SmartLynx Aims to Expand Fleet with 13 A321Fs Jet Freighters by Year End

SmartLynx Airlines is aiming to become the largest operator of A321-200 converted freighters in Europe by the end of the year.

The charter carrier and lessor currently operates six A321Fs but plans to increase its fleet to 13 by the end of the year, while adding four more units by the end of 2024.

SmartLynx Airlines cargo operations manager Dmitrijs Voroncovs said: ” This is the first-ever narrowbody freighter to feature containerised both main and lower cargo decks, which allow for automated loading and unloading to achieve exceptional turnaround times.”

The airline said the model, which can carry 27 tonnes of cargo and has a range of 2,300 nautical miles, is perfect for the express market.

Chief executive of SmartLynx Airlines, Zygimantas Surintas, added: “As we reintroduce the A321-200 freighter to the world, we are confident that it is poised to lead the future of cargo operations.

“To start, its exceptional fuel efficiency makes it the most sustainable choice in the cargo market today. Direct operational costs for A321F are up to 30% lower compared to the classic B757-200 and 737, making it the most cost-effective option for our clients.”

Most recently, the carrier added an A321 freighter, registered as YL-LDP and freshly converted by Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW), to its fleet.

The aircraft was added to its Latvian AOC and is the first of the type in the country.