Astral Aviation to operate first two Embraer E190F conversions

Aircraft leasing company Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) has agreed a memorandum of understanding to place the first two Embraer E190F passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversions with Kenya-based cargo airline Astral Aviation.

In May 2022, NAC and Embraer reached an agreement in principle to take up to 10 conversion slots for E190F/E195F, with first deliveries starting in 2024. The aircraft for conversion will come from NAC’s existing E190/E195 fleet.

Sanjeev Gadhia, founder and chief executive at Astral Aviation, said: “We are honoured to be the launch operator of the Embraer 190F, which will be based in Astral’s Nairobi hub. It will operate on a combination of scheduled and charter flights on our intra-African network. The E-Jets are well known for their efficiency, flexibility and sustainability. We are confident that the E-Jet freighter platform will be a game-changing addition to our growing fleet. We are grateful to NAC and Embraer for choosing Astral to be the launch operator of the E-Jet Freighter.”

Norman Liu, president and chief executive of NAC, said: “As a launch lessor for the E-Jet freighter conversion program, we are pleased to have executed a MoU to place two E190F aircraft with Astral Aviation, a leading cargo carrier servicing Africa. NAC aims to remain the leader in regional aviation and expand into larger narrow body aircraft, while building our full life cycle asset management capabilities.”

Johann Bordais, president and chief executive, Embraer Services & Support, said: “The response to Embraer’s P2F program, which was launched only in March of this year, has been incredible. NAC has already placed their first two aircraft, and it’s great to welcome yet another operator to our E-Jet family.”

Astral Aviation, which is expanding its 14-strong fleet with three Boeing B757-200Fs and two Airbus A320 P2Fs, is also working on adding up to four B777 freighters and more Airbus aircraft.

Rebecca Jeffrey www.aircargonews.net