While the Covid virus crisis is about to be clear cut in many aircraft fleets, the US National Airlines is relying on expansion due to the increased demand in the cargo sector. Three Boeing 747-400BCF previously parked in the desert will soon expand the fleet.

The three planes are former fleet members of Cathay Pacific, which were parked a few years ago in Arizona and National Airlines took an early option to activate them if necessary. Initially, the pandemic slowed expansion plans, but due to the continued strong demand in the freight sector, including from the health sector, the decision was made to enlarge the fleet. “We felt it was imperative to reactivate these planes to help governments and global aid agencies procure much-needed relief supplies,” said Chris Alf, the airline's CEO. The first Boeing 747-400BCF (ex B-KAI) for National Airlines will take off in the next few days. The other two cargo planes are scheduled to go into service by December, so National Airlines will grow to five Boeing 747-400BCFs.

In addition, the airline has already strengthened itself at the beginning of this year with an Airbus A330-200, which is used together with a Boeing 757-200 for charter flights in the sports sector, but also for military flights.

The Orlando-based National Airlines was created in 2007 from the name change of Murray Air and operates worldwide charter flights in cargo and passenger flights for civil as well as military customers. NCR mainly operates between the USA, Asia and the Middle and Near East, with freight orders to Europe being carried out again and again.