Vallair buys six feedstock A321-200s for freighter conversion

(Airbus)

Aircraft trading and leasing company Vallair has acquired six A321-200 aircraft as initial feedstock for the launch of its Airbus A321-200 passenger to freighter (P2F) program.

The Luxembourg-based company said that the aircraft will be attributed to short term lease programs within Vallair’s current portfolio.

The A321 and A320 P2F conversion programs, launched in 2015, are a collaboration between ST Aerospace, its conversion subsidiary EFW and plane manufacturer Airbus.

In February this year, EFW/ST Aerospace won the launch contract to convert 10 Airbus A321-200s to a 14-pallet cargo configuration for Vallair Solutions. The first conversion under this contract will begin towards the end of 2018 for redelivery by the end of 2019.

That deal was in addition to an October 2017 launch announcement by Vallair for a similar conversion program with A321 Precision.

ST Aerospace is responsible for the engineering development phase, up to the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Airbus contributes to the program with Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) data and certification support, while EFW leads the overall program and marketing & sales.

Peter Koster, head of Vallair’s cargo conversions business unit, commented: “The A321 P2F conversion program is the first in its size category to offer containerized loading in both the main deck (up to 14 container positions) and lower deck (up to 10 container positions). With a generous payload-range capability that can carry up to 27.9 metric tons over 2,300 nautical miles, the A321 P2F is the ideal narrow-body freighter aircraft for express domestic and regional operations.

“This recent transaction secures sufficient feedstock for the initial conversion program, and enhances our developing portfolio of assets available on lease. Vallair expects the prototypes of both programs to obtain their initial STC approval by end 2019 ready to enter operation early 2020.”

(AirCargoNews)