DHL Express has ordered nine Mammoth B777-200LR freighters from Jetran. The aircraft form part of the operators plan to upgrade its older Boeing 747 freighter fleet.
The first of the new Mammoth-converted B777 cargo aircraft will be delivered in 2024, with the remaining aircraft to be supplied through until early 2027.
DHL Express fleet upgrade
This agreement is part of the overall sustainability priority to modernize DHL Express’ long-haul intercontinental fleet, including the replacement of older planes.
Ordering converted freighters with a shorter useful life provides an efficient bridge between current and new airframe technologies, such as new generation wide-body freighters B777-8F and A350F.
“We are excited to welcome Mammoth-converted B777-200LRFs to the DHL Express family,” states Robert Hyslop, EVP Global Aviation at DHL Express.
“With the modernization of our intercontinental fleet, we can simultaneously enhance our proven ability to meet growing demand, improve our environmental footprint and deliver best quality service to our customers.”
“We are pleased to continue demonstrating to partners and customers alike how these advancements elevate our service and bring us closer to our Sustainability Roadmap goals.”
Mammoth-converted B777-200LR
The Mammoth-converted B777-200LR freighter promises similar characteristics and benefits as the production freighter and is an ideal fit for DHL.
Offering all a payload capacity of 102 tons and a range of 9,200 kilometers, the B777F has the largest capacity and range of all twin-engine freighter aircraft.
The variant is more reliable than older B747 planes. It is also more fuel-efficient and reduces CO2 emissions by 18 per cent compared to legacy freighter aircraft.
Between 2018 and 2022, DHL bought 28 new B777-200F freighters from Boeing – all 18 of those aircraft are currently in service. The remaining aircraft will be delivered from 2023 to 2025.
The aircraft forms the backbone of DHL’s intercontinental air network, in which DHL Express operates more than 300 dedicated aircraft with 18 partner airlines on over 2,400 daily flights, across 220 countries and territories.
About freighter conversions
Aircraft freighter conversions generally refers to the process of converting passenger aircraft into cargo aircraft for the purpose of transporting freight.
This process involves removing the seats, overhead bins, and other cabin features that are not necessary for cargo transport, and installing a reinforced cargo floor and cargo handling equipment such as rollers, nets, and straps.
The conversion process can vary depending on the type of aircraft being converted and the desired payload capacity.
Some of the most commonly converted aircraft include the Boeing 747, 767, and 777, as well as the Airbus A300, A310, and A330.
Historically there have been some challenges associated with aircraft freighter conversions. The process can be expensive and time-consuming, and it may often require significant modifications to the aircraft’s structure and systems.
Additionally, freighter operations can be more complex than passenger operations, as they require specialized handling equipment and procedures to ensure the safe and efficient transport of goods.
