Airbus Updates No.4378

 Azul receives first Airbus A321P2F freighter

Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras (AD, São Paulo Viracopos) has taken the delivery of its first A321-200(P2F), ch-aviation research has revealed, and expects to induct it into scheduled service during the first quarter of 2025.

PS-AJA (msn 2741), formerly OE-IAW, was ferried to Belo Horizonte Tancredo Neves from Jinan via Samarkand, Malta International, and Sal Amilcar Cabral International between October 15 and 16, ADS-B data shows. It has a capacity to carry up to 27 tonnes in 14 pallet positions; it was converted to a freighter by Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH. "This aircraft will significantly increase our operational efficiency, integrating perfectly into our network and bringing more agility to our customers throughout Brazil," said Daniel Tkacz, the airline's vice president of operations.

The Brazilian carrier expects to add a second A321(P2F), OE-ICC (msn 2759), and soon to be PS-AJB. It is currently in Guangzhou. In a statement, Azul Cargo Express said this airframe will arrive in Brazil in November.

Both airframes are owned and managed by AerCap. They were delivered originally to China Southern Airlines (CZ, Guangzhou) in 2006.

Airbus Updates No.4321

Azul to replace its B737-400Fs with Airbus A321P2Fs

According to Brazilian aviation news site Aeroflap, Azul is set to replace its duo of Boeing B737-400SFs with two Airbus A321-200P2Fs. Both aircraft are currently in final stages of conversion at Guangzhou and will become PS-AJA (2741) and PS-AJB (2759). 

As the leases of the B737s are expiring, Azul is bringing the Airbuses on board to standardise its operations as the airline is already a major Airbus-operator.

Azul currently operates a fleet that is made-up of 40 ATR72-600s, 51 A320neos, six A321neos, four A330-200s, seven A330-900s, 22 Embraer E195-E2s, 39 ERJ195s and four ERJ195s that are in use as a "phreighter", a passenger-aircraft in use for cargo-flights.

Photo by Azul.

Airbus Updates No.4250

Royal Jordanian welcomes 1st Airbus A321P2F

On 21 March 2024, Royal Jordanian welcomed its first Airbus A321P2F (Passenger-to-Freighter) at Amman. The aircraft is registered JY-RAZ (3926) and flew passengers for British Airways before it was converted.

Royal Jordanian is using its new Airbus to expand its cargo operations and has set its eyes on a converted A330 to replace its sole A310-300F, which has been stored at Amman since July 2023.

The airline is busy renewing its fleet and has selected the Airbus A320neo-family and Embraer E2, as well as ordering additional Boeing B787s to do so. In January 2024, the airline took delivery of its first two E195-E2s.

Photo by Royal Jordanian Airlines.

Airbus Updates No.4173

 

Spain's Swiftair to add two A321-200(P2F)s

© Lufthansa Cargo PR

14.12.2023 - 12:58 UTC

Swiftair (WT, Madrid Barajas) has signed a lease agreement with AerCap to add two converted A321-200(P2F)s in the second quarter of 2024.

"In line with our commitment towards more efficient and sustainable growth, we are delighted to be taking delivery of two of the most quiet and economical freighter aircraft in the world today. These aircraft mark a milestone in our fleet renewal program, allowing our customers to meet their carbon reduction targets and access to the most effective and reliable products in their class, available in the market today," Chief Executive Salvador Moreno said.

The aircraft will be converted by Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) at the ST Engineering Aerospace facility at Singapore Seletar airport. The deliveries are scheduled for April and June 2024.

AerCap ordered fifteen A321-200 conversions from EFW in 2022. The lessor currently manages two A321 freighters: an A321-200(P2F) leased to IndiGo Airlines (6E, Delhi International) and an A321-200(PCF) due for Sichuan Airlines (3U, Chengdu Shuangliu), according to the ch-aviation fleets ownership module.

