DHL Express adds 21 Air to growing list of CMI operators

DHL Express continues to tweak its CMI operator mix for its North American 767-200BDSF fleet and has added U.S.-based 21 Air as a new operator. On May 12, a DHL-owned 767-200BDSF (22571) previously operated on a CMI basis by Atlas Air was transferred to 21 Air’s air operator’s certificate, according to the FAA registry [FATs 006229-6230]. The aircraft had spent about a month at Lake Charles Airport (CWF), where it received a new coat of paint at the Landlocked Aviation Services facility, before flying to Miami (OPF) on May 9, using a 21 Air flight number and now showing 21 Air’s logo near the nose instead of Atlas Air’s. The transfer resembles DHL’s reassignment of CMI ops for four GE CF6-powered 767-200BDSFs from Atlas Air to Amerijet International , completed in February of this year. The duration of the new CMI placements is unclear, and we note that DHL Express’ nine U.S.-based 767-200BDSFs are all around thirty-eight years old. [caption id="attachment_415918" align="alignright" width="550"] Unit 22571 spent about a month at Lake Charles. (Photo/Landlocked Aviation Services)[/caption] Unit 22571 is one of five Pratt & Whitney PW4000-powered 767-200Fs DHL had placed with Atlas in 2011. DHL could not be reached to comment on whether it plans to reassign any of the other four 767-200BDSFs currently on Atlas Air’s AOC. For now, two of the 767-200BDSFs (23058 and 22570) continue to operate as normal while another pair (22572 and 22566) is not currently in service. Unit 22572 had been idle at MIA and was flown to Roswell (ROW) on May 12 while 22566 appears to be undergoing maintenance at STS in Melbourne, FL (MLB). Atlas reported its 767-200F operating fleet measured in average aircraft equivalents had decreased from 9.0 to 5.6 year on year in the first quarter of 2021. The group did not respond to a request for comment with regard to its 767-200BDSF CMI operations for DHL. Previously, 21 Air has operated its own 767-200BDSFs on an ACMI basis for DHL Express. This past year has seen DHL greatly diversifying its list of partner carriers. Apart from Amerijet and 21 Air, the integrator has transferred five 737-400Fs away from Atlas-affiliate Southern Air and placed one with Kalitta Charters II, two with iAero Airways, and two with Mesa Airlines. One year ago, DHL also handed over its first two 737-800BDSFs to iAero. As for 21 Air, the carrier is in the midst of a restructure that will bring in new investment. Effective April 6, Adolfo Moreno, previously the chairman of 21 Air, is no longer part of the company, according to an e-mail statement from Moreno’s former account. 21 Air declined to comment on its new ownership structure or fleet plans. 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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