Originally Posted by sailingfun

Delta management in several online discussions over the last year has stated the freight operation has been losing money and is not profitable. This was before the lastest meltdown. I don't think the freighters have been making big money in the last few years. It is my understanding that we do not have any freight CRAF contracts. We do have CRAF contracts for moving troops. Both the DAL side and the NWA side have ongoing contracts. The contracts are not aircraft specific. I understand NWA has kept 2 747-200's in a passenger configuration that they use for CFAF troop flights. Delta uses a variety of aircraft for the contracts as the flights come up. The head of Delta maintenance was asked about 6 months how long the 200's would be flying and he replied that it was his understanding they would be retired shortly. This was of course before the big drop in fuel. Lets hope that the drop in fuel has made them rethink this and they will attempt to find another market where the aircraft can make money.