The Boeing 767-200F taxies are at the carrier's hub in Nairobi, Kenya. The photo was taken by Astral Aviation.
Ahead of the Singapore Air Show, the fastest-growing cargo airline in the world, Astral Aviation, has announced that it will operate the first-ever A320 passenger to P2F converted aircraft. The first A320 P2F jet is expected to be placed on lease in the second quarter of 2022.
The Vaayu Group will lease a total of five A320 P2F aircraft from the company.
The first two of the five A320P2F aircraft will be sub-leasing them from Vaayu to Astral Aviation.
Vaayu will be the first A320P2F lessee customer and Astral Aviation will be the first airline in the world to operate such a platform. As an aviation asset solution provider, we are able to provide comprehensive solutions not offered by other service providers, and help operators gain a competitive edge.
The Vaayu Group's Chairman and President, Emad AlMonayea, said that there was an increase of sales in e- commerce. This was unexpected for cargo handlers and freighters. We knew this was coming. The process was fast-tracked in this A320P2F programme.
The A320P2F is a variant of the A321P2F, which is a programme by the joint venture Elbe Flugzeugwerke.
The A320P2F is the first aircraft in the fleet of 14 that will be operated by Sanjeev Gadhia. The A320, A321, A330-300, and A350 are all impressive and will add immense value to Astral's fleet and network expansion, which will result in future freighter aircraft acquisitions of the A320, A321, A330-300, and A350.
Two A320 freighters will be joining the carrier's fleet, as well as two Boeing 727-200s, one Boeing 767-200, one DC-9-30, one Fokker 27 and two Boeing 747-400s wet-leased. The carrier is going to receive three Boeing 757-200s from Aquila Air Capital as part of its fleet expansion drive.
The A320P2F can hold 10 ULD containers, one pallet position on the main deck, and seven ULD containers on the lower deck. It is ideal for established general freight and express markets and can haul up to 4,700 kilometres and 21 tonnes over 3,300 kilometres. The A320/321P2F's fly-by-wire cockpit commonality with the A330 widebody family of passenger and freighter aircraft has led Astral to consider other Airbus offerings.
Victor Shalton's love for aviation can be traced to when he was 11-years-old. As a seasoned aviation writer, he takes pride in providing the best aviation coverage around the globe and is passionate about advancing his skills in the aviation space. In addition, he loves travelling, writing, arts and while his speaking engagements have taken him around the world, he is proud to call Nairobi home.
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