Lessor More.(Brief Article)

The freighter operators who specialize in wet-leasing to airlines can't seem to expand fast enough.

Atlas Air announced the acquisition and conversion of three 747300 combis last month, which will give the carrier 35 747 freighters by the peak fall shipping season. "We feel very comfortable at adding five to seven aircraft per year," Atlas Chairman Michael Chowdry told reporters on accepting delivery of his 11th 747-400F.

Gemini Air Cargo, meanwhile, took the first of up to 12 MD-11 freighters as part of a plan to double its fleet in three years and offer more competition to Atlas in the long-range Pacific market. Gemini, which will operate 12 DC-10-30s and …