Swiftair has announced a leasing agreement with AerCap for two Airbus A321 Passenger-to-Freighter (P2F) aircraft, making it the first Spanish company to operate this converted freighter model.
The aircraft will be converted by Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH (EFW) at ST Engineering Aerospace in Singapore, and its delivery to Swiftair is scheduled for April and June 2024. The Spanish company will operate services in Europe and Africa for its international logistics clients and intends to replace its Boeing 757s.
«We are pleased to announce our agreement to lease two Airbus A321P2F aircraft to our long-term client, Swiftair,» said Rich Greener, head of AerCap Cargo. The lessor highlights the fuel efficiency and flexibility of the A321P2F compared to other similar-sized aircraft, such as the Boeing 757.
«In line with our commitment to more efficient and sustainable growth, we are delighted to welcome two of the world’s quietest and most economical cargo aircraft», stated Salvador Moreno, CEO of Swiftair.
AerCap and the Airbus A321 P2F
In 2022, AerCap announced a firm order for 15 Airbus A321-200P2F aircraft conversions and an option for an additional 15 conversions with EFW. According to Cirium Fleet, the lessor currently owns one Airbus A321 P2F operated by IndiGO.
The Airbus 321 (P2F) is a cargo variant of the Airbus A321 and offers a payload capacity of up to 27 tons. It provides up to 14 full-container positions on the main deck, in addition to the unique container of the A320 family (up to 10 container positions) and palletized cargo capacity on the lower deck.
Currently, there are 31 A321 P2F aircraft in operation, including those operated by European Air Transport (DHL), Express Freighters Australia (Qantas Freight), IndiGo, GlobalX, and Lufthansa Cargo, among others.
SwiftAir, one of Europe’s Largest Cargo Airlines
With 100% Spanish capital, Swiftair operates a fleet of 42 aircraft, consisting of four ATR 42, twelve ATR 72, one Boeing 737-300, nine Boeing 737-400, seven Boeing 737-800, and three Boeing 757-200 aircraft. In addition, the airline has four ATR 72s configured for passengers.
Swiftair has contracts with various airlines and logistics companies such as DHL, FedEx, West Atlantic, and UPS, among others. According to Swiftair, they fly to 45 countries, cover 75 routes, and perform approximately 40,000 flights per year.
On July 25th, the airline inaugurated its new facilities at Barajas Airport, which include an office building and a 6,400 m2 hangar with a height of 30 meters.
