Latest news with #ATR72600
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
FedEx buys world's first ATR 72-600 passenger-to-freighter aircraft
FedEx will operate the world's first ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft to undergo conversion from passenger to freighter configuration after signing a purchase agreement last week. Dublin-based ACIA Aero Leasing said it plans to deliver the converted freighter to FedEx (NYSE: FDX) by December, according to a news release. It's possible the plane could enter commercial service before the end of the year or in early 2026. Neither company has indicated where the cargo plane will be deployed, but there are several possibilities based on existing business relationships. The last time FedEx acquired a converted freighter — a Boeing 757 — was in 2016. Most of the 757 fleet consists of converted aircraft. FedEx last received a converted ATR freighter — an ATR 72-200 — was in 2011, company spokesman Jonathan Lyons said. FedEx owns 24 factory-built ATR 72-600 freighters, 19 older ATR 72-200s and 16 ATR 42s, which it supplies to partner airlines in North America and Europe to fly feeder routes on its behalf. Of the 24 ATR 72-600s, 13 are based in Europe: Spain-based Swiftair operates four of them for FedEx and nine are with ASL Airlines Ireland. The remaining aircraft are almost evenly split between Idaho-based Empire Airlines, Gulf & Caribbean Cargo and Mountain Air Cargo, according to the Flightradar24 database. Mountain Air Cargo and Empire Airlines operate the ATR 72-200s, along with Morningstar Air Express in Canada. ACIA launched the ATR 72-600 series conversion program in mid-2024 on a speculative basis. An ACIA subsidiary designed the aircraft modification kit, holds the certificate for commercial use and selected Empire Aerospace, the maintenance and repair sister of Empire Airlines, to perform the structural modifications. Empire Airlines connects smaller cities in the western half of the United States to FedEx hubs. The conversion process requires technicians to remove the existing upper and lower skin sections, door and door frame; completely rebuild the door frame and surrounding support for the outer surface layer; install a wide cargo door; reinforce the interior floor; and install fire protective liners in the cargo compartment. Empire says the process can take four to seven months, depending on customer specifications. ACIA said FedEx will use the ATR 72-600 converted freighter to replace an older aircraft. FedEx has six more ATR's scheduled for delivery by the end of next year under a pre-existing order. In March, FedEx placed a firm order with Toulouse, France-based ATR for 10 additional ATR 72-600 production freighters, with deliveries scheduled between 2027 and 2029. With a payload of about 10 tons, the ATR 72-600 can carry bulk cargo, five 88-by-108-foot pallets or up to seven smaller LD3 containers. Click here for more FreightWaves/American Shipper stories by Eric Kulisch. RELATED READING: FedEx orders Boeing 777 and ATR cargo aircraft, delays MD-11 retirements FedEx converts parcel freighter to heavy cargo operation The post FedEx buys world's first ATR 72-600 passenger-to-freighter aircraft appeared first on FreightWaves.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
FedEx buys world's first ATR 72-600 passenger-to-freighter aircraft
FedEx will operate the world's first ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft to undergo conversion from passenger to freighter configuration after signing a purchase agreement last week. Dublin-based ACIA Aero Leasing said it plans to deliver the converted freighter to FedEx (NYSE: FDX) by December, according to a news release. It's possible the plane could enter commercial service before the end of the year or in early 2026. Neither company has indicated where the cargo plane will be deployed, but there are several possibilities based on existing business relationships. The last time FedEx acquired a converted freighter — a Boeing 757 — was in 2016. Most of the 757 fleet consists of converted aircraft. FedEx last received a converted ATR freighter — an ATR 72-200 — was in 2011, company spokesman Jonathan Lyons said. FedEx owns 24 factory-built ATR 72-600 freighters, 19 older ATR 72-200s and 16 ATR 42s, which it supplies to partner airlines in North America and Europe to fly feeder routes on its behalf. Of the 24 ATR 72-600s, 13 are based in Europe: Spain-based Swiftair operates four of them for FedEx and nine are with ASL Airlines Ireland. The remaining aircraft are almost evenly split between Idaho-based Empire Airlines, Gulf & Caribbean Cargo and Mountain Air Cargo, according to the Flightradar24 database. Mountain Air Cargo and Empire Airlines operate the ATR 72-200s, along with Morningstar Air Express in Canada. ACIA launched the ATR 72-600 series conversion program in mid-2024 on a speculative basis. An ACIA subsidiary designed the aircraft modification kit, holds the certificate for commercial use and selected Empire Aerospace, the maintenance and repair sister of Empire Airlines, to perform the structural