Swiftair's fleet currently comprises five ATR42-300(F)s, one ATR72-200, six ATR72-200(F)s, six ATR72-500(F)s, three ATR72-500(QC)s, one B737-300(F), one B737-400(F), nine B737-400(SF)s, three B737-800(BCF)s, four B737-800(BDSF)s, two B757-200(PCF), one B757-200PF, three EMB-120RT(F)s, and one EMB-120RT(QC).

Airbus Updates No.4145

 

Yamato Transport welcomes 1st Airbus A321P2F

On 6 November 2023, Yamato Transport welcomed its first converted Airbus A321 in Japan. A321P2F F-WTAX (4173) arrived at Tokyo-Narita from Singapore-Seletar where the aircraft was converted. It was previously in use with Qatar Airways as A7-AIA.

It will be registered as JA81YA and will be operated by Spring Airlines, a Japan Airlines-subsidiary. In January 2022, JAL and Yamato announced the establishment of a joint-venture cargo airline to support the growing e-commerce business of Yamato. Two more A321P2Fs will follow shortly and will, initially, fly domestic services from both Tokyo-Haneda and -Narita to Chitose, Kitakyushu, Naha and Sapporo.

Airbus Updates No.4058

 

MNG Airlines adds first A321-200(P2F)

© Lufthansa Cargo PR

06.07.2023 - 08:51 UTC

MNG Airlines (MB, Istanbul Airport) has taken delivery of its first narrowbody freighter, an A321-200(P2F), and plans to take a second of the type "in the near future".

TC-MYA (msn 3369) was converted at Singapore Seletar by ST Engineering. It was ferried via Delhi International and Erzurum to Istanbul Airport over the course of June 30-July 1, 2023, Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows. It has yet to be deployed into revenue service. The 15.5-year-old jet was formerly in passenger service with Qatar Airways (QR, Doha Hamad International) and Cathay Pacific (CX, Hong Kong International).

The aircraft joins MNG Airlines' all-widebody fleet comprising one A300-600F, three A300-600R(F)s, one A330-200F, and two A330-300(P2F).

The cargo specialist, which is in the process of listing on the New York Stock Exchange via a reverse IPO, did not respond to ch-aviation's request for comment regarding its future fleet plans.

Airbus Updates No.4046

 

Türkiye's BBN Airlines takes first A321-200(P2F)

© Lufthansa Cargo PR

21.06.2023 - 07:28 UTC

BBN Airlines (Türkiye) (B5, Antalya) took delivery of its first A321-200(P2F) on June 17, 2023, and said it would induct it into revenue service "shortly".

VP-CTN (msn 2005) was ferried after conversion at Singapore Seletar to Istanbul Atatürk, via Chennai and Dubai World Central. It will now undergo final pre-induction maintenance.

The Turkish ACMI/charter specialist, launched earlier this year, currently operates four passenger A321-200s placed, two each, with fellow Turkish charter specialists Freebird Airlines and Tailwind Airlines. The airline's plan was to launch with a focus on the passenger market and subsequently expand into the cargo sector. BBN Airlines (Türkiye) is affiliated with Bluebird Nordic - soon to be rebranded as BBN Airlines Nordic - itself a subsidiary of Avia Solutions Group. While Bluebird operates an all-Boeing fleet of freighters, the holding's fleet includes converted A321 freighters operated by SmartLynx Airlines and SmartLynx Airlines Malta.

Airbus Updates No.4008

SmartLynx Airlines adds first A321-200(P2F)

SmartLynx Airlines Airbus A321-200(P2F)© SmartLynx Airlines

22.05.2023 - 14:35 UTC

SmartLynx Airlines (6Y, Riga) has taken delivery of its first A321-200(P2F), becoming the second SmartLynx AOC to employ the type.

YL-LDP (msn 1241), a 23-year-old jet owned by Aero Capital Solutions and formerly run in passenger configuration by Finnair (AY, Helsinki Vantaa), was redelivered from Guangzhou via Kolkata and Burgas to Kaunas on March 30-April 1, 2023. It then underwent maintenance at Kaunas and Riga airport, before being re-inducted into the carrier's fleet in mid-May 2023. It was ferried from Riga to Leipzig/Halle on May 19, 2023, but has yet to begin commercial operations, ADS-B data shows.

