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

Insights

Aerospace Leasing Strategist

Delivery of the first 777-300ERSF to Fly Meta marks a concrete capacity expansion and first-mover route deployment between APAC and EMEA.

The transaction shows AerCap converting certification into revenue‑generating asset placements: one 777-300ERSF delivered on November 21, 2025 and two more scheduled in Q2 2026 and Q4 2026. The aircraft benefits from regulatory clearance with FAA and CAAI certification on August 31, 2025, enabling immediate commercial use under a CMI contract operated by Air Atlanta Icelandic under the Hungary Air brand.

Their business mechanism is straightforward: place a newly certified passenger-to-freighter conversion into a leased/CMI operating structure to capture demand for long‑haul cargo lanes. Key dependencies include on-time delivery of the remaining two frames, reliable CMI performance by the operator, and the ability of Fly Meta to source cargo volumes on APAC–EMEA routes. Watch absorption of the second and third deliveries in Q2 2026 and Q4 2026 as near‑term indicators of demand and operational integration.

DUBLIN, Dec. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AerCap Holdings N.V. ("AerCap" or the "Company") (NYSE: AER) today announced that it has delivered the first of three Boeing 777-300ERSF converted aircraft to Hong Kong-based aviation leasing and ACMI/CMI solutions provider Fly Meta Leasing Co., Ltd ("Fly Meta"). The first aircraft was delivered on November 21 and the second and third are scheduled for delivery in Q2 and Q4 2026, respectively.

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 25% more capacity than today's smaller twin-engine long-haul freighters, the Big Twin offers significant cost efficiencies, superior range and outstanding operational commonality. I would like to thank the entire Fly Meta, Hungary Air and Air Atlanta teams for their trust in AerCap Cargo and for their partnership. "

"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 Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa."

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 Dublin with offices in Shannon, Memphis, Miami, Singapore, London, Dubai, Shanghai, Amsterdam and other locations around the world.

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 Hong Kong with offices in Beijing, the company provides integrated ACMI, CMI and charter solutions to airlines, logistics providers and e-commerce partners worldwide.

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 Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and North America. Through its specialized "One-Stop-Shop" service model, Fly Meta supports customers with tailored end-to-end operations, asset management expertise, and a global partner network.

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 the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and other countries, on our business and results of operations, financial condition and cash flows; the effects of terrorist attacks on the aviation industry and on our operations; the economic condition of the global airline and cargo industry and economic and political conditions; the impact of hostilities in the Middle East, or any escalation thereof, on the aviation industry or our business; trade tensions, including U.S. tariffs and retaliatory measures by China and other countries, and the resulting geopolitical uncertainty; development of increased government regulation, including travel restrictions, sanctions, regulation of trade and the imposition of import and export controls, tariffs and other trade barriers; a downgrade in any of our credit ratings; competitive pressures within the industry; regulatory changes affecting commercial flight equipment operators, flight equipment maintenance, engine standards, accounting standards and taxes; and disruptions and security breaches affecting our information systems or the information systems of our third-party providers.

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?

AerCap announced delivery of the first of three 777-300ERSF aircraft to Fly Meta, delivered on November 21, 2025.

When are the remaining AerCap (AER) 777-300ERSF deliveries scheduled for Fly Meta?

The second and third 777-300ERSF are scheduled for delivery in Q2 2026 and Q4 2026, respectively.

What certification and service milestones does the 777-300ERSF have for AerCap (AER)?

The 777-300ERSF received FAA and CAAI certification on August 31, 2025 and entered service in mid-September 2025.

How much more capacity does the 777-300ERSF offer versus smaller twin-engine freighters?

AerCap states the 777-300ERSF provides approximately 25% more capacity than today's smaller twin-engine long-haul freighters.

Who will operate the delivered 777-300ERSF for Fly Meta under AerCap (AER) arrangement?

The aircraft will be operated under a CMI contract by Air Atlanta Icelandic under the Hungary Air brand.