modifications. Empire Airlines connects smaller cities in the western half of the United States to FedEx hubs. The conversion process requires technicians to remove the existing upper and lower skin sections, door and door frame; completely rebuild the door frame and surrounding support for the outer surface layer; install a wide cargo door; reinforce the interior floor; and install fire protective liners in the cargo compartment. Empire says the process can take four to seven months, depending on customer specifications. ACIA said FedEx will use the ATR 72-600 converted freighter to replace an older aircraft. FedEx has six more ATR's scheduled for delivery by the end of next year under a pre-existing order. In March, FedEx placed a firm order with Toulouse, France-based ATR for 10 additional ATR 72-600 production freighters, with deliveries scheduled between 2027 and 2029. With a payload of about 10 tons, the ATR 72-600 can carry bulk cargo, five 88-by-108-foot pallets or up to seven smaller LD3 containers. Click here for more FreightWaves/American Shipper stories by Eric Kulisch. RELATED READING: FedEx orders Boeing 777 and ATR cargo aircraft, delays MD-11 retirements FedEx converts parcel freighter to heavy cargo operation The post FedEx buys world's first ATR 72-600 passenger-to-freighter aircraft appeared first on FreightWaves.
BBC News
16-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Blue Islands CEO apologises as new plane joins fleet
The CEO of a Channel Islands airline has apologised to customers for service disruptions whilst introducing a new plane to its Islands said its new aircraft G-ISLP, its first ATR 72-600, was "ready to welcome" passengers on board this company removed 28 flights from its summer schedule in May due to a damaged plane and the new aircraft being delayed. Rob Veron, CEO of Blue Islands, said in a social media post that the past few months had been "challenging for our passengers". He said: "I know many of you feel let down. Aircraft maintenance issues, delayed parts, and weather damage all hit us simultaneously, causing last-minute cancellations and disruption."On top of that, this new aircraft, meant to solve these problems, was delayed by supply chain issues, which only added to the problem." 'Genuinely sorry' Jersey's government said in May that it might take action against the airline if its services did not improve, with particular concern for islanders travelling to hospitals in the UK for health Veron said as an islander he understood the importance of reliable transport."I'm genuinely sorry for the frustration and inconvenience this has caused," he said. "Whether you missed important business meetings, family gatherings, or medical appointments, I know our service disruptions had real impacts on your lives. "The good news is this new aircraft is now here and ready to help us earn back your trust."The new aircraft has additional capacity, Mr Veron said, and the airline was committed to keeping on schedule in future."Over the coming weeks, you can expect fewer cancellations, better resilience, and the dependable service that connects our island communities with each other, the UK and Europe."
The Sun
16-05-2025
- The Sun
Horrifying moment plane engine panel comes off mid-air and begins to flap dangerously just inches from the propeller
THIS is the horrifying moment a plane engine panel came off mid-air, sending passengers into a frenzy. Terrifying footage taken from inside the plane shows the panel flapping dangerously - just inches away from the propeller. 4 4 The ATR 72-600 plane got into trouble shortly after taking off from Kaohsiung International Airport on Friday morning. Dramatic footage shows the metal panel of the aircraft flapping violently in the wind - leaving the engine exposed. And for one nail-biting moment sparks can be seen flying as the panel comes within inches of the rotating propeller. Passengers reportedly raised the alarm when the plane began to shake out of control. The pilots quickly declared an in-flight emergency and returned the aircraft to Kaohsiung One panic-stricken passenger said: "Not long after take off, the plane started shaking. "Everyone looked out the window and began shouting for the flight attendants. "The scariest part was that the flight attendants didn't say anything, but their eyes looked terrified. "That scared me even more." An investigation has been launched to determine what caused the mechanical failure. Shocking moment 'half-devil' passenger tries to stab flight attendant & open emergency exit in horror midair attack This comes after a police plane crashed into the sea in Thailand, leaving at least five people dead. The aircraft was caught on camera nosediving into the water before reportedly being split in two upon impact. Officials confirmed the plane was just over 300ft off shore at the time of the fatal plummet. Only one passenger is believed to have survived the horror smash, according to a spokesperson from the Royal Thai Police. Four died upon impact with their bodies being recovered by emergency crews as a fifth was declared dead in hospital. 4