"As we reintroduce the A321-200 freighter to the world, we are confident that it is poised to lead the future of cargo operations. To start, its exceptional fuel efficiency makes it the most sustainable choice in the cargo market today. Direct operational costs for A321F are up to 30% lower compared to the classic B757-200 and B737 freighters, making it the most cost-effective option for our clients. In addition, due to the popularity of the A320 family, we are committed to providing efficient and fast maintenance for our fleet," CEO Zygimantas Surintas said.

Sister carrier SmartLynx Airlines Malta (LYX, Malta International) already operates two A321-200(P2F)s and four A321-200(PCF)s, the ch-aviation fleets advanced module shows, with plans to operate at least 13 converted freighters by the end of 2023 and lease another four in 2024.

The ACMI/charter specialists passenger fleet comprises twenty-nine A320-200s, eight A321-200s, six A330-300s, and four B737-8s across its AOCs in Latvia, Estonia, and Malta. 

Airbus Updates No.3921

GlobalX welcomes 1st freighter

On 24 January 2022, GlobalX welcomed its first freighter aircraft. Arriving at its base at Miami (FL) from Kansas City (MO) on this date was newly converted Airbus A321-231P2F N410GX (1199). The Airbus was previously flying passengers for Ural Airlines.

The aircraft is the first of fifteen converted A321P2Fs the airline has committed to. GlobalX is planning to operate its own cargo flights but will also provide Aircraft, Maintenance, Crew and Insurance (ACMI)-operations for third parties. Last May, it signed a contract with Avianca in which GlobalX is to operate five A321P2Fs for the carrier from Colombia.

Next to the freighters, GlobalX is currently operating a fleet of one A319, six A320s and two A321s. The company is also looking into leasing ten Boeing B717-200s. Originally, the original plan was to welcome the first B717 in October 2022 but that never happened. What the status of these plans are is unknown.

Airbus Updates No.3868

 

JAL Group outlines A321 freighter network from 2Q24

Jetstar Japan A321F (Yamato Livery)© Yamato Holdings

28.11.2022 - 03:07 UTC

JAL Group has outlined its A321-200(P2F) network to be operated by subsidiary Spring (IJ, Tokyo Narita) for door-to-door delivery company Yamato Holdings Co., Ltd from April 2024 using four of the converted freighters.

In a statement dated November 22, 2022, the JAL Group said three of the aircraft had been delivered with the fourth due in February 2023. The conversion process is scheduled to begin in March 2023 at the Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH (EFW) facility in Singapore.

Yamato handles around 1.8 billion parcels annually and services the entirety of Japan. The four freighters will wear Yamato livery. The JAL Group says the decision to use Spring as the operating airline, rather than Jetstar Japan (GK, Tokyo Narita), will optimize management resources and strengthen the low-cost carrier's business model. The four routes, which will run 21x daily, are:

• Okinawa Naha - Kitakyushu;
• Tokyo Narita - Okinawa Naha;
• Tokyo Narita/Tokyo Haneda - Sapporo Chitose; and
• Tokyo Narita/Tokyo Haneda - Kitakyushu.

Yamato advises the maximum payload on each aircraft will be 28 tonnes. The main deck of each plane will accommodate 14 AAY containers and the lower deck will accommodate ten AKH containers. The joint venture remains subject to application and approval from the relevant authorities.

Airbus Updates No.3854

 

SalamAir debuts freighter operations

SalamAir A321P2F© SalamAir

09.11.2022 - 05:00 UTC

SalamAir (OV, Muscat) deployed ts first A321-200(P2F) into revenue service on November 1, 2022.

A4O-OCA (msn 1994) is a 19.5-year-old aircraft last in passenger service with Eurowings. It was converted at Amman Queen Alia and ferried to Oman on October 19, 2022. The ch-aviation schedules module shows that the Omani LCC will deploy the freighter out of Muscat to Dubai World Central (2x weekly), Istanbul New, and Khartoum (weekly each).

