Boeing 747-400 Freighters Have Been Sold

The sale of four Boeing 747-400F Freighters has been closed, with China Airlines and Cargolux as the buyers, marking one of the largest shifts in a freight fleet in recent memory.

Valued at around USD 85 million, the transaction took effect on 23 June 2026 after Cargolux’s board gave its direct approval, following China Airlines’ board’s formal green light in November 2025.

The decision isn’t something new, either, aside from the November 2025 greenlight. Back in November 2023, China Airlines confirmed that it would sell five of the 747-400 Freighters to AMS Aircraft Services, manufactured between 2001 and 2003.

Bye Bye Boeing 747-400Fs

The four Boeing 747-400Fs being transferred were part of China Airlines Cargo’s fleet and, over the course of their operations, helped build the business into a strong position not just across the Transpacific but also in intra-Asia connectivity from Taiwan.

Relations with these Boeing 747s have been lengthy for the best part of two decades, with a pocketing of around USD 39 million, thanks to the disposal. While less than the jet’s original purchase price, this is still proof of value, even given their age.

The transaction saw the two companies come together to determine the price based on many factors, none more important than the prevailing market conditions, with both sides keen to strike the best possible balance that benefited both parties.

As a highly specialized cargo operator, Cargolux has had a long relationship with the 747 platform, and, as such, the purchase of additional freighters comes as no surprise and adds another lift to its overall operations and ability to meet e-commerce demand.

The business operates a large fleet of Boeing 747-400s. Also, it features the 747-8F, the last iteration of the queen of the skies jumbo jet and one of the closest next-generation freighter models in its operations.

Adding four more jets, even if the older 747-400s don’t do a whole lot to disrupt the overall operations or technical side, and thus, even if the opportunity presented itself, it was easy to move forward and finalize.

747 Departures Make Way For Modernisation Efforts

For China Airlines, the sale of four of its Boeing 747-400F jets to the Luxembourg-based cargo carrier is seen as an effort to raise additional funds and support modernisation efforts at the business. With fuel prices soaring and older aircraft facing logistical challenges such as age-related maintenance, China Airlines wants to cut its losses.

With that in mind, the removal of these 747s lowers the average age. It is part of a broader push to rely more heavily on newer-generation jets, which have lower operating costs, improving the bottom line and significantly enhancing environmental performance.

The China Airlines Cargo fleet now includes 10 Boeing 777Fs, which average 3.6 years. The 747-400 commitment has dramatically reduced, with 8 units to its name, 7 of which are active. Still, the historical figure of passenger and freight jets exceeds 30, with aircraft operating from the 1990s through to now, the freighters destined for Cargolux.

At the moment, China Airlines Cargo hasn’t purchased the true next-generation freighter model, either the A350F or the 777-8F, both of which have yet to launch formally. But building the freight fleet, for the moment, more heavily around the 777F is an efficient, short- to medium-term solution, given these jets average out at just 3 years and the latest delivery being in June 2024.