Air Canada’s Strategic Deployment of Boeing 767-300 Freighters
Air Canada has recently entered a leasing agreement with Ethiopian Airlines Cargo, involving two Boeing 767-300 freighter aircraft. These aircraft, registered as C-GHXI and C-GXHM, are notable for being factory-built freighters, not converted from passenger jets. Prior to the lease agreement, these freighters were stationed at Kansas City International Airport (KCI) in Missouri following their retirement in April 2024. This move comes as Air Canada recalibrates its cargo fleet in response to fluctuating market demands post-COVID-19 pandemic.
The transition process for these aircraft involved a ferry from Kansas City to Toronto. The first aircraft, C-GHXI, was moved on November 12, 2024, and is currently being prepared for its transfer to Ethiopian Airlines. The second aircraft conducted a test flight on December 3, 2024, before following a similar path to Toronto in anticipation of joining Ethiopian Airlines’ operations in East Africa.
Enhancing Ethiopian Airlines Cargo Fleet and Operations
Ethiopian Airlines Cargo, the freight division of Ethiopian Airlines, is set to enhance its operational capacity with the addition of these two freighters. This expansion brings its total dedicated freighter fleet to 20 aircraft, including models such as the Boeing 737-800Fs, additional Boeing 767-300Fs, and Boeing 777Fs. Ethiopian Airlines Cargo utilizes this diverse fleet to manage a substantial network, facilitating cargo transport across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, thereby reinforcing its critical role in global logistics and trade.
The integration of the Boeing 767-300 freighters from Air Canada is poised to further bolster Ethiopian’s cargo handling capabilities, especially in accommodating larger shipments and expanding service routes. This strategic enhancement aligns with Ethiopian Airlines’ long-term goals of increasing cargo throughput and improving service reliability in response to growing market demands.
Air Canada’s Fleet Optimization Amidst Industry Challenges
In parallel to its cargo strategy, Air Canada is navigating a complex operational landscape marked by aircraft delivery delays, particularly with the Boeing 787s. This challenge has prompted the airline to reactivate two of its older Boeing 767-300ERs for passenger service. These aircraft, registered as C-FOCA and C-GLCA, have been in storage at Hamilton International Airport and are over 33 years old. Despite their age, they are being reintroduced into service in February 2025, to serve routes primarily between Toronto-Pearson International Airport and key destinations in the United States and Jamaica.
This tactical redeployment addresses immediate capacity needs and underscores Air Canada’s adaptive strategies in maintaining service continuity amidst fleet modernization delays. The Boeing 767-300ERs will retain their original configuration, offering 24 lie-flat business class seats and 187 economy seats, ensuring passenger comfort and service standards are upheld during this transitional period.