SalamAir said that the induction of the freighter fits into Oman's vision of making Muscat a regional logistics hub, but did not reveal whether it has plans to add any more freighters. The LCC also operates six A320-200Ns, two A321-200Ns, and two A321-200NX. The airline is majority-owned by the state-owned Muscat National Development and Investment Company.

Airbus Updates No.3828

AerCap orders A321P2Fs

Lessor AerCap has announced on 13 October 2022 that it has signed an agreement with Elbe Flugzeugwerke -EFW for the conversion of fifteen Airbus A321-200s into freighters, the A321-200P2F. Next to this firm order, the company also took options on another fifteen conversion slots.

The fifteen Airbuses are coming from AerCap's own portfolio and will be converted between 2023 and 2025. First delivery and entry into commercial service with a customer of the lessor is also planned for 2023. If AerCap already has placed the aircraft with an airline is currently unknown.

Airbus Updates No.3797

 Teleport to add Airbus A321P2F aircraft

Capital A, the holding company owning AirAsia (X) and Teleport, has announced it has signed a lease-agreement with lessor BBAM for the delivery of three  Airbus A321P2Fs (Passenger-to-Freighter). The aircraft are set to be delivered from the first quarter of 2023.

The three A321P2Fs will join Teleport's single Boeing B737-800BCF, which is operated by K-Mile Air from Thailand. It's expected, however, that the Airbuses will be operated by AirAsia for the cargo airline.

Teleport launched it's dedicated cargo-flying operations in November last year to boost the company's e-commerce logistics operations. It expects to grow to a fleet of 100 freighters by 2030 if the e-commerce boom continues.

Airbus Updates No.3780

Photo: Lufthansa Cargo

Lufthansa Cargo to double its fleet of A321 Freighters

Lufthansa will take delivery of a second Airbus A321-200P2F converted freighter in October. The aircraft (msn 1988, D-AEUA), is currently in the final stages of its conversion at Singapore-Seletar. The ex-Laudamotion Airbus will join the sole Airbus A321-200P2F currently flying for Lufthansa Cargo, msn 3504, with registration D-AEUC (also a former Laudamotion one), which entered service already last March. Both aircraft will be based at Lufthansa Cargo’s Frankfurt hub and are operated by Lufthansa's regional subsidiary Lufthansa CityLine under a wet-lease agreement.

Lufthansa Cargo plans to double its narrowbody freighter fleet and grow to four A321-200P2Fs, as it will lease two additional A321-freighters from San Francisco-based BBAM. These two aircraft are currently scheduled to join Lufthansa Cargo's fleet in the first half of 2023.

Lufthansa Cargo operates the A321-200P2F to destinations like Istanbul, Tel Aviv, Malta, Cairo, Tunis, Manchester and Dublin. With the additional A321-freighters it hopes to expand its European network with destinations like Madrid, Birmingham and London, while Istanbul and Tel Aviv will see additional frequencies. Until recently, Lufthansa Cargo only operated wide body long-haul freighters. 

Airbus Updates No.3771

 

Qantas Freight to replace B737s with A321 freighters

Qantas Freight Airbus A321 Freighter© Vallair

16.08.2022 - 00:09 UTC

Qantas Group has selected six converted A321-200(P2F)s to replace its ageing fleet of B737 freighters operated by subsidiary Express Freighters Australia (QE, Sydney Kingsford Smith) under the Qantas Freight brand.

The airline said the six aircraft would be sourced on the open market and converted. Deliveries are expected between 2024 and 2026.

"Qantas Freight has been one of the standout performers for the Group during the pandemic as Australians rapidly shifted to online shopping. While some of that shift is temporary, demand remains well above pre-pandemic levels even with the lifting of almost all COVID-related restrictions. The first three A321P2F have been a fantastic addition to our fleet, and operating a single-type of narrowbody aircraft in the future will enable us to generate further operational efficiencies and significantly reduce emissions per tonne of freight flown," Qantas Group Chief Executive Alan Joyce said.

