Kalitta Air and Air Atlanta Icelandic have integrated CHAMP Cargosystems’ Cargospot Weight & Balance software to manage load planning for their newly introduced Boeing 777-300ERSF freighter fleets.

Announced in a September 15, 2026, press release, the software adoption allows the initial operators of the converted freighter to automate complex weight distribution calculations. The system is designed to optimize the aircraft’s center of gravity, which directly reduces fuel burn during long-haul operations.

Digitalizing load planning for high-capacity freighters

The Boeing 777-300ERSF, a passenger-to-freighter conversion program led by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and AerCap Cargo, provides 25 percent more cargo volume than smaller twin-engine long-haul freighters. This increased capacity introduces complex load planning requirements to ensure the aircraft remains within safe structural and aerodynamic limits.

By utilizing the Cargospot system, loadmasters can calculate weight distributions for the Boeing 777-300ERSF in seconds. The centralized digital environment eliminates the need for fragmented planning tools, reducing training requirements and minimizing the risk of human error during ground operations.

“As the launch operator of the 777-300ERSF, we needed a weight and balance solution that could support the aircraft from day one while remaining consistent with the processes already used across our fleet,” said Toby Ray, Chief Loadmaster at Kalitta Air. “By utilizing CHAMP’s Cargospot Weight & Balance platform, our loadmasters can work within a familiar environment, improve planning efficiency, and optimize aircraft loading to maximize payload capability while supporting fuel efficiency.”

Global deployment and fleet integration

Both airlines are currently operating the Boeing 777-300ERSF on major international trade lanes. Kalitta Air, which took delivery of the first two converted aircraft in September 2025, deploys the freighters on routes connecting the United States and Japan. Air Atlanta Icelandic received its first aircraft in November 2025 and operates the type between Asia and Europe under Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance (CMI) contracts for Fly Meta and Hungary Airlines.

CHAMP Cargosystems developed the software to support these specific operational profiles. Khaled Chamsuddine, Product Manager for Aircraft Operations at CHAMP, noted that the platform is designed to digitize critical operational processes for freighter airlines. He stated that the company aims to help operators maximize aircraft performance safely and efficiently from the start of revenue service.

AirPro News analysis

The successful entry into service of a new freighter type relies as much on digital infrastructure as it does on the physical aircraft. While the engineering achievement of converting a Boeing 777-300ER into a high-volume freighter is significant, operators cannot realize the promised economic benefits without precise load management. We view the adoption of a unified weight and balance system by the first two Boeing 777-300ERSF operators as a necessary step to standardize ground handling. By optimizing the center of gravity through automated software, these airlines are positioning themselves to extract the maximum payload and fuel efficiency from the “Big Twin” platform.

Sources: Kalitta Air

BermudAir will become the first operator of the Embraer E190F freighter in the Americas following a lease agreement with aircraft lessor Regional One announced on September 16, 2026. The transaction expands the Bermuda-based carrier’s operations into dedicated cargo services across North-America and the Caribbean.

According to a press release issued by Embraer, BermudAir will lease a single converted E190F, making it the second global operator of the manufacturer’s passenger-to-freighter (P2F) platform. The addition builds on the airline’s existing passenger network, which currently connects 10 destinations using a fleet of Embraer E175 and Embraer E190 regional jets.

Expanding into dedicated cargo-aircraft operations

The leased E190F will serve routes spanning Bermuda, the Caribbean, the United States, and Canada. BermudAir currently operates two E175s and two E190s for its scheduled passenger services, providing a common type rating and maintenance foundation for the incoming freighter.

“Cargo is a natural next step for us. We’ve built a reliable, right-sized operation connecting Bermuda and the Caribbean to North America, and the E190F lets us put that same network to work moving express cargo, supporting local businesses, e-commerce and time-sensitive freight across the islands we serve,” said Adam Scott, Founder and CEO of BermudAir.

The cargo expansion runs parallel to BermudAir’s broader fleet modernization strategy. In July 2026, the carrier announced a firm order for 10 Airbus A220-300 passenger aircraft to support its network growth, with deliveries scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2027, according to reporting by ch-aviation.

