Mammoth Freighters hands over first converted 777-200LR freighter for DHL

Mammoth Freighters has delivered its first converted Boeing 777-200LR to Jetran, which plans to place the aircraft with DHL. The airframe, registered N703DN, had previously been shown publicly at the Farnborough air show in July.

The converted jet, designated the 777-200LRMF, is powered by GE Aerospace GE90 engines. According to the Fort Worth-based conversion company, this delivery is the first of 13 aircraft destined for DHL under an order placed by Jetran, which the company says has ordered more than two dozen of the converted freighters in total. Qatar Airways is also listed among the operators expected to receive examples of the type.

Mammoth Freighters chief executive Bill Tarpley described the handover as a significant milestone for the conversion programme, pointing to the aircraft's move from its public unveiling toward pending commercial service with DHL. Jetran chief executive Jordan Jaffe said the delivery reflected years of joint development work between the companies.

The 777-200LRMF programme converts retired passenger-configured 777-200LR airframes into freighters, adding to the range of widebody cargo conversion options available to operators as demand for freighter capacity continues. No entry-into-service date for DHL's use of the aircraft was specified in the announcement.