Airbus launch partner Vallair is set to start the first A321 freighter conversion in China. The work will be undertaken for Vallair by EFW at the ST Engineering facility in Guangzhou, with the aircraft planned for delivery in the third quarter of next year to charter and ACMI operator SmartLynx. “We are excited to be embarking on the next phase of our A321 passenger to freighter conversion activity” says Gregoire Lebigot, CEO of Vallair. “MSN 1017 will be the first of nine aircraft … [Read more...] about A321 freighter conversions to start in China
MRO Conversions & Manufacturers
Kalitta Air gets dibs on ‘Big Twin’ freighter with GECAS Cargo deal
Last week GECAS Cargo announced a lease agreement with Kalitta Air for three 777-300ERSF aircraft, allowing the Michigan-based all-cargo airline to be the first operator of the new passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion. Dubbed “The Big Twin,” the 777-300ERSF will be the largest twin-engine freighter powered by the “most powerful in-service engine” GE90, which is expected to cut fuel burn by 20 percent compared to its quad engine counterparts like the 747-400F. As the only source of the … [Read more...] about Kalitta Air gets dibs on ‘Big Twin’ freighter with GECAS Cargo deal
More orders expected as first A321 converted freighter enters service
The first A321 freighter converted by ST Engineering-Airbus joint venture Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) has entered service with Qantas for Australia Post. The ‘head of version’ converted cargo aircraft started flights for Qantas on 27 October after it was re-delivered to owner and lessor Vallair back in September. “Both milestones marked the completion and birth of the world’s first A321 converted freighter,” said a press release. Also read: EFW secures launch contract for A321P2F … [Read more...] about More orders expected as first A321 converted freighter enters service
Pratt & Whitney pushes for GTF engine upgrades with dedicated website
Aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, a division of Raytheon Technologies, launched an enhanced website to showcase the GTF engine family. Pratt & Whitney’s growing maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) network can access the site’s new digital features, including an engine spotter’s guide, a multimedia gallery and an interactive route map highlighting the engine’s game-changing benefits. Pratt & Whitney estimates that its GTF engines have collectively saved customers … [Read more...] about Pratt & Whitney pushes for GTF engine upgrades with dedicated website
Scoot converts A320 passenger aircraft for cargo-only transport
Scoot modified one of its A320ceo passenger aircraft (9V-TAZ) to carry cargo only by removing all seats in the cabin, doubling its capacity to nearly 20 tonnes, a press release confirmed. The modified aircraft’s first cargo charter flight took off on 22 August from Fuzhou to Singapore. The aircraft transported a total of 13 tonnes of cargo in both the bellyhold and cabin, comprising mainly daily essentials, with four more flights scheduled for August. Scoot … [Read more...] about Scoot converts A320 passenger aircraft for cargo-only transport
Airbus strengthens position in Asia-Pacific aviation services market
While air traffic is doubling every 15 years in the world, the Asia-Pacific fleet is set to almost triple by 2036. For services, this translates into more than a third of the global MRO business coming from this region by 2036. This represents more than $660 billion – the sum total of the accumulated spending during the next two decades, and encompasses the following segments: Components; Line maintenance and Airframe base maintenance and Engine maintenance. Airbus predicts that the … [Read more...] about Airbus strengthens position in Asia-Pacific aviation services market