Embraer’s E-Freighter program gains momentum

The lease agreement highlights the ongoing rollout of Embraer’s P2F conversion program. Regional One has placed five firm orders for the E190F since the launch of the E-Freighter program. Two of those converted aircraft have already been delivered to the lessor and are in active service.

“As an innovative and rapidly growing airline, BermudAir is an excellent partner to help showcase the versatility and value of the E-Freighter platform. This milestone represents another important step in the continued growth of the E190 P2F program,” said George Mamangakis, Chief Investment Officer at Regional One.

Global rollout of the E190F

The E190F entered commercial service on March 9, 2026, when launch customer Bridges Air Cargo deployed the first converted aircraft on routes in Europe. The program subsequently secured additional backlog at the Farnborough International Airshow on July 21, 2026, when aircraft lessor Azorra signed an agreement for up to 30 E-Freighters, comprising 20 firm orders and 10 purchase rights, as reported by Aviation Week.

AirPro News analysis

We view BermudAir’s adoption of the E190F as a logical utilization of the carrier’s existing Embraer maintenance and crew training infrastructure. Operating a mixed fleet of passenger and freighter variants of the same aircraft family allows regional carriers to diversify revenue streams without proportionally increasing overhead costs. The placement of the first E-Freighter in the Americas provides Embraer with a highly visible regional showcase for its P2F conversion program in a market traditionally dominated by larger narrowbody freighters or smaller turboprops.

Sources: Embraer

Deutsche Lufthansa AG has exercised options to purchase 20 Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft, expanding its total firm order book for the narrowbody family to 60 jets. The September 17, 2026, announcement marks the European airline group’s first commitment to the largest variant of the 737 MAX family, with deliveries scheduled to begin in the early 2030s.

The transaction, valued at approximately $3.4 billion at list prices, stems from a 2023 agreement in which Lufthansa ordered 40 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft and secured 60 additional purchase options. According to the company’s press release, the incoming MAX 10s will gradually replace older Airbus A320 family aircraft across the group’s short- and medium-haul networks, supporting a broader fleet modernization strategy aimed at reducing fuel consumption and lowering unit costs.

Fleet modernization and efficiency targets

Lufthansa Group projects that the Boeing 737 MAX 10 will deliver a 30 percent reduction in fuel consumption compared to the older generation aircraft it is slated to replace. The higher seating capacity of the MAX 10 variant is also expected to drive a 20 percent reduction in unit costs on European routes.

The Orders contributes to a larger fleet renewal program for Deutsche Lufthansa AG. The company expects to take delivery of more than 250 new aircraft by 2035. While the initial batch of 40 Boeing 737 MAX 8s has been allocated to the group’s point-to-point subsidiary Eurowings, Lufthansa has not yet disclosed which of its operating Airlines will fly the newly ordered MAX 10s, according to reporting by Air Data News.

Boeing production and certification timeline

The Lufthansa order arrives as The Boeing Company works to stabilize its manufacturing output and secure regulatory approval for the 737 MAX 10. The largest variant of the MAX family remains uncertified by the FAA, running several years behind its original development schedule.

On September 16, 2026, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg addressed the program’s status at a Morgan Stanley conference. According to Reuters, Ortberg stated that stabilizing the 737 MAX production rate at the target of 47 aircraft per month is taking longer than the manufacturer anticipated. He noted, however, that certification for the 737-10 variant is expected “very soon.”

AirPro News analysis

We view Lufthansa’s decision to exercise these options as a strong vote of confidence in the Boeing 737 MAX 10 program, despite the ongoing certification delays and production rate challenges at Boeing. By scheduling deliveries for the early 2030s, Lufthansa Group insulates itself from the immediate supply chain and regulatory bottlenecks currently constraining Boeing’s output.

The introduction of the MAX 10 alongside the MAX 8 and the existing Airbus A320 family fleet highlights a deliberate dual-sourcing strategy. This approach provides Lufthansa with leverage in future aircraft procurement campaigns and operational flexibility across its various subsidiaries, ensuring it is not overly reliant on a single manufacturer for its narrowbody requirements.

Sources: Lufthansa Group Newsroom