TNT adds 757 to Western Europe route

TNT adds 757 to Western Europe route    TNT Express has added capacity on one of its European routes by wet leasing a Boeing 757 from Icelandair.
   Under the arrangement, Icelandair will operate the aircraft for TNT Airways, the house airline of TNT.
   The move marks the first time TNT has used a 757. TNT Airways has previously leased a Tupolov-204, which resembles the 757 in capacity and range. Last year, TNT told American Shipper it was evaluating the 757 as a potential fleet addition as the conversion market for 757s slowly begins to reach maturity.
   A typical 757 converted from passenger configuration can carry about 60,000 pounds of freight. The plane strength’s compared to Boeing 727s and other planes in the mid-size category include fuel efficiency, lower noise, smaller crew requirements and flexibility to fly short and long-haul flights.
   Last year there were about 110 757 cargo planes in operation. TNT competitor UPS has 75 original production 757s in its fleet. The planes have slightly larger cargo capacity than a converted model.
   TNT said the new aircraft is based at its European hub in Liege, Belgium, with service to Barcelona, Vitoria and Madrid, Spain.