Atlas Air to operate B747- 400F for Turkish Cargo under ACMI deal

Leading U.S.-based cargo and charter airline Atlas Air has announced a new long-term ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) agreement with Turkish Cargo, the cargo division of Turkish Airlines.

As part of the agreement, Atlas Air will operate a Boeing 747-400F wide-body freighter on behalf of Turkish Cargo, supporting its operations out of Istanbul. Beginning in May 2025, the aircraft will fly regular routes to major destinations across the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. This partnership will enhance Turkish Cargo’s capacity and strengthen its ability to offer faster, more efficient logistics solutions to its customers.

“We are pleased to partner with Turkish Cargo, a respected leader in the international airfreight sector, and look forward to supporting the company’s ambitious growth plans with our proven track record of performance,” says Michael Steen, Chief Executive Officer, Atlas Air Worldwide. “This long-term agreement demonstrates the continued demand for widebody freighter capacity and underscores the trust airlines place in Atlas to provide safe, reliable, and efficient operations.”

“Built on mutual trust and a shared vision with Atlas Air, we believe this collaboration will create long-term value and further strengthen our position within the global logistics ecosystem,” says Ahmet Bolat, Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines.

The aircraft, registered as N439GT (MSN 30767), is 23.2 years old and previously operated with China Airlines Cargo for Dragonair between March 2005 and May 4, 2008. It was withdrawn from service on December 19, 2023, and subsequently stored at Southern California Logistics Airport (VCV) in Victorville, U.S, according to data from Planespotters.net.

The aircraft was later acquired by Jetran, a U.S.-based company specialising in acquiring and converting aircraft, including Boeing 777 freighters. It was subsequently acquired by Atlas Air, re-registered as N439GT, and entered service on August 17, 2024.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) have approved the operations of the aircraft. Notably, the ACMI service will be valid for one year, from May 7, 2025, to May 7, 2026.

Turkish Airlines also requested an exemption from subsection 8.2(2) of the ATR, which mandates filing an application at least 15 days before the first planned flight. This exemption was granted by the CTA due to impracticality.

Turkish Cargo's fleet comprises eight Boeing 777Fs, ten Airbus A330-200Fs, and six wet-leased freighters, three A310-300Fs, and three A321-200Fs. The carrier has also placed an order for five Airbus A350 freighters, with an option to purchase up to 20 additional units.

Atlas Air's fleet consists of 87 aircraft, including Boeing 737Fs, Boeing 747Fs, Boeing 747-8Fs, Boeing 747s, Boeing 767Fs, Boeing 767s, and Boeing 777Fs.

On April 22, 2025, Turkish Cargo signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hong Kong Air Cargo in Hong Kong to explore strategic cooperation in global air cargo operations. The MoU outlines a joint commitment to pursue codeshare arrangements, freighter aircraft collaboration, and expanded connectivity across key global routes.