. Thai deployed the two aircraft on its Bangkok to Frankfurt and Bangkok-Hong Kong-Amsterdam-Bangkok routes – the first route twice weekly, the second once weekly.

Thai is the first carrier in Asia and Southeast Asia to conduct freighter operations with the Boeing 777-200LRF equipped with GE90-110B1 engines. The aircraft can carry 102 metric tonnes of cargo per flight, hold 37 standard pallets and has space for 17 cubic metres of bulk cargo.

The freighter’s specifications include its ability to hold extra-sized cargo, special cargo of live animals and dangerous goods together with perishable and fragile cargo of commodities as varied as fresh fruits and flowers, and electronic components and computer spare parts.

Thai Cargo estimates that using the freighters would help increase its total freight income 31 per cent to US$745 million in 2010, with a 53.6 per cent freight load factor by increasing cargo spaces through block space agreement in the future. Part of the profits will be used for future cargo aircraft procurement.