Airbus Updates No.3785

 

Latvia's SmartLynx Airlines orders six A321(P2F)s

SmartLynx Malta A321-200(F) (DHL Livery)© SmartLynx

21.02.2022 - 08:10 UTC

SmartLynx Airlines (6Y, Riga) has ordered another six A321-200(P2F)s from Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) as part of plans to expand its operations on behalf of DHL Express.

"We are delighted to work with EFW towards our goal of becoming the largest operator of A321 cargo freighters, as we are convinced that this type of aircraft will become the top choice for customers globally," Chief Executive Zygimantas Surintas said.

The six aircraft will undergo conversion with ST Engineering at its Singapore Seletar and Guangzhou sites in 2022 and 2023. EFW is a joint venture between Airbus and ST Engineering.

SmartLynx Airlines confirmed to ch-aviation that all six newly ordered A321-200(P2F)s would be placed on the AOC of SmartLynx Airlines Malta. The carrier also clarified that it would not confirm at this stage if the six aircraft would operate for DHL Express, even though EFW's press statement suggested that.

The ch-aviation fleets advanced module shows that currently, both of SmartLynx's dedicated freighters - one A321-200(P2F) and one A321-200(PCF) - are operated by the Maltese unit which also operates six A330-300 preighters.

Three of SmartLynx Airlines' A321-200s were ferried to Guangzhou for conversion in late 2021 under an earlier deal with EFW. A fourth, covered by the earlier agreement, remains parked at San Antonio Int'l but will enter conversion later this year. The newly ordered six units are incremental.

Both SmartLynx A321 freighters operate on behalf of DHL's EAT Leipzig on services connecting the integrator's hub at Leipzig/Halle with Linz and Brescia.

Airbus Updates No.3369

 

321 Precision Conversions set to begin A321(PCF) deliveries

SmartLynx Malta A321-200(F) (DHL Livery) Rendering© SmartLynx

05.05.2021 - 08:05 UTC

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued, on April 28, 2021, a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) to 321 Precision Conversions, a joint venture of Air Transport Services Group and Precision Aircraft Solutions, for its A321-200(P2F) variant paving the way for delivery to launch operator SmartLynx Airlines Malta (LYX, Malta Int'l) and the ramp-up of conversions.

"Our goal was to rejuvenate the world’s cargo aircraft fleet with next-generation efficient and economical fly-by-wire aircraft; to produce an A321 freighter designed to be the best choice for the mission. We have done that. With huge backlogs of newly manufactured neo aircraft poised to enter Global passenger service and a thousand MAX jets entering service, the feedstock to support modern and efficient freighter conversions is now available to meet the needs of a burgeoning air freight market," ATSG President and CEO Rich Corrado said.

STC #ST02716SE exclusively covers aircraft powered by CFM International CFM56 engines.

The first A321-200 converted by 321 Precision Conversions, N322WS (msn 891), is owned by Vallair and has been under conversion and certification at Orlando Sanford since 2017. The aircraft operated its last proving flight on February 26, 2021, and has since been parked at the Floridan airport, Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows. It is set for delivery to SmartLynx Airlines Malta as its first dedicated freighter, operating under a long-term contract with DHL Express.

321 Precision Conversions is the second entity to receive the STC for its A321-200(PCF). Elbe Flugzeugwerke, a joint venture of Airbus and ST Engineering, certified its variant in September 2020 and has already delivered three aircraft, including two to Titan Airways and one to Express Freighters Australia (operating as Qantas Freight).

Airbus Updates No.3059

 

DHL Express and SmartLynx Malta partner to break new ground in cargo transportation

24.02.2021

• Companies announce signing of a new partnership agreement
• SmartLynx Malta will support Express Division of Deutsche Post DHL Group with two Airbus A321-200 freighter aircraft
• The fuel-efficient aircraft is the most technologically advanced and environmentally efficient aircraft in its class
  
  

 

DHL Express, the world’s leading express service provider, and SmartLynx Malta announce the signing of a new partnership agreement for the introduction of two newly converted Airbus A321-200 freighters joining DHL’s European air fleet.  The new technically advanced narrow-body fleet type is adding capacity to meet the increasing demand for express cargo transportation worldwide combined with further improving DHL’s unit Co2 emissions by introducing the most fuel efficient narrow-body aircraft in its class. .  

 

SmartLynx is a family member of Avia Solutions Group, the  largest aerospace business group from Central & Eastern Europe, and has extensive experience operating the A321 family of aircraft. This agreement sets a new hallmark as SmartLynx’s Malta subsidiary enters into the freighter market.

 

“We at DHL pride ourselves as the global industry pioneer when it comes to introducing new generation conversion freighter types to the market” says Geoff Kehr, Senior Vice President Global Air Fleet Management at DHL Express. “Continually modernizing our fleet with the most efficient and reliable cargo aircraft produced is vital to our success. Having led the world with the A330-300P2F development and successful implementation, it is only natural we would follow on by adding the smaller A321 family aircraft to our global freighter fleet”.

 

The partnership comes as both a confirmation and a recognition of SmartLynx Malta’s standing in the aviation industry, and its place in supporting the growing demand for air cargo capacity.  Increasing demand for e-commerce shipments and also highly important protective and medical goods, require additional air cargo capacity. The fuel-efficient Airbus A321-200 achieves superior unit reductions in CO2 emissions compared to similar class freighter models.  By investing in these aircraft, SmartLynx Malta illustrates its commitment towards embracing a future focused on cleaner, more sustainable air freight carriage.

 

 “We are pleased to share the news about the latest addition to our client portfolio. By supporting DHL with two freighter units, our partner is advancing their readiness to respond to a growing air cargo demand”, says Zygimantas Surintas, CEO of SmartLynx Malta. “We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all of the DHL team for their belief that we are both willing and capable of providing the highest-class product in keeping with their expectations. This development is a substantial step forward in our strategic plans for the future. DHL is a leading air transport capacity, and having strong partnerships is a decisive factor to growing our business even further and in a cleaner, more sustainable manner."

 

Smartlynx Malta is planning to add two additional A321Fs during 2021 and up to four units during 2022, with a business target of becoming one of the largest narrow-body cargo freight carriers within the next three years.