These 6 carriers placed their first A321Fs into service in 2023

Interest in A321 freighters continues to grow, with many operators seeking the next-generation narrowbody conversion. The A321F’s fuel efficiency, volumetric payload and range are among the reasons it continues to expand its footprint. Although the Airbus narrowbody freighter has been touted as the 757-200F replacement, most carriers that have taken on the type have not operated the 757 before. EFW and 321 Precision Conversions are the only certified A321F conversion programs, and EFW sets the pace for number of conversions. Some carriers see the benefit of using both these conversion types in their fleets. Here are the six carriers that have placed their first A321 freighters into service in 2023, listed in alphabetical order. 1. AirAsia [caption id="attachment_56866542" align="alignright" width="360"] Teleport had two A321P2Fs in service in December. (Photo/Cargo Facts)[/caption] Malaysia-based AirAsia entered the narrowbody freighter space in June, when the first of three A321-200P2Fs it will operate for its logistics subsidiary Teleport arrived in Kuala Lumpur (KUL). That aircraft (1607, ex-Galistair Malta) is on lease from San Francisco-based BBAM and completed conversion with EFW at the VT San Antonio Aerospace facility in San Antonio (SAT) this year. The second (926, ex-Aer Lingus) arrived at KUL in late October, while the third (1023, ex-Aer Lingus) is nearing delivery . 2. BBN Airlines Turkey-based BBN Airlines also chose to begin freighter operations with the A321F . In June, the new carrier took delivery of a CFM56-powered A321-200P2F (2005, ex-Red Wings) on lease from BBAM and put it into service the following month. BBN took delivery of a second A321-200P2F (1094, ex-Aer Lingus) in December. 3. Global Crossing Airlines Miami-based Global Crossing Airlines took delivery of its first V2500-powered A321-200P2F in January on lease from ST Engineering to launch its air cargo division. The 2000-vintage freighter (1199, ex-Ural Airlines) arrived in Miami (MIA) in January and conducted its first flight in February from MIA to Jacksonville (JAX). Global Crossing has since added two A321-200PCFs and plans to grow its freighter fleet to as many as twenty over the next three years . 4. MNG Airlines [caption id="attachment_56866543" align="alignright" width="360"] MNG is one of two airlines in Turkey with A321P2Fs. (Courtesy/MNG Airlines)[/caption] Turkey-based MNG Airlines added its first A321-200P2F near the end of June to complement its fleet of three A330Fs and six A300Fs. The 2008-vintage unit 3369 (ex-Cathay Pacific) is the first of two Airbus narrowbody freighters on lease from Juniper Aviation Investments, a freighter-leasing joint venture formed by Singapore’s ST Engineering and Temasek in 2021. The second freighter (3669, ex-Cathay Pacific) arrived in October. 5. Raya Airways [caption id="attachment_56866550" align="alignright" width="360"] The first A321P2F for Raya arrived in April. (Courtesy/Raya Airways)[/caption] Malaysia-based Raya Airways established itself in April as the first Southeast Asian carrier to take delivery of an A321 freighter. The IAE-powered 2000-vintage A321-200P2F (1293, ex-Sky Angkor Airlines) is on lease from Juniper Aviation Investments. Raya has also taken delivery of two A321PCFs on lease from CAM but has not flown them in commercial service. 6. Sichuan Airlines China-based Sichuan Airlines in November took delivery of its first A321-200PCF (1926, ex-Air Macau) on lease from Sichuan Aviation Industry Development Co. after conversion in Chengdu (CTU), and became the first Chinese airline to add an A321 freighter. Sichuan Airlines operated its first commercial flight with the aircraft on Dec. 25. The airline also has an A330-300P2F and three A330-200Fs. More to come Cargo Facts has reported on one carrier that has taken delivery of its first A321 freighter but has not started commercial flights with it yet: Spring Airlines Japan , a low-cost subsidiary of Japan Airlines, will operate three A321-200P2Fs on a CMI basis for Japan-based logistics provider Yamato Transport and began training flights with the first freighter in November. Cargo Facts EMEA 2024, the essential event for stakeholders in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, will take place Feb. 5-7 in Amsterdam. Learn more and register now .

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