AerCap Cargo Delivers First Boeing 777-300ERSF to Fly Meta
Rhea-AI Summary
AerCap (NYSE:AER) delivered the first of three converted Boeing 777-300ERSF freighters to Hong Kong-based Fly Meta on November 21, 2025. The remaining two aircraft are scheduled for delivery in Q2 2026 and Q4 2026. The 777-300ERSF, nicknamed the “Big Twin,” received FAA and CAAI certification on August 31, 2025 and entered service in mid-September. The aircraft will be operated under a CMI contract by Air Atlanta Icelandic under the Hungary Air brand. AerCap highlights the type's 25% more capacity versus smaller twin-engine long-haul freighters and positions the asset to support Fly Meta's widebody freighter expansion across APAC, EMEA and other markets.
Positive
- 1 of 3 aircraft delivered on November 21, 2025
- FAA and CAAI certified on August 31, 2025
- 25% more capacity vs smaller twin-engine long-haul freighters
- CMI operation with Air Atlanta Icelandic (Hungary Air brand)
Negative
- Two remaining deliveries scheduled for Q2 2026 and Q4 2026
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, AER declined 1.63%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
AER was up 1% with peers mixed but generally positive: FTAI +0.4%, UHAL +0.59%, URI +2.24%, AL -0.02%, GATX +1.1%. No momentum scanner signals or peer news suggest a sector-wide cargo catalyst.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 09 | Lease agreements | Positive | +0.8% | New A321neo leases with first customer in Uzbekistan for network expansion. |
| Dec 01 | Cargo delivery | Positive | -1.6% | First 777-300ERSF delivery and 2026 schedule for additional freighters. |
| Nov 18 | Lease agreements | Positive | -0.7% | Five-aircraft 737 MAX/NG lease package for FlySafair announced at airshow. |
| Oct 29 | Regulatory filing | Positive | +8.8% | Filing of Q3 interim report with detailed financial statements and notes. |
| Oct 29 | Earnings update | Positive | +8.8% | Record Q3 2025 earnings, raised guidance and substantial shareholder returns. |
News on leasing deals and cargo/fleet expansion has produced modest and sometimes negative next-day moves, while earnings and capital return updates have coincided with stronger positive reactions.
Over the last few months, AerCap reported record Q3 2025 results, raised adjusted EPS guidance to ~$13.70, and highlighted substantial asset sales, Ukraine-related recoveries and buybacks, which coincided with a strong +8.79% move. Subsequent filings detailed revenue, net income and capital structure metrics, plus a new $1 billion repurchase authorization. Commercially, AerCap signed multi-aircraft leases with FlySafair and My Freighter, and delivered the first 777-300ERSF freighter to Fly Meta. This announcement fits the ongoing theme of expanding its cargo and widebody leasing franchise.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement underscored AerCap Cargo’s role in the first passenger‑to‑freighter 777‑300ERSF program, with one aircraft already delivered and two more scheduled for Q2 and Q4 2026. The type’s 25% capacity advantage and recent FAA/CAAI certification highlight a strategic push into high-capacity widebody freight for e‑commerce and specialty cargo. In context of recent lease signings and strong financial results, investors may watch how quickly these aircraft are deployed and what future cargo placements signal about demand and pricing power.
Key Terms
acmi technical
freighter technical
faa regulatory
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
The aircraft will be operated under a Crew Maintenance and Insurance (CMI) contract by Air Atlanta Icelandic under the Hungary Air brand. The Boeing 777-300ERSF, also known as "The Big Twin," is the first passenger-to-freighter conversion program of the Boeing 777-300ER. It received FAA and CAAI certification on August 31, 2025, and entered service in mid-September.
"We are delighted to deliver the first 777-300ERSF to Fly Meta, in partnership with Air Atlanta Icelandic - the first customer to operate this aircraft type between the APAC and EMEA regions," said Rich Greener, the Head of AerCap Cargo. "With
"We are proud to receive our first Boeing 777-300ERSF, which represents a major step forward in Fly Meta's long-term widebody freighter strategy," said Helen Chen, the CEO of Fly Meta. "This aircraft will significantly strengthen our cargo corridor and further expand our ability to serve global e-commerce, express and specialty cargo markets. Together with our partners AerCap, Air Atlanta Icelandic and Hungary Airlines, Fly Meta is building a modern, efficient and scalable widebody freighter platform centered on the 777-300ERSF, 747-400F and upcoming aircraft. We look forward to bringing additional capacity online in 2026 to meet the fast-growing demand across
About AerCap
AerCap is the global leader in aviation leasing with one of the most attractive order books in the industry. AerCap serves approximately 300 customers around the world with comprehensive fleet solutions. AerCap is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (AER) and is based in
About Fly Meta
FLY META was established in 2022 by a team of aviation professionals with extensive experience in global cargo operations and aircraft leasing. Headquartered in
Leveraging its strategic cooperation with Air Atlanta Icelandic and Hungary Airlines, as well as its expanding fleet of widebody freighters including the Boeing 747-400F, 777-300ERSF and A330-200F, Fly Meta is focused on developing high-efficiency long-haul cargo networks across
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain statements, estimates and forecasts with respect to future performance and events. These statements, estimates and forecasts are "forward-looking statements". In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "might," "should," "expect," "plan," "intend," "will," "aim," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "predict," "potential" or "continue" or the negatives thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements and are based on various underlying assumptions and expectations and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and may include projections of our future financial performance based on our growth strategies and anticipated trends in our business. These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the availability of capital to us and to our customers and changes in interest rates; the ability of our lessees and potential lessees to make lease payments to us; our ability to successfully negotiate flight equipment (which includes aircraft, engines and helicopters) purchases, sales and leases, to collect outstanding amounts due and to repossess flight equipment under defaulted leases, and to control costs and expenses; changes in the overall demand for commercial aviation leasing and aviation asset management services; the continued impacts of the Ukraine Conflict, including the resulting sanctions by
As a result, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements included in this press release will prove to be accurate or correct. These and other important factors and risks are discussed in AerCap's annual report on Form 20-F and other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the future performance or events described in the forward-looking statements in this press release might not occur. Accordingly, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results and we do not assume any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, we do not undertake any obligation to, and will not, update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
For more information regarding AerCap and to be added to our email distribution list, please visit www.aercap.com.
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SOURCE AerCap Holdings N.V.
FAQ
What did AerCap (AER) announce about the Boeing 777-300ERSF on December 1, 2025?
When are the remaining AerCap (AER) 777-300ERSF deliveries scheduled for Fly Meta?
What certification and service milestones does the 777-300ERSF have for AerCap (AER)?
How much more capacity does the 777-300ERSF offer versus smaller twin-engine freighters?
Who will operate the delivered 777-300ERSF for Fly Meta under AerCap (AER) arrangement?
