Falko completes first ATR 72 freighter conversion
The company is now part of Chorus Aviation
U.K.-based lessor Falko Regional Aircraft has completed the conversion of its first ATR 72 freighter as its new parent company Chorus Aviation looks to expand its footprint in the segment.
The 2009-vintage ATR 72-500F (855, ex-Air Austral), which arrived at Dinard (DNR) in September 2021 for conversion at the Sabena Technics facility into package-freighter configuration according to the Aeroconseil STC, will join Scotland-based Loganair on lease.
Canada-based Chorus Aviation, which announced on May 3 the completion of its acquisition of Falco, told Cargo Facts that having unit 855 come off lease “created an ideal candidate for conversion with a broad range of customers keen to take the aircraft as a package freighter.”
Chorus said that it had studied the ATR package freighter market for some time but lacked the feedstock to develop opportunities. Through the Falko acquisition, Chorus hopes to increase its investment in the freighter market and is evaluating a number of further conversion opportunities, the company told Cargo Facts.
Unit 855 joins a 1990-vintage ATR 72-500F (570, ex-CanaryFly), which Loganair leased from Nordic Aviation Capital in 2019. The carrier has four other Saab 340 freighters.
Chorus and Falko have a combined portfolio that includes 353 regional aircraft, according to Chorus. Chorus also confirmed to Cargo Facts that it has four Dash 8-100 package freighters through its Voyageur Aviation business.
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