Goodbye Transmile, hello Raya… and hello 757 freighters

The new owner of the former Transmile Air Services has rebranded it Raya Airways, and will refleet with 757 freighters.

Malaysia’s troubled Transmile Group only recently formally completed the sale of all-cargo carrier Transmile Air Services (TAS), but the deal was in the works last year after TAS was spun out from its parent, and re-fleeting negotiations have been underway since then.

Raya inherited eight 727-200Fs – what was left of the TAS fleet after FedEx scooped up four MD-11Fs – and is currently operating four of them, three in scheduled and charter service, and one for DHL Express. Raya also ACMI leases a 757-200F from DHL Air.

The refleeting plan calls for an all-757-200F fleet, and Cargo Facts believes Raya has already sourced feedstock and is in near-final negotiations with a conversion house for at least four conversions, and possibly as many as six. First delivery (to replace the ACMI-leased unit) is scheduled for March 2015.

If you are interested in learning more about the narrowbody conversion market, and what has made it the hotspot of the freighter aircraft business in recent years, join us at the Cargo Facts Aircraft Symposium in Miami, 22 – 24 October. Leaders from the world’s leading narrowbody conversion houses, lessors,  and operators will participate in a discussion of both the current state of the market and its future prospects. For more information, or to register, visit www.cargofactssymposium.com