Zimex expands turboprop freighter fleet with ATR 42Fs

Switzerland-based Zimex Aviation has in the past few months steadily ramped up its fleet with the addition of three ATR 42 freighters. The carrier had previously only operated ATR 72Fs.

Zimex confirmed to Cargo Facts that it now has a total of seven converted ATR freighters – three ATR 42Fs and four ATR 72Fs, all flying express cargo operations for a number of different customers. The first ATR 42F, unit 378, was converted at the Skyways Technics facility in Sonderborg (SGD) and was redelivered in July 2019 [FATs 005162-005163], while the second (317) was converted at the Rheinland Air Service facility in Monchengladbach (MGL) and was redelivered in September [FATs 005164-005165]. The most recent addition, unit 93, was also converted in SGD and has just been painted at East Midlands Airport (EMA) [FATs 005166-00567].

Zimex also told Cargo Facts that it has no plans to convert into freighter configuration the single ATR 42 it currently operates in passenger service (528), but that it could look at expanding its reach in all business areas, depending on client requirements.