E-170s to go
Hong Kong Express is phasing out its four Embraer 170s, but lessor GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS) has already found customers for the aircraft. Industry sources say one of the E-170s will be delivered to Sky Air World (a charter start-up to launch operations in May), two are destined for Kenya Airways and the other will be introduced in the third quarter to Australia's Airnorth. Hong Kong Express, which introduced the E-170 in September 2005, is switching its focus to larger aircraft with the Boeing 737-800 expected to be the type acquired.
ST Aero deal
The US-based division of Singapore Technologies Aerospace (ST Aero) has won a $470 million deal from FedEx Express to convert 87 Boeing 757-200s to freighters. Conversions will start this year at ST Mobile Aerospace Engineering's facilities in Mobile, Alabama. Aircraft will be fitted with a side cargo door, have their main deck floor strengthened, and be fitted with cargo-loading systems. The conversions will be undertaken in accordance with the ST Aero-developed supplemental type certificate in three groups over a seven-year period.
Source: Flight International
