‘Four A321CEO P2F with 27 tn capacity ready by 2023’

“Our partnership with Airbus for Freighter programme will help strengthen our CarGo business and act as a strong engine of economic growth for the country. We have received our first A321 Freighter aircraft, converted from passenger jet to a full freighter configuration,” informed Mahesh Malik, Chief Commercial Officer- CarGo, IndiGo. The A321P2F (Passenger-to-Freighter conversion) is the most efficient narrow-bodied freighter available, offering 24 container positions and supporting a payload of up to 27 tonnes.” “These have been converted through a programme involving ST Engineering and Airbus with their joint venture, Elbe FlugzeugWerke (EFW). The aircraft is uniquely capable for IndiGo, using our current vast pool of A320 family pilots, and able to service markets between China in the east and the Gulf in the west. IndiGo leased the aircraft from funds serviced by Castlelake Aviation Holdings (Ireland) Limited, part of a global alternative investment firm with 17 years of tenure investing in, financing, and managing aviation assets. IndiGo inducted its first dedicated cargo aircraft in September and will induct the next two by October 2022 and another two in 2023. We have now initiated a proper freighter programme after using our passenger aircraft for cargo operations during covid. We are in the process of converting 4 A321CEO to freighters with a capacity of 25-27 tonnes by 2023. Indian airlines are increasing their cargo capacity, with the segment emerging as a critical and promising revenue stream in the last two years. India’s dedicated freighter fleet has seen a dramatic rise in numbers—from just five to 28 aircraft. The number is set to rise further as airlines are looking to add aircraft only for cargo operations, as it fared better than the passenger segment during the pandemic. The dedicated freighter fleet of India has seen a dramatic rise to 28 aircraft from 5 over the last few years. This number is set to rise even further as airlines in India are looking to add dedicated aircraft for cargo operations, which have fared better than passenger segment amid the COVID pandemic,” he added.