A new player in the 767-200F ACMI and charter market

The medium widebody charter and ACMI business just got a little more complicated.

A US company, 21 Air, acquired two 767-200Fs (23801, 23803, both ex-TAMPA Cargo) and says it will market them for ACMI or charter service, on the operating certificate of Greensboro-based passenger charter operator Dynamic Airways.

21 Air’s website says the company “is a North Carolina corporation based in Piedmont Triad International Airport at Greensboro, NC created as a marketing vehicle operating in the international ACMI and charter markets.” However, those markets do not offer much in the way of easy pickings, and 21 Air will have its work cut out for it.

Medium widebody freighters, such as the 767 and A300 are widely used by the big express companies (DHL, FedEx, UPS), but have not gained much traction in the general freight business. And in looking to place its two aircraft — whether in ACMI or charter work, and whether for express companies or general freight operators — 21 Air will be up against strong and long-established competition from Air Transport Services Group. ATSG has a fleet of some fifty 767-200Fs/-300Fs, and through its various airline and aircraft-management subsidiaries operates them on its own behalf, on behalf of other carriers, leases them on both a dry- and ACMI-basis, and even maintains them through its in-house MRO.