Aircraft lessor AerCap has signed lease agreements with China Southern Air Logistics, which operates as China Southern Airlines Cargo, for three Boeing 777-300ERSF converted freighters.
Known as “The Big Twin”, the 777-300ERSF is converted by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) through its Bedek Aviation Group passenger-to-freighter (P2F) programme, for which Dublin-headquartered AerCap is the launch customer.
The first of China Southern’s three 777-300ERSF aircraft is scheduled for delivery in October 2027, while the second and third aircraft are scheduled for delivery in the first and second quarter of 2028, respectively.
Li Xiao, chairman of CSA Logistics, said: “We are delighted to sign this significant agreement, extending our long-standing partnership with AerCap.
“The introduction of the Boeing 777-300ERSF converted freighters marks a major milestone in the continued evolution of our fleet.
“These aircraft will provide strong support for our strategy to expand intercontinental routes, enabling us to deliver superior service to customers worldwide.”
“We are delighted to once again support the China Southern Group, a long-standing AerCap customer and a key participant in the global air transportation market,” added Aengus Kelly, chief executive of AerCap.
“Through this important transaction, China Southern Airlines Cargo will add three B777-300ERSF aircraft to its fleet, offering an exceptional combination of range, payload capability and efficiency, powered by the proven GE90 platform.
“The aircraft will integrate seamlessly into China Southern Air Logistics’ existing B777 fleet. We extend our sincere thanks to the teams at China Southern Airlines, China Southern Air Logistics and China Southern Airlines Cargo for their trust and partnership, and look forward to supporting their continued expansion.”
The Challenge Group signed a deal witH AerCap in January 2025 to add two converted Boeing 777-300ERSF freighters to its fleet, the first 777-300ERFs converted freighters to be added to a European AOC.
In September 2025, AerCap delivered the first two 777-300ERSF converted freighters to launch operator Kalitta Air after the programme gained certification the month before.
More recently, in March, Ethiopian Airlines signed lease agreements with AerCap for two Boeing 777-300ERSFs and in May, Air Atlanta Icelandic was in the process of adding its second 777-300ERSF for its partnership with Fly Meta and Hungary Airlines.
