Air Cargo Freighter Fleet Overview
Western Global Airlines’ freighter fleet of 19 company-owned fuel-efficient heavyweight MD-11 and 747-400 aircraft, all equipped with GE engines, affords it significant operating advantages which benefit its customers
Our critical mass provides us substantial operating efficiencies
Our aircraft are efficient and reliable, supported by expert maintenance resources
Our Boeing Tier-1 customer status ensures the highest standards
All our aircraft are heavyweight models with maximum payload capability
Our entire fleet is ideal for long-haul international flying
All our assets are owned outright – freedom from dependence on lessors supports our low-cost model
We only fly the General Electric CF6-80C2, the most reliable and fuel-efficient engine We own an extensive inventory of spare aircraft, engines and parts
Photo Credit: Chris Gimmillaro
Known the world over as the queen of the skies, the 747-400 freighter is the gold standard. With over 240 in operation today, it is the most popular large widebody air freighter of all time. The 747-400 freighter has the longest range cargo transporting capabilities and the unique advantage of accommodating ten foot tall non-contoured containers which facilitates payload maximization.
Photo Credit: Alex Rivera
The MD-11F is a proven asset, and due to its competitive edge, it is among the most extensively utilized wide-body cargo aircraft in the world. MD-11F's are the backbone of the most successful cargo operators in the world, including Fed Ex, Lufthansa, and UPS. There are half as many MD-11F's in operation as 747-400F's, serving as the workhorse of the world's wide-body cargo fleet.
The MD-11 and 747-400 freighters have significant strengths and advantages for cargo operations. Some of these are:
Lowest cost per kilo of any other freighters – The MD-11, at payloads of 60-90 metric tonnes; the 747-400, at payloads of 90 - 110 metric tonnes.
Lower trip cost – direct routings thereby reducing cycle costs and time in transit, well suited for transporting high-value goods and perishables.
Ability to accommodate cargo of various weights and sizes (volume, weight, dimensions).
Significant main deck and lower deck capacity with some of the highest cube available in the market.
The MD-11 and 747-400 freighter aircraft are the only large freighter aircraft types that are certified to provide service to the U.S. military under the Civilian Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) program.
The high growth long haul markets that Western Global serves favor the operating characteristics of the MD-11 and 747-400 freighters:
Large main-deck and lower deck cargo doors accommodate outsized shipments and facilitate quick loading/unloading
Wide payload-range envelope covers critical leg sectors long haul and inter-regional markets, with minimum 8 hour critical leg endurance.
Competitive fuel burn per tonne-kilometer and attractive payload adjusted fuel burn curve.
Full range of ULD compatibility with high growth market segments
Fuselage shape driven small package ULD compatibility
AMC 463L ULD cargo loading system
20-foot pallet capabilities
Cost effective engine maintenance and spare part costs
Western Global Airlines is very proud of its fleet of highly upgraded, efficient, GE powered MD-11 and 747-400 freighter aircraft, which it operates across the globe.