As DHL adds first ACMI A321F, how will lowerhold use change?

SmartLynx Malta is on the cusp of putting its first A321-200PCF (891, ex-Air Mediterranee) into ACMI service for DHL Express, following redelivery to Vallair from 321 Precision Conversions last week. The aircraft touched down at Leipzig (LEJ) June 9 and, once active, will grow the global A321F fleet to four units. As more A320-family freighters enter service, integrators and e-commerce operators may increase their use of containerized freight, according to representatives from lessors and ACMI operators on a Cargo Facts EMEA roundtable discussion held virtually last week. A321 freighters are touted for their ability to accommodate containerized freight on the lower deck – a feature that was not available on the previous generation of freighters such as 737 Classics or the 757-200. A shift in how narrowbody lowerholds are utilized, however, would require adjustments at the express hub level. [caption id="attachment_416095" align="alignright" width="560"] Unit 891 is the first A321-200PCF and will begin flying for DHL imminently. (Photo/SmartLynx)[/caption] “With the introduction of the A321, I think there’ll be more containerized lowerhold being filled,” said Richard Greener, senior vice president and manager of GECAS Cargo. “That’s going to take a long time because there are a lot of Classics, a lot of 757s, and a lot of 737-800s out there now.” As of mid-January 2021, 705 of the 765 narrowbody freighters in service were Boeing variants , according to Cargo Facts ’ narrowbody fleet tally. While at 35”, the height clearance in the lowerhold of 737-800s is too small to accommodate containerized freight, Telair has developed a mechanized Sliding Carpet system that facilitates pre-loading of the lowerhold, Greener said. For express and e-commerce companies, the calculus of whether to use containers or bulk-load the lowerhold is determined by the impact to the overall sort efficiency of the hub at either end of the cargo flight. Given the size difference between maindeck AAA or AAY containers (88” x 125”) and lowerhold-compatible LD3-45Ws (96” x 45”), an additional container type adds complexity to the operation, according to Joerg Andriof, senior vice president and global head of investment at Titan Aviation Leasing. “If [express and e-commerce companies] have now a smaller lowerhold container in a hub position where they normally have bigger containers, it's reducing throughput and efficiency,” he said. The benefits of containerized cargo could still outweigh the added complexity with the right network and fleet size. “If they have this, then they will probably design the processes so that it's possible to have the new container type,” Andriof said. Returning to SmartLynx, the carrier will soon add a second A321F to its DHL ACMI operation; that aircraft (1017, ex-R Airlines) is nearing completion with Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) in Guangzhou (CAN) and will also be leased from Vallair, with delivery in the next couple of months, SmartLynx Vice President of Sales and Development Edvinas Demenius said during the session.

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