Loganair adds first ATR freighter

Scotland-based Loganair has taken redelivery of its maiden ATR freighter, an ATR 72-500F (570, ex-Canary Fly). The 21-year-old aircraft is on lease from Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) [FATs 005222-005224].

Loganair recently told Cargo Facts that this is expected to be the first of at least two ATR 72 freighters to join the fleet, and that it was anticipating unit 570 to enter service on Nov. 4. For now though, the aircraft still appears to be at Jersey (JER), having been ferried there from NAC’s facility in Billund (BLL) on Nov. 2. It previously operated a test flight on Oct. 15.

While unit 570 was ferried to the UK with its original Danish registration (OY-YAN), a photo on jetphotos.net taken on Nov. 3 shows the newly painted aircraft parked at JER with a UK registration. However, that registration, G-LMRZ, doesn’t appear to exist in the Civil Aviation Authority’s aircraft register yet.

Loganair’s current freighter fleet comprises four Saab 340Fs. The carrier didn’t comment on whether the new arrival would be used for replacement or growth. NAC, meanwhile, told Cargo Facts that it does not have any further commitments from Loganair at this point, but that the two parties are in negotiations. Given that Loganair will also be leasing ATR 42 aircraft from NAC for its passenger business, further ATR 72Fs from NAC wouldn’t be unexpected.

As of June 30, 2019, NAC’s portfolio included a total of 33 ATR 42s and 156 ATR 72s.