YTO Cargo Airlines to double 757F fleet

China-based YTO Cargo Airlines has signed an LOI to acquire seven 757-200s from AerSale and plans to have them converted to freighter configuration by Precision Aircraft Solutions [ FATs 006392-6398 ]. YTO has already taken delivery of the first aircraft. Assuming every following unit is firmed up, it would be YTO’s largest 757 conversion order to date and would take the carrier’s 757-200PCF fleet from five owned 757-200Fs to twelve, the airline told Cargo Facts. [caption id="attachment_416238" align="alignright" width="560"] Unit 34008 is on lease from NWCIA. (Photo/YTO Cargo Airlines)[/caption] The future induction and redelivery schedule for the airframes will depend on kit and conversion slot availability. Touch labor for all seven of the conversions will be handled at HAECO Xiamen (XMN), Precision Aircraft Solutions confirmed to Cargo Facts . AerSale, which acquired the airframes and Rolls-Royce RB211 engines from American Airlines last year as part of a twenty-four-unit deal, told Cargo Facts it has an LOI in place to sell seven to YTO. Of the twenty-four ex-American Airlines aircraft, AerSale has sold three others – one each to Cargojet (29594), SF Airlines (30887) and National Airlines (32381). On July 3, the first aircraft (29593, ex-American Airlines) in the seven-unit tranche, which YTO purchased on July 1, departed Roswell (ROW) where the aircraft had been in storage and was ferried to XMN ahead of induction at the HAECO facility. YTO subsidiary North-western Cargo International Airlines (NWCIA) is also in the process of converting four ex-Xiamen Airlines 757-200s to freighter configuration with Precision. The first unit (34008) has been redelivered but is on a one-year lease to YTO while NWCIA prepares to introduce the new type to its operation, which currently consists of a single 737-300F. NWCIA expects redelivery of its second 757-200PCF aircraft in August and will take redelivery of two more in October of this year and February of next year. In June 2022, unit 34009 will be returned to NWCIA, bringing its 757-200PCF fleet to four units, the carrier told Cargo Facts. Upgauging is already in the cards for YTO, which currently operates an all-narrowbody freighter fleet. The carrier has begun converting its first 767-300ERs (33423 and 33424, ex-Air Canada) to freighter configuration with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). Both aircraft have been inducted at IAI’s Tel Aviv (TLV) facility, and redeliveries of both medium-widebody aircraft are expected ahead of this year’s peak season. As for plans to add newer narrowbody types to its fleet, YTO was a launch customer for Boeing’s 737-800BCF conversion program , but has so far held off on introducing the type. While the priority is to grow its 757 fleet and introduce the 767 platform, the carrier will eventually look to replace its remaining 737 Classics with the type, the carrier said. A couple have already left the fleet. Even as conversion programs for newer types such as the 737-800 and A321-200 pick-up momentum, demand for the 757 remains strong. Precision Aircraft Solutions told Cargo Facts it plans to induct a total of twenty aircraft in 2020, and at least twelve in 2021. Cargo Facts Symposium, taking place LIVE October 25-27 at the Wynn Las Vegas, is the essential event for stakeholders in the air cargo industry. Learn more and register at www.cargofactssymposium.com

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