US cargo carrier Atlas Air has confirmed that it has acquired three Boeing 747-300 combis, including two purchased from Varig, and a third, ex-Sabena aircraft acquired under long-term lease (Flight International, 16-22 May). The General Electric CF6-powered aircraft will be converted to full freighters by Boeing Airplane Services' Wichita, Kansas, facility, and will enter service in the fourth quarter, boosting Atlas' all-747 freighter fleet to 37. Alitalia has concluded a deal with Atlas Air to upgrade its Boeing 747 freighter lease deal from a 747-200 to a 747-400 freighter. The -200 has been leased since 1998. Atlantic Airlines has acquired a 6.25t payload Convair 440 freighter from Portuguese carrier Agroar. Coventry, UK-based Atlantic will use the aircraft on ad hoc cargo charters. International Aviation Support Group has purchased three ex-TWA McDonnell Douglas DC-9-15s in a deal arranged by Fortis. The 33/34-year-old aircraft were retired in December, and will be broken for spares. Icelandic company Elmo Aviation has purchased three ex-Comair Saab 340As, including two from Washington Mutual Bank and one from Equis Financial Group, in a deal arranged by Northstar Aviation Services. Aer Lingus Commuter is boosting its BAe 146 fleet to eight aircraft with the acquisition of two ex-KLM uk -300s. British Airways has ordered one International Aero Engines V2500-powered Airbus A320 for delivery in 2002, taking its orders to 21. ATR has signed memoranda of understanding for 10 new ATR 42/72s, which the manufacturer expects to announce at the Farnborough air show in July. Denim Air has taken five ex-TAM Brazil Fokker 50s on lease from debis AirFinance. Indian Airlines has agreed with GE Capital Aviation Services to extend leases on two Airbus A300B4 by two years, until mid-2002.
Source: Flight International
