Jan. 6 – Cathay Pacific will begin reintroducing its fleet of five Boeing 747-400 Freighters kept in the Mojave desert in California for the past twelve months as other airlines are expected to follow suit.
Cargo freight dropped by 20 percent in the past year due to the economic downturn, with many airlines opting to retire planes in the Mojave desert, a safe refuge for aircraft storage due to low humidity. Some of these planes are now being returned to service, with Cathay Pacific recently bringing one plane back for overhaul and refitting at its maintenance center in Xiamen.
Rates for cargo have also increased with the global economy steadily recovering from the financial crisis; increasing rates to US$5 per kilo compared to US$1 per kilo in January 2009. Other regional airlines expected to return jets into service include Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Korean Air.
