Qatar Airways Cargo is experiencing delays in the delivery of its first converted Boeing 777 freighters due to the ongoing federal government shutdown in the United States. The Doha-based airline had planned to receive its first two 777-200LRMF aircraft from Mammoth Freighters this quarter, as it is the launch customer for this conversion program. However, according to Air Cargo News, the shutdown has hindered the certification process required for the aircraft.
Mark Drusch, Chief Cargo Officer at Qatar Airways, confirmed that Mammoth is close to securing the necessary Supplemental Type Certification (STC) for the 777-200LRMF. Yet, he stated, “The continued US government shutdown has delayed the certification process, and the first aircraft is now expected in January 2024.” Drusch emphasized the uncertainty surrounding the timeline, noting, “We need to see how much work can get done and how long the shutdown will be to determine when we get the aircraft.”
The government shutdown has been in effect since October 1, 2023, and Drusch warned that it might push back the deliveries of all five aircraft that Qatar Airways has ordered. Nevertheless, he pointed out that disruptions in the air cargo industry are not uncommon and have become expected this year due to various factors, including tariffs and changes to trade regulations that affect supply chain flows.
“We were expecting to get the first and second aircraft this quarter,” Drusch added. “Until we really know when the first one comes, we won’t know when units two through five arrive.” He described the situation as a “waiting game,” which complicates business planning. Despite the delays, Drusch reassured stakeholders that the deliveries are a matter of timing rather than possibility. “Those airplanes are going to come. It’s just a matter of what month. So I’m not worried. It’s not like they could be two or three years delayed. It’s not a longer-term issue.”
In May 2023, Qatar Airways Cargo was confirmed as the launch customer for Mammoth’s 777-200 conversion program, having signed an agreement for five aircraft with Texas-based lessor Jetran. The airline’s decision to invest in these converted freighters was partly influenced by setbacks in the delivery schedule of its new Boeing 777-8F aircraft. Originally, Qatar Airways had ordered 34 of the new 777-8F jets, with options for an additional 16. However, the launch date for this new widebody freighter has been postponed from 2027 to 2028 at the earliest.
As of September 2023, Mammoth was conducting final test flights for the 777-200LRMF as it moved closer to obtaining STC for the aircraft. In August, the company reported that it had been performing both company and formal Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) test flights for the 777-200LRMF, with plans to complete these tests by early October. Once the certification is granted, Mammoth will be able to begin delivering the 777-200LRMFs to Qatar Airways Cargo.
The current delays reflect broader challenges facing the air cargo sector, where regulatory hurdles and economic factors continue to create uncertainty. As Qatar Airways navigates these complexities, the focus remains on securing timely deliveries of its essential fleet expansions.