Express Freighters Australia currently operates four B737-300(F)s, which are 35.7 years old on average, and a single 32.2-year-old B737-300(SF). Another -400(SF) is operated by independent ACMI/charter specialist Airwork Flight Operations (PST, Auckland Int'l), the ch-aviation fleets advanced module shows.

With its current fleet of three A321-200(P2F)s, Express Freighters Australia is the world's largest operator of the type. Two of the three were sourced from sister carrier Jetstar Airways (JQ, Melbourne Tullamarine), while the third is ex-Onur Air (8Q, Istanbul New) stock. While Qantas (QF, Sydney Kingsford Smith) does not operate any A321-200s, Jetstar Airways operates six.

Qantas Freight's fleet, which is fully sourced from other operators under ACMI and CMI contracts, also comprises one B747-400FSCD, two B747-8Fs, one B767-300F, one BAe 146-200(QC), one BAe 146-200(QT), six BAe 146-300(QT)s, and two Saab 340A(F)s.

Airbus Updates No.3762

 

Vietnam Airlines to add two converted A321 freighters

Vietnam Airlines Airbus A321-200© Tis Meyer / PlanePics.org

11.08.2022 - 01:23 UTC

Vietnam Airlines (VN, Hanoi) will enter the dedicated freighter market, having signed a commitment with Air Transport Services Group for the sale, P2F conversion, and lease-back of two A321-200s.

"We are acquiring two A321s from them. We're converting them to freighters, and we're leasing them back to them," ATSG's Chief Executive and President Rich Corrado said during the holding's quarterly earnings call.

Chief Commercial Officer Mike Berger added that the aircraft will redeliver to Vietnam Airlines in 2023. ATSG did not reveal the STC to be used.

The ch-aviation fleets advanced module shows that Vietnam Airlines operates forty-eight A321-200s, of which all but three are owned by the carrier. The airline is in the process of a gradual rollover to an A320neo Family narrowbody fleet. According to its Request for Proposals from January 2022, the two converted A321-200s will be of 2007 vintage of which six of the carrier's A321s were built in that year. Vietnam Airlines did not respond to ch-aviation's request for specific identification of the two airframes.

The Vietnamese flag carrier does not currently operate any dedicated freighters.

The ch-aviation fleets ownership module shows that ATSG's in-house lessor unit, Cargo Aircraft Management, owns 114 aircraft, more than half of which - 74 units - are leased to the holding's own carriers ABX Air, ATI - Air Transport International, and Omni Air International. The remainder is placed with various cargo carriers around the world. Last year, ATSG executed a similar sale/lease-back transaction involving P2F conversion with Air Canada (AC, Montréal Trudeau), buying two of its B767-300(ER)s and redelivering them as B767-300(ERBDSF)s.

The lessor focuses on the B767 and B777 Families and owns a small portfolio of narrowbody aircraft, comprising four B757-200(C)s placed with ATI and four A321-200s under conversion (two have been earmarked for Malaysia's Raya Airways (TH, Kuala Lumpur Subang)).

Airbus Updates No.3759

 

US's GLOBALX to convert in-house A321 into a freighter

Illustration of GLOBALX Airbus A321-200F© GLOBALX

04.08.2022 - 17:49 UTC

GLOBALX (G6, Miami Int'l) has signed an agreement with Icelease to convert one of the carrier's A321-200s into a freighter by April 2024. It is the the American charter specialist's first in-house conversion.

N277GX (msn 2480) is GLOBALX's only A321-200 and is currently deployed on charter routes out of Miami Int'l, configured for up to 183 passengers. It will enter P2F conversion into an A321-200(PCF) in October 2023 with Precision Aircraft Solutions. As a part of the transaction, GLOBALX helped arrange the sale of the aircraft by the previous lessor, Magnetic Leasing, to Icelease. The aircraft will be leased to GLOBALX after conversion for at least eight years.

