Max Kingsley-Jones/LONDON
Icelandair is finalising plans to expand its Boeing 757 freighter fleet and could be the second customer for the twinjet's freighter conversion programme.
The airline's cargo arm operates two freighters - a 757-200PF on long-term lease from Ansett Worldwide Aviation Services and a Boeing 737-300 which will be returned to International Lease Finance by mid-2001. The passenger fleet comprises two 737-400s and eight Rolls-Royce RB211-powered 757-200s, plus two 757-300s on order.
The 38t-payload 757-200F is operated on five services a week between TNT's hub in Liege, Belgium, Reykjavik in Iceland and New York, and on weekly Liege-Reykjavik flights. The 737 operates on TNT's European night network and day and night flights to European destinations.
"We want another 757 [-200F] next year to replace the 737F and we are considering our options," says Icelandair Cargo president Pétur Eiríksson. "We have to decide by the end of next month."
Options include the acquisition of a new or used 757-200PF, or the conversion of a passenger aircraft. As there are no used 757PFs available and ordering a new aircraft would have very high capital costs, conversion is seen as the most cost-effective option.
"We have taken a January conversion slot with Boeing, and will either convert one of our own 757s, or, more likely, buy a 12-13-year-old aircraft," says Eiríksson. Talks are under way with several "owners" over the purchase of an RB211-535E4-powered aircraft for conversion, he adds.
Icelandair is phasing out its two remaining 737-400s over the next 18 months and the acquisition of a 757 freighter will allow the airline to operate an all-757 fleet.
"We will probably require a third 757PF later," says Eiríksson, who says the airline would be interested in a freighter version of the 757-300, if it is developed.
Source: Flight International
