Express Freighters Australia takes first A321-200P2F

Express Freighters Australia (QE, Sydney Kingsford Smith) took delivery of the world’s first converted A321-200F narrowbody in the form of VH-ULD (msn 835). The aircraft was ferried from Singapore Seletar to Perth Int’l on October 14 but has yet to enter into service. The aircraft is owned by Vallair and was operated in passenger configuration by Onur Air (8Q, Istanbul New) until October 2018. The 22.4-year-old freighter will be operated on behalf of Express Freighters Australia’s parent Qantas Freight (Sydney Kingsford Smith), like the remainder of the cargo specialist’s fleet. According to the ch-aviation fleets advanced module, the airline operates four B737-300(F)s, one B737-400(F), and one B767-300(F). The UK’s Titan Airways (ZT, London Stansted) is also planning to take delivery of its first A321-200F shortly, Managing Director Alastair Willson confirmed to ch-aviation. The aircraft, due to be G-POWY (msn 1238), is completing its conversion at Singapore Seletar airport with delivery currently planned in the first week of November. The aircraft was operated by Thomas Cook Airlines UK (MT, Manchester Int’l) in a passenger configuration until September 2019, has also been converted by EFW at Singapore Seletar and is currently being painted and completed ahead of the delivery. The aircraft is owned by Nomura Babcock & Brown and managed by BBAM. Titan Airways plans to take a second A321P2F converted freighter, msn 1250, shortly by the end of 2020. This aircraft is also owned by Nomura Babcock & Brown, managed by BBAM, and was previously operated in a passenger configuration by Thomas Cook Airlines UK until its bankruptcy. Willson revealed that a third A321P2F will enter conversion in 2021. The British ACMI/charter specialist’s current freighter fleet consists of two B737-400(SF)s. Editorial Comment: The previous operator of msn 835 has been corrected; added details on Titan Airways’ plans. – 16.10.2020 – 12:34 UTC