Lessor AerCap has announced that it handed over the first two Boeing 777-300ERSF Passenger-to-Freighter (“P2F”) converted aircraft to US cargo airline Kalitta Air, including the prototype certification aircraft.
These aircraft, part of a larger seven-aircraft order, reached Kalitta’s facility in Oscoda, Michigan on September 12 and 13, 2025, the lessor announced in a statement on September 15, 2025.
Kalitta Air became the launch operator of the AerCap Cargo 777-300ERSF conversion program in 2020, as part of a strategy to replace their ageing Boeing 747 freighter fleet.
Since then, the program has gone through thorough certification and testing with the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to allow the aircraft to operate with a 100-ton payload capacity.
“With certification now received from both the CAAI and FAA, we are pleased to begin delivering the aircraft to our customers – a significant milestone for the program,” said Aengus Kelly, CEO of AerCap.
The Boeing 777-300ER is recognized as “the most successful widebody passenger variant in aviation history”, with over 800 units delivered, AerCap said.
According to the lessor, the 777-300ERSF is set to “redefine the future of air freight” with a payload capacity of 100 metric tons (220,000 pounds) in a volume of 811 cubic meters (28,640 cubic feet) and can significantly reduce operating costs compared to current widebody freighters.
Additionally, AeroCap said that as it enters service and replaces the aging 747F, the 777-300ERSF will contribute to the decarbonization of air cargo by cutting CO2 emissions by 20%.
“This aircraft will give us greater range and payload capability to meet growing demand in the global cargo market,” said Connie Kalitta, CEO of Kalitta Air.
Kalitta Air plans to start using both aircraft for revenue operations in early October 2025, with additional deliveries expected in the coming weeks.
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