5 operators take 1st Airbus narrowbody freighters in 2024

Five carriers took delivery of their first A320 or A321 freighters in 2024, expanding the global footprint of Airbus narrowbody freighters. Growth in 2023 was concentrated in Asia and Europe, but in 2024, Airbus narrowbody freighters found homes with both new and established operators in Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. Here are the five carriers that received A320Fs or A321Fs for the first time in 2024, listed in alphabetical order: 1. Azul [caption id="attachment_57147941" align="alignright" width="380"] Azul has received both of its A321P2Fs. (Courtesy/Azul)[/caption] The Brazilian carrier had been considering obtaining two 737-400Fs for a couple of years, but it was not until 2024 that the airline committed to leasing a pair of A321-200P2Fs to replace the only Boeings in its fleet. The two 2006-vintage, ex-China Southern freighters are on lease from AerCap. The first aircraft (2741) arrived in Brazil in October and its sister ship (2759) followed in November. These are the first EFW A321-200P2F conversions in Brazil after the country approved the two currently certified A321 freighter types in September. Azul plans to begin service with both units in early 2025. 2. Fly Vaayu [caption id="attachment_57147942" align="alignright" width="380"] Unit 2288 is the first A320 freighter in the Middle East. (Courtesy/Ras Al Khaimah International Airport)[/caption] United Arab Emirates-based Vaayu Group established the new airline this year with its base in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE (RKT). The carrier’s first aircraft is a 2004-vintage A320-200P2F (2288, ex-Lauda Europe) that its parent has leased from Singapore-based Juniper Aviation Investments. Fly Vaayu received its AOC on Oct. 21 and began flying unit 2288 in early November. 3. Levu Air Cargo Azul was not the only Brazilian carrier to enter the A321 freighter market. In fact, the first A321 to arrive in Brazil was a Precision-converted A321-200PCF that landed in May. That 1998-vintage aircraft (775, ex-Ural Airlines) wears the titles of startup Levu Air Cargo, which has subleased the freighter from its previous operator, SmartLynx, and has dedicated the capacity to DHL Supply Chain. Levu obtained its AOC in early November and told Cargo Facts that it will also lease an A321-200P2F from BBAM. 4. Royal Jordanian Airlines [caption id="attachment_57147943" align="alignright" width="380"] Royal Jordanian used an A321P2F to replace an A310F. (Courtesy/Gerry's dnata)[/caption] After more than six months without a freighter since parking its single A310-300F in July 2023, Royal Jordanian took delivery of a 2009-vintage A321F in March. The freighter (3926, ex-British Airways) is an EFW conversion on lease from BBAM. Royal Jordanian told Cargo Facts in February that it plans to take another A321-200P2F in 2025. 5. Sky Vision Airlines The Egyptian airline has taken both an A320-200P2F and an A321-200P2F in 2024, making it the only carrier in the world with both types. Sky Vision, which launched commercial passenger operations with an A320 in January 2023, subleased a 2006-vintage A320-200P2F (2724, ex-Orange2Fly) at the beginning of 2024 from Vaayu Group, which leased the aircraft from Juniper Aviation Investments. Then, in September, Sky Vision grew its freighter fleet with an A321-200P2F. That 2004-vintage aircraft (2247, ex-Air Busan) is on lease directly from Juniper. Register now for Cargo Facts' essential regional events for industry stakeholders: Cargo Facts LATAM 2025 on Feb. 10-11 at the Pullman Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport in Brazil; Cargo Facts Asia 2025 on March 24-26 at the W Shanghai in China; and Cargo Facts EMEA 2025 on May 6-8 at the Shangri-La Bosphorus in Turkey.

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