UK operator Titan Airways’ is to introduce three Airbus A321 converted freighters to its fleet, with the first one newly redelivered from modification specialists ST Engineering and EFW.
Powered by CFM International CFM56 engines, the aircraft, MSN1238, was originally delivered to MyTravel Airways in 2000, and subsequently operated by Thomas Cook Airlines.
It was ferried to the Singapore conversion plant as G-DHJH in December 2019 and will operate for Titan as G-POWY. The twinjet departed Singapore’s Seletar airport on 7 January to return to the UK via India.
ST Engineering says it has been redelivered to leasing firm BBAM following the passenger-to-freighter modification. BBAM will lease the aircraft to Titan.
“We’re seeing an increase in demand for our freighter services,” says Titan managing director Alastair Willson.
“These aircraft will enable us to offer airfreight solutions to more clients, and help us in our transition to an all-Airbus fleet.”
Titan’s freighter fleet includes a pair of Boeing 737-400Fs. Although it is introducing the A321 freighters it will retain these older 737s for the time being.
Willson says the new aircraft offers improved economics and lower noise, and will ensure the “highest levels of reliability” for Titan’s freight operations.
EFW’s conversion provides an aircraft with a 28t payload – with up to 14 upper-deck and 10 lower-deck containers – and “optimised” weight distributions, allowing the flexibility of empty flights and “random loading” for express carriers.
The modification firm says it plans to establish additional conversion sites in the USA, China and Germany to provide 25 slots annually by 2023.
“As our [A321] programme steadily gains traction with more redeliveries, we will…double down on delivering this innovative solution to the market and capturing more narrowbody freighter market share,” says EFW chief Andreas Sperl.
