Malta’s Airhub Aviation eyes fleet expansion by summer 2022

Continuously looking to expand its fleet, Airhub Airlines (GJM, Malta Int’l) will add 11 aircraft, including three to be converted into freighters, by summer 2022, the Malta-based ACMI/charter specialist announced.

“We expect to have three additional A340s in Zero LOPA configuration (aircraft interiors removed), two A330s, and six B737-800s, by summer 2022. The configuration of the A330 will depend on the market dynamics,” Vice President (Commercial) Husam Kharoufah said in a statement.

According to the ch-aviation fleets advanced module, one of the A340-300s to be delivered will be YA-KME (msn 318) from Kam Air (RQ, Kabul), currently in maintenance at Amman Queen Alia.

The fleet expansion follows the inception of the company’s second A340-300, 9H-HOP (msn 938), in November. The aircraft has been converted from passenger configuration to a freighter for deployment on long-haul cargo routes between Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. The converted aircraft has a maximum volume capacity of 250 m3 subject to a density and maximum cargo weight of 56 tonnes.

“The induction of a second A340 in Zero LOPA Configuration will offer our clients additional capacity to accommodate the cargo demand, which is showing no sign of slowing,” Kharoufah explained.

“Furthermore, Airhub Aviation is in the last stages of getting the FAA exemption to carry cargo in our cabin from/to the USA – one of the largest cargo markets in the world. That will enable our customers to meet their needs and explore new opportunities,” he added.

The conversion of both A340-300s – 9H-ZMK (msn 668) and 9H-HOP (msn 938) – was completed by Aviatic MRO at its facilities in Siauliai, Lithuania.

According to the ch-aviation fleets advanced module, Airhub Airlines also has three A320-200s – 9H-HUB (msn 4328), 9H-EMU (msn 1087), and 9H-GTS (msn 4384) – in a 180-seat all-economy class passenger configuration.

Headquartered in Malta with a commercial office in Dubai, Airhub Aviation offers ACMI, passenger and cargo charters, aircraft management, aviation training, recruitment, and MRO services.