TL;DR: Aircraft lessor AerCap has concluded agreements to place three Boeing 777-300ERSF converted freighters with China Southern Air Logistics Co. Ltd. (China Southern Airlines Cargo), with phased deliveries running from October 2027 through Q2 2028.
Aircraft lessor AerCap has entered into lease agreements covering three Boeing 777-300ERSF converted freighters to be operated by China Southern Air Logistics Co. Ltd., the cargo division of China Southern Airlines. The deal brings China Southern Air Logistics wide-body converted freighter capability, with deliveries scheduled from October 2027 through Q2 2028.
The 777-300ERSF, nicknamed the Big Twin, marks the first time the Boeing 777-300ER platform has been converted from passenger to full freighter configuration. The deal could be read as a signal of growing commitment to the large-twin converted freighter category, though the parties have not publicly elaborated on long-term fleet strategy.
What Is the Boeing 777-300ERSF and Why Does It Matter?
The Boeing 777-300ERSF is the passenger-to-freighter conversion variant of the 777-300ER. It is the first conversion programme developed specifically for this airframe. The aircraft carries the nickname The Big Twin. The 777-300ERSF is a wide-body converted freighter derived from a long-range passenger platform. China Southern Air Logistics Co. Ltd. operates as the cargo arm of the China Southern Airlines group.
Delivery Schedule and Fleet Timeline
The three aircraft are scheduled for delivery in three separate tranches. The first arrives in October 2027. The second follows in Q1 2028. The third completes the delivery sequence in Q2 2028.
AerCap, a major aircraft leasing company, structured this arrangement as a lease. Leasing structures can also preserve capital flexibility for operators like China Southern Air Logistics.
China Southern Air Logistics and the Wider Freighter Market
China Southern Air Logistics Co. Ltd. (China Southern Airlines Cargo) is adding three 777-300ERSF aircraft from 2027 onwards, representing a meaningful step up in freighter capability across a delivery window stretching from late 2027 into mid-2028.
Additional wide-body freighter capacity can influence available space and pricing dynamics for forwarders on long-haul trade lanes where China Southern Air Logistics operates. For independent forwarders sourcing capacity on these lanes, understanding which carriers are adding tonnage and when is a competitive advantage in itself.
CSN Perspective
Deals like this one reinforce a simple truth in air freight: capacity is never static. Three 777-300ERSF aircraft entering the China Southern Air Logistics fleet between late 2027 and mid-2028 will shift the available supply picture on relevant lanes. That creates both opportunity and pricing pressure for forwarders who depend on accurate, live rate intelligence to quote and win business.
At Cargo Solutions Network, we track these market developments because they directly affect what forwarders can quote and book today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Boeing 777-300ERSF?
The Boeing 777-300ERSF is a passenger-to-freighter converted variant of the Boeing 777-300ER. It is the first conversion programme developed for this aircraft type. It carries the nickname The Big Twin.
Who is leasing the three 777-300ERSF aircraft?
AerCap, a major aircraft leasing company, has signed lease agreements with China Southern Air Logistics Co. Ltd. (China Southern Airlines Cargo) for three Boeing 777-300ERSF aircraft.
When will China Southern Air Logistics receive the aircraft?
Deliveries are scheduled in three tranches. The first aircraft arrives in October 2027, the second in Q1 2028 and the third in Q2 2028.
Why is the 777-300ERSF significant for the freighter market?
It is the first conversion programme for the 777-300ER type, making it a notable development in the wide-body converted freighter segment. Wide-body converted freighters are increasingly attractive to cargo carriers seeking additional capacity.
How does this deal affect freight forwarders?
Additional wide-body freighter capacity on long-haul trade lanes where China Southern Air Logistics operates can influence available space, rates and routing options. Forwarders with fast access to live rate comparisons across multiple carriers are better positioned to quote competitively when capacity and pricing conditions shift.
