Romanian wet-lease carrier Jetran Air is claiming to be the first operator of ICAO Chapter 4-compliant Boeing MD-82 aircraft following the retrofit of one example with a modification developed by Texas-based Comtran.
The modification, known as the Advanced Jet Nozzle, secured European Aviation Safety Agency certification in June this year.
Bucharest-based Jetran Air – whose customers include Air One, KTHY, MNG Airlines, Blue Air and the United Nations – has six aircraft. The modification has been installed on a 25-year old example registered YR-MDS.
Comtran claims the modification to the MD-80’s Pratt & Whitney JT8D engines does not increase the type’s fuel consumption or degrade its performance. It also says the system can reduce maintenance costs by lowering the exhaust gas temperature.
Jetran Air received certification for the modification from Romania’s civil aviation authorities on 15 October. It says it will convert its entire fleet the same way, adding that the adaptation adds 15 years to the service life of the aircraft.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
