Raf-Avia plans turboprop freighter expansion

Latvia-based Raf-Avia is looking to ATR aircraft to renew and expand its current turboprop freighter fleet. The carrier tells Cargo Facts that it expects to have an ATR 72F join its fleet by the end of the year.

Raf-Avia currently has two An-26Bs, a Saab 340A in cargo configuration and an ATR 72-200F, as well as two passenger Saab 340Bs. The company also has a certified maintenance base in Riga (RIX) that is capable of providing line and base maintenance for other ATR 72 operators.

The single ATR 72-200F (493, ex-Canary Fly) recently flew on an ACMI basis for just under two months for Scotland-based Loganair, operating various routes around the UK. Raf-Avia said that that operation is ending now that Loganair has added its first ATR 72-500F (570, ex-Canary Fly). Unit 570 was re-registered in the UK on Nov. 4 and has now entered service.

We wouldn’t be surprised to see additional ATR 72 freighters joining the Raf-Avia fleet next year.

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