Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • AviaAM Leasing’s Boeing 747-400F commences Magma ops

Aerospace

AviaAM Leasing’s Boeing 747-400F commences Magma ops

AviaAM Leasing has announced the purchase of a Boeing 747-400F nose-loader aircraft which has already started commercial operations on behalf of Gatwick headquartered Magma Aviation.

Image courtesy Chapman Freeborn

The aircraft – which is a part of the Magma Aviation fleet – has been recently painted in the Magma Aviation livery with the new addition of the Avia Solutions Group logo.

The aircraft has already accomplished its first commercial cargo flight on 4th August 2020.

Tom Helyar, General Manager at Magma Aviation, which designs and delivers bespoke air cargo transport solutions anywhere in the world said: “We are very excited to add this new B747-400F to our fleet, bringing the total number of aircraft to four.

Advertisement
ODU RT

“The benefits of a factory-built freighter, is that it offers greater capability for over-length and heavy cargo, overcoming the constraints of a converted side-door only B747. Added to this, the aircraft has a significantly higher payload – 121 tons compared to 105 tons - and a higher performance range.”

Tadas Goberis, Chief Executive Officer of AviaAM Leasing added: “The service agreement between AviaAM and Magma Aviation is first of a kind for a freighter of such scale in our fleet. This acquisition is of a great importance for AviaAM further strengthening our position as a reliable and world-class leasing services provider, stepping into cargo aircraft market.”

Magma believes the new aircraft, with a capacity of 570 cubic metres for cargo, will help to attract new clients, opening opportunities for new routes and aid long-term expansion plans.

Tom Helyar added: “This aircraft gives us extra capacity and underlines our ambitious plans for growth. We see it as a bold move for the future for us, for the group and for our strategic partner Air Atlanta Icelandic (AAI).”

Established in 2010, Magma Aviation has grown to become a recognised specialist air cargo management company. Magma Aviation is a Chapman Freeborn company and a family member of Avia Solutions Group. With a fleet of four B747-400 freighter aircraft, Magma currently operates a combination of regular charter programmes and own-controlled capacity globally with further onward air and road services available from its complimentary hubs, whilst providing value-added services, including warehouse-to-warehouse cargo solutions. In addition to its primary services, Magma also provides ad hoc charter solutions for the worldwide delivery of general cargo, perishables, live animals, outsize cargo, relief supplies, hazardous substances, energy industry cargo and more.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Magma Aviation is a family member of Avia Solutions Group, the largest aerospace business group from Central & Eastern Europe with 83 offices and production stations providing aviation services and solutions worldwide.

 

 

Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner
Airbus

Aerospace

Airbus' A350-1000ULR completes first test flight

2 June 2026

The world's longest-range aircraft, the A350-1000ULR (MSN 707) and the first of 12 aircraft ordered by Qantas, has completed its first flight in Toulouse, France.

Drones help restore Peak District ravine woodlands

Aerospace

Drones help restore Peak District ravine woodlands

2 June 2026

A pioneering drone seed-spreading trial has taken to the skies above the Peak District, as the 'LIFE in the Ravines' project led by Natural England explores innovative new ways to restore precious ravine woodlands devastated by ash dieback disease.

SAM NI completes £10m facility expansion

Aerospace

SAM NI completes £10m facility expansion

2 June 2026

Portadown based precision engineering firm SAM NI has completed a £10 million expansion of its manufacturing facility marking a major milestone in the company’s growth as a manufacturer of high-precision aerospace components and assemblies.

Omnisense and 42T partner on resilient drone landing system

Aerospace Defence Security

Omnisense and 42T partner on resilient drone landing system

1 June 2026

Omnisense, which specialises in terrestrial positioning technology, has partnered with 42 Technology (42T) to demonstrate a safer autonomous drone landing system when satellite navigation signals are unreliable.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Thompson showcases VantageXL for Discover Airlines at Red Cabin Summit

Aerospace Events

Thompson showcases VantageXL for Discover Airlines at Red Cabin Summit

1 June 2026

Craigavon based Thompson Aero Seating (TAS) will today be showcasing its customised VantageXL seat for Discover Airlines’ A330s for the very first time at the Red Cabin / Aircraft Cabin Innovation Summit Europe, being held 1st-3rd June at Lufthansa Seeheim, Germany.

ZeroAvia begins leadership transition

Aerospace

ZeroAvia begins leadership transition

29 May 2026

ZeroAvia today announced that founder and Chief Executive Officer Val Miftakhov has stepped down as CEO, effective 26th May 2026, to pursue new opportunities.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
General Atomics LB