Martinair Cargo’s MD-11CF, registered PH-MCT, represents a notable chapter in the airline’s long history of operating widebody freighters across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The MD-11CF variant, designed as a convertible freighter, allowed operators to configure the aircraft for either cargo or mixed passenger-cargo service. While Martinair used it primarily as a full freighter, the flexibility of the type made it valuable during shifting market conditions and seasonal demand.
PH-MCT entered service during a period when the MD-11 was still seen as a capable long-haul workhorse. The aircraft offered strong range, a generous cargo volume, and the ability to handle specialized freight. Martinair made good use of those strengths. From Amsterdam, its main hub at Schiphol, PH-MCT supported scheduled cargo routes to North America, especially Miami and various Latin American destinations. These routes often carried perishable goods, electronics, and flowers bound for major distribution centers. The MD-11’s payload capacity made it well suited for these long sectors.
The aircraft also operated on key lanes into Asia and the Middle East. Those flights served markets where demand for Dutch perishables and European manufactured goods remained consistently high. On the return legs, PH-MCT often carried consumer products, machinery, and occasionally live animals, reflecting Martinair’s broad customer base. The company built a reputation for reliability, and the MD-11 fleet was central to that image.
As a CF model, PH-MCT featured the reinforced main deck floor and large cargo door essential for handling containerized freight. The MD-11’s design allowed efficient loading and unloading, which helped keep turnaround times reasonable even at busy cargo hubs. Though the MD-11 required careful handling due to its landing characteristics and center-of-gravity considerations, Martinair’s crews were experienced with the type after many years of operation.
During its service life, PH-MCT also flew charter missions supporting relief efforts and one-off cargo movements. These flights showed how valuable the MD-11CF could be when flexibility mattered. Humanitarian cargo, oversized shipments, and time-critical loads were all part of the aircraft’s workload. The combination of range, cargo volume, and availability made it a practical solution for clients needing dependable long-haul lift outside of scheduled service.
By the early 2010s, the global shift toward more efficient twin-engine freighters, especially the Boeing 777F, changed the economics of operating tri-jet aircraft. Martinair eventually retired its MD-11 fleet as part of a broader restructuring. Even so, PH-MCT remained a recognizable aircraft at Schiphol and other major cargo airports until it left the fleet. Its years in service reflected the transitional era when the MD-11 still played a key role in global air freight.
Today, PH-MCT is remembered by enthusiasts and former Martinair staff as part of the carrier’s most active cargo period. The aircraft served reliably on long-haul routes, handled a wide mix of freight, and stood as a workhorse of the company’s operations. Its retirement marked the end of Martinair’s tri-jet chapter, closing a distinctive period in both the airline’s story and the broader history of European cargo aviation.
