"Good News" for Atlas Air
Yah, they looked that good because they ARE OWNED by AAWW!
The GSS op was 49% Atlas Air, 51% British Air (Operational Control requirement).
There should be understanding here as that, AAWW gained significant "Foreign Earned US Tax Credits with the British operation! (Corp Tax code within US under review and vy likely to change.)
With conclusion of the flying club at GSS, AAWW will better use the ACs as the EU econ improves and continuing expansion of the US economy.
The 3 GSS 748 assignments was a good equipment transitory plan [top line, bottom line, and as a lender financing tool (200>400>8)] for the AAWW corp.
Risk here is depending upon controlled ongoing expansionary monetary policies and restrained inflation within CH and EU.
Keep in mind: although the 748 has 4 engs (JET A prices are low near term and going lower) it is A VERY ADAPTIVE AC for far more biz models.
The B777F DOES NOT accommodate outsized loads (No Nose Loading). Though it is good for long thin fixed routes, it is not that adaptive.
Good olde UPS could have used all three of these AAWW ACs under contract for this past "Amazon Chaos" Christmas!
It cost UPS dearly with the lack of additional seasonal assigned lift.
Good luck to the BA pilots who worked at GSS and formerly retired BA age 55. The party is over, I guess. Welcome to the real world! The world of an "aged", retired, unemployed old pilots!
Key to all this: be ADAPTIVE, as the mainline crew at Atlas Air have been.
"Cheers!",
MoJo