Dominican Republic’s Sky Cana charters ATR72-200(F)

Sky Cana (Santo Domingo Las Américas) has chartered its first dedicated freighter, an ATR72-200(F) from fellow Dominican carrier Air Century (Y2, Santo Domingo La Isabela), as it seeks to expand into the cargo segment.

The carrier will operate the aircraft, HI1000 (msn 483), on behalf of its parent, logistics firm Logic Paq. Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows that the first flight under the agreement was operated on July 8, 2021, from Santo Domingo Las Américas to Havana Int’l and back. So far, the aircraft has exclusively been used on the route to Cuba and operates under the Y2 code of Air Century.

Sky Cana confirmed to Cargo Facts that it was looking to boost its cargo capacity by chartering a B737-300(F) from Star Air (South Africa) (BRH, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo). For now, however, all four units of the type operated by the South African carrier and both of its B737-300(SF)s remain active in its home market. Sky Cana did not reveal the timeline for the charter of the Boeing dedicated freighter. The airline’s sole in-house aircraft is a Cessna (single piston) C182.

On July 8, the US Department of Transportation granted Sky Cana exemption authority to engage in cargo charters from the Dominican Republic to the United States and between any point or points in the United States and any point or points in a third country or countries, provided that such traffic is carried via the Caribbean nation and makes a stopover there for at least two consecutive nights.

Sky Cana is also wet-leasing two A321-200s from Avion Express Malta. The two aircraft are formally operated under Air Century’s code as well and are being used to connect Santo Domingo and Punta Cana predominantly with Miami Int’l.