Used Airbus A321s are getting a second life in the cargo arena. More companies are jumping in to do the modifications.
Mammoth Freighters has deep pockets and ambitious goals for selling converted passenger planes for cargo operations.
Most all-cargo carriers that buy used passenger planes rebuild them for heavy cargo. Easter Airlines has a quicker, cheaper idea.
Aircraft leasing and management firm BBAM showed its confidence in the new Airbus A321 freighter design by placing a large order with an aftermarket shop to overhaul passenger planes to carry cargo.
Air Transport Services Group is like a Swiss Army knife. It flies cargo and passenger planes for other airlines, leases aircraft, does aircraft maintenance and freighter conversions, and provides ground handling. It’s all clicking for the bottom line.
Modern narrowbody freighters that can be reclaimed for cargo are very popular with all-cargo operators because they fit well with express networks. Leasing companies are making more planes, like the 837-800, available.
Lufthansa Cargo is an early adopter of the Airbus A321 converted freighter and will use a passenger affiliate to fly the aircraft.
The Airbus A321 is the new kid on the block when it comes to cargo aircraft. Engineering companies take retired passenger planes and transform them into planes that can carry lots of cargo.
Air Canada is making cargo a bigger part of its business plan. It’s turning eight passenger planes into double-deck freighters.
Some car owners will only take their cars to the dealer for maintenance, while others are content with an independent mechanic. The choice is similar for airlines that want to modify aircraft to carry cargo.
LATAM Airlines will add 10 767 passenger planes with a repair shop licensed by Boeing so they can be retrofitted to carry cargo on the main deck.
Leasing companies are investing in pre-owned passenger planes that can be converted into freighters, and production companies are stepping up to meet their need.
Airbus is competing not only against Boeing to sell small converted freighters, but it now has a new U.S. competitor in retrofitting A321s.
Aircraft conversion houses tear apart passenger aircraft, then reinforce the walls and floor so they can handle heavy cargo on the main deck. Business is growing along with trade.
The A380 has mostly been a bust as a giant passenger plane. Now Airbus is trying to salvage some value by offering to convert passenger planes into full-time cargo planes. But there’s a twist. Passengers will still ride along on the top deck. Will airlines buy in?
USA Jet Airlines, a small cargo operator, is converting old MD-88s into freighters. Airlines gave up on this plane, so why is anyone investing to reuse these aircraft?
Icelandair is raising capital with a sale-leaseback of two large jets and then turning them into freighters. It’s an innovative move.
Boeing 767s are coveted by all-cargo carriers. LATAM Airlines is doing an in-house swap of passenger planes to its cargo division, which will send them to Boeing to convert into freighters.
You’ve probably flown in a Boeing 737-800, a next-generation variant of this popular 737, but when they are put to pasture they become valuable assets for all-cargo airlines. ASL Airlines in Europe is snapping some up and converting them to freighters.
Aerospace engineering firms are busy converting passenger planes to pure freighters.
