BRENDAN SOBIE / WASHINGTON DC
Aeronavali is to expand regional aircraft modification offerings after completing its first ATR 72 freighter conversion. The Italian modification specialist is about to convert its first ATR 42 and has joined ATR in offering production freighters. The companies also hope to launch a combi conversion programme.
Certification of Aeronavali's first conversion, the fitting of a large cargo door on an ATR 72 for launch customer Farnair, is imminent. The companies plan a prototype cargo conversion of an ATR 42 without a launch customer, and are to offer production ATR 72 freighters and combi conversions.
Aeronavali says it is ready to install cargo doors on production ATR 72s, but there must be 20 orders for the project to go forward. A new ATR 72F would cost around $16 million, against just under $10 million for a converted freighter.
For combi conversions, Aeronavali is seeking to build on the work of Canada's First Air, which planned to fly the first ATR 42 combi meeting the latest fire suppression standards by August. First Air has upgraded two ATR 42s, the first-ever combi versions of the twin turboprop meeting Class C cargo- hold standards, and is considering selling its internally developed conversion kits to other operators.
Aeronavali says the company hopes to offer its own conversions. ATR envisages sales to remote operators in Alaska, Australia, and Greenland. "There is a renewal of combi version interest," says vice-president of business development Jacques Dronnet. "But it's a niche market."
Source: Flight International
