China Southern Airlines to lease Boeing 777-300 converted freighters

China Southern Airlines’ cargo division signed a long-term lease agreement for three Boeing 777-300 Extended Range converted freighters, AerCap announced Wednesday. The deal follows recent steps to expand and modernize its fleet: China Southern Air Logistics ordered two classic 777 production freighters and five next-generation 777-8 cargo jets from Boeing less than two weeks earlier. The conversion program for the 777 passenger-to-freighter aircraft, known as the Big Twin, was developed by Israel Aerospace Industries in partnership with AerCap. IAI says it delivered 11 converted Boeing 777-300 freighters to date, with six more aircraft currently undergoing conversion. Under AerCap’s plan, it provides “feedstock” aircraft from its portfolio to IAI, which then performs the conversions. China Southern Cargo is scheduled to take delivery of the first converted 777-300 in October 2027, with the second and third in the first half of 2028. The aircraft offers 110 tons of payload and over 28,600 cubic feet of volume, supporting intercontinental routes, amid rising demand for widebody freighters.