Taiwanese carrier goes freighter route with 757

Taiwanese carrier goes freighter route with 757    Taipai-based Far Eastern Air Transport has taken delivery of a 757-200 converted freighter from aircraft leasing company AWAS. The aircraft is the first pure freighter in the Far Eastern fleet.
   “The rapid growth in cargo transport throughout the Asia-Pacific region is driving the acquisition of freighter aircraft by the region’s airlines,” Jon Connell, vice president of sales, said in a statement. He suggested the airline could add more 757s in the future.
   AWAS, previously known as Ansett Worldwide Aviation Services, hired start-up aircraft engineering firm Precision Conversions to convert two 757s from passenger to freighter configuration. Far Eastern is the first operator to take one of the leased aircraft.
   Converted 757s are relatively rare so far, but as the planes start nearing the end of their prime passenger years some analysts feel the aircraft will make suitable replacements for aging narrow-body cargo planes like the Boeing 727 and others (see June American Shipper, page 48).