A321

Vietnam Airlines to start freighter unit, convert A321s to cargo jets

A teal-colored Vietnam Airlines jet lifts off from runway.

Vietnam Airlines plans to send used passenger planes to Air Transport Services Group for conversion into cargo jets as it prepares to create a freighter division and capture more intra-Asia freight growth, the U.S.-based company disclosed Friday.

The small deal is noteworthy on two levels. It is another example of passenger airlines moving more aggressively to take advantage of cargo opportunities triggered by the pandemic. And it reinforces how ATSG, the largest lessor of freighter aircraft, is...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/vietnam-airlines-to-start-freighter-unit-convert-a321s-to-cargo-jets

Demand for freighters spurs investment in new airframe conversions

Close up of white cargo jet, front end, in flight

When the pandemic halted most international and domestic air travel, shippers that depended on passenger aircraft to move freight around the world had to quickly come up with alternative strategies. To complicate matters, consumers shifted buying habits from brick-and-mortar stores to e-commerce, putting more pressure on the air cargo segment for its ability to meet the ever-growing consumer expectation of speedy delivery. Without being able to rely on the cargo capacity provided by passenger...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/demand-for-freighters-spurs-investment-in-new-airframe-conversions

ATSG’s airline maintenance subsidiary remains competitive amid bow wave of demand

Airline maintenance facilities across the globe are still weathering the fallout from reduced passenger travel at the pandemic’s outset. For well over a year, until domestic passenger travel numbers returned to normal, a majority of airlines parked aircraft in the arid climates of states like Arizona and New Mexico. 

Maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities like Airborne Maintenance and Engineering Services (Airborne) then pivoted from their usual equal mix of passenger and freighter...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/atsgs-airline-maintenance-subsidiary-remains-competitive-amid-bow-wave-of-demand

A321 conversion expected to penetrate European market, compete with 757s and 737s

In April, the Federal Aviation Administration awarded a Supplemental Type Certificate for 321 Precision Conversions ⁠— a joint venture between Air Transport Services Group (ATSG) and Oregon-based, Precision Aircraft Solutions. 

Two of ATSG’s subsidiaries ⁠— Airborne Maintenance & Engineering Services and PEMCO Conversions — will provide manufacturing and conversion labor for the ATSG A321 conversions with the first slots available to their customers in Q4.

The urgency placed on this conversion is...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/a321-conversion-expected-to-penetrate-european-market-compete-with-757s-and-737s

Leasing firm to convert 18 Airbus A321 passenger jets to freighters

Ground-level view of cargo pallets on the tarmac being loaded on a white aircaft.

Aircraft leasing company BBAM Limited Partnership on Monday placed the largest order to date for the new Airbus A321 converted freighter, which is attracting growing attention from express delivery companies and airlines supporting parcel networks that are experiencing rapid growth in e-commerce business.

The San Francisco-based leasing services provider said it signed a contract with Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW), a joint venture between original equipment manufacturer Airbus and Singapore’s ST...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/leasing-firm-to-convert-18-airbus-a321-passenger-jets-to-freighters

ATSG ramps up to lease A321 converted freighters

A white plane with a new cargo door installed as part of conversion to a freighter.

The leasing arm of Air Transport Services Group, an aviation services and air cargo transport provider, said Tuesday it has committed to purchase two Airbus A321 passenger planes and convert them into freighters to meet growing demand from express delivery companies. 

Tampa, Florida-based PEMCO, another ATSG subsidiary that specializes in passenger-to-freighter conversions, will do the retrofits. Overhaul of the first plane will begin in the fourth quarter and Cargo Aircraft Management will...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/atsg-ramps-up-to-lease-a321-converted-freighters

Titan Airways to operate world’s second A321 converted freighter

A white plane with a dark blue takes off.

Titan Airways last week received the first of three Airbus A321 converted passenger freighters ordered from an Airbus engineering affiliate. The U.K. charter airline is the second carrier to add the aircraft to its fleet since the plane began initial production last fall.

ST Engineering in Singapore carried out the modification. The aircraft was previously operated by Thomas Cook Airlines, which went under last year, according to Titan’s website.

The A321 enters the market at an opportune time....

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/titan-airways-to-operate-worlds-second-a321-converted-freighter

Why the A321 converted freighter looks like a hot ticket (with video)

A plain white jet with a new cut-in cargo door outlined in frame takes off. It's an A321 converted freighter on its first test flight.

Questions about whether the new Airbus A321 converted freighter could generate orders and catch up to the Boeing 737-800, which has a three-year head start in the express delivery market, are quickly dissipating.

Aircraft trading and leasing company Vallair announced Tuesday that Miami-based Global Crossing Airlines (GlobalX) has signed a prospective deal to lease 10 converted A321 freighters, with first delivery expected by the third quarter of 2021. All 10 are expected to be in revenue service...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/why-the-a321-converted-freighter-looks-like-a-hot-ticket-with-video

New A321 converted freighter passes first test flight in US

A plain white jet with a new cargo door frame visible takes off on first test flight. It's an Airbus A321 converted freighter.

A joint venture between Air Transport Services Group (NASDAQ: ATSG) and Precision Aircraft Solutions successfully completed a first test flight in Florida with an Airbus A321 converted from passenger configuration into a freighter, the companies announced late Sunday.

The A321 converted freighter is entering the market to challenge the Boeing 737-800 in the regional, express delivery segment. Its ability to carry air containers makes it a potential replacement aircraft for aging Boeing 757...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/new-a321-converted-freighter-passes-first-test-flight-in-us

Airbus A321 embarks on second act in e-commerce

A plane sitting outside a hangar with patches on fuselage where modified doors and other changes are being made.

Australia’s Qantas Airways is scheduled this month to receive the world’s first Airbus A321 converted from a passenger configuration into a freighter. Aviation engineering firms are gearing up to produce more A321 converted freighters, which experts say is ideal for domestic and regional express carriers that fly e-commerce shipments.

The arrival of the freighter — the first narrowbody aircraft with space for containers in the lower deck — comes at an opportune time. The coronavirus greatly...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/airbus-a321-embarks-on-second-act-in-e-commerce