Azul Cargo Express launches two Airbus A321P2Fs into service
The inaugural flight is set for February 15, with these aircraft transporting cargo on domestic routes between Campinas, Recife, and Manaus in Brazil.
The logistics division of Brazilian airline Azul Linhas Aéreas, Azul Cargo Express, has launched two of its new Airbus A321P2F aircraft. Azul’s maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) hangar at Viracopos International Airport in Campinas, Brazil, was the site of the aircraft's launch.
The inaugural flight is scheduled for February 15. These aircraft will transport cargo on domestic routes between Campinas, Recife, and Manaus in Brazil.
The two aircraft, registered as PS-AJA and PS-AJB, were previously operated by China Southern Airlines as passenger jets before being converted into freighters. China Southern Airlines withdrew PS