GLOBALX has ambitious plans to generate 50% of its revenue from dedicated freighter operations by 2025. By that time, it aims to have half of its 50-strong fleet to be freighters, but thus far has only sourced aircraft from third parties. Its current fleet comprises six A320-200s and the sole A321-200 in passenger configuration, but a further three A320s and the first two converted A321s are scheduled to deliver by the end of 2022. It has so far signed for fourteen A321-200 converted freighters (including the newly announced deal) through 2024, with tentative commitments for another seven units.

GLOBALX plans to operate freighters not just through its American mainline but also using the newly established Latin American subsidiaries: Global X Colombia and Ecuador's LATINX Air. The airline also plans to add converted A330s.

Airbus Updates No.3699

 

Asia Cargo Network eyes A321, A330 freighters

Illustration of Airbus A330-300F© Airbus

19.05.2022 - 03:47 UTC

Although Asia Cargo Network has tentatively agreed to add two P2F converted A321-200s, it will continue to monitor the current market environment, including fuel prices and the impact of the war in Ukraine, before finalising the deal, Chief Executive Marko Isaak told Cargo Facts.

The Singapore-based group, which controls World Cargo Airlines in Malaysia and Asia Cargo Airlines and Black Stone Airlines in Indonesia, could take the first A321 freighter in July 2022 and the second one in September. The group is also engaged in "serious negotiations" with an existing A330 operator in Asia to add its first converted widebody freighters, although Isaak did not provide any further details.

He added that the group will also grow its B737-800 freighter fleet, with around five set to join its fleet in the next two years. He did not specify on which AOC(s) they would be placed, however.

Malaysia's World Cargo Airlines (formerly Asia Cargo Express) recently doubled its B737-800(BCF) fleet to two units. It also operates one B737-300(F) and one B737-400(F), the ch-aviation fleets advanced module shows. In turn, Indonesia's Asia Cargo Airlines operates five B737-300(F)s and Black Stone Airlines - two units of the type. Isaak said the B737 Classic freighters continue to offer great economics for cargo runs between Indonesia's numerous islands.

The group's spokesperson did not respond to ch-aviation's query about its A321 and A330 freighter plans.

Although Asia Cargo Network is heavily centred on cargo operations, Black Stone Airlines plans to add up to four A330-900s for passenger charters, focused on the Hajj/Umrah operations.

Airbus Updates No.3809

 

Lufthansa Cargo begins A321P2F-operations

On 15 March 2022, Lufthansa Cargo has launched its A321P2F-operations, with D-AEUC (3504), flying from Frankfurt to Dublin and Manchester. Later, the carrier plans to also deploy the aircraft to Cairo, Istanbul, Malta, Tel Aviv and Tunis. A second A321P2F is planned to arrive later this year.

Lufthansa Cargo took delivery of the aircraft on 30 January after being converted at Singapore-Seletar. The duo of A321P2Fs are operated by Lufthansa CityLine and supports Lufthansa Cargo's expansion in the e-commerce market.

Airbus Updates No.3808

 

Malaysia's Raya Airways to add first A321-200(PCF)s

Raya Airways fleet© Raya Airways

15.03.2022 - 03:57 UTC

Raya Airways (TH, Kuala Lumpur Subang) is planning to add at least three A321-200(PCF) converted freighters, with the first two due for delivery in 2022, lessor Air Transport Services Group told Cargo Facts.

The first of the trio will be N982CM (msn 1972), an 18.9-year-old aircraft formerly operated by Thomas Cook Airlines UK. It has already been inducted into conversion by PEMCO at Tampa Int'l. The aircraft is owned by ATSG's in-house lessor arm, Cargo Aircraft Management. The second aircraft, expected to convert later this year, will be N983CM (msn 1887).

Raya Airways currently operates one B737-400(SF), one B767-200(BDSF), and two B767-200(SF)s. All three B767s are on lease from Cargo Aircraft Management, while the B737 is owned by Vallair, the ch-aviation fleets ownership module shows. The Malaysian cargo specialist retired its last B757-200(PCF) last year, but announced growth plans in early 2022.

The lessor said it saw potential for more A321s placements with Raya Airways.