Azul to upgrade freighter fleet with A321Fs

Brazil-based Azul will take the next step in the development of its freighter fleet by transitioning to the A321F platform. The carrier, which currently operates two 737-400Fs, confirmed to Cargo Facts that it intends to lease two A321-200Fs in the first half of 2022. Azul told Cargo Facts that, prior to the pandemic, it had decided to expand its cargo operations with 737-800BCFs due to growing demand, but also started considering A321 freighters around the end of 2019. The carrier postponed and eventually canceled its 737NG plans last year. [caption id="attachment_414533" align="alignright" width="560"] Azul leased its two 737-400Fs from Vx in 2018. (Photo/Azul)[/caption] Azul leased its two 737-400Fs (28198 and 28053, both ex-Miami International), built in 1997 and 1996, respectively, from Vx Capital Partners in 2018 . The two PEMCO conversions will come off lease in 2023, at which point the carrier plans to add more A321Fs. Azul told Cargo Facts it will most likely opt for aircraft that are around fifteen years old, but declined to identify a lessor at this stage or say whether it has selected Elbe Flugzeugwerke’s (EFW) A321-200P2F or 321 Precision Conversions’ A321-200PCF. One advantage of moving into the A321F platform is clear; phasing out the 737-400Fs will not only lower the overall age of Azul’s fleet but, more importantly, streamline it to ATR, Airbus and Embraer models, excluding Cessna 208s under the Azul Conecta subsidiary. Notably, the carrier currently has four A321neos and forty-two A320neos. Azul said the greater range of the A321Fs will also enable longer missions. The carrier’s 737-400Fs currently only fly domestically, with the longest flight being between Campinas (VCP) and Manaus (MAO). Since last year, Azul has removed seats from several of its E195s and is now flying three reconfigured units to supplement its cargo capacity. The carrier told Cargo Facts that it is operating these aircraft under a temporary exemption that will expire Oct. 31, 2021, but Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) is in talks with operators and will soon make a decision on whether to postpone that deadline. Beyond that, Azul said it is already in discussions with an STC holder on a more definitive quick-change modification for its E195s that will not be subject to the ANAC exemption. Meanwhile, the carrier has also been using its A320s, A330s and ATR 72s for cargo-only operations. Other airlines that have chosen A321Fs, at least partly because of fleet commonality, include SmartLynx, which expects to begin flying its first in the next several weeks , IndiGo , Global Crossing Airlines and Titan Airways , which now has two. Cargo Facts EMEA, taking place June 2-3 as a virtual experience, is the event for exploring opportunity in the EMEA region. The event continues to bring together the best, brightest, and most innovative executives in the global air cargo industry. Learn more and register at www.cargofactsemea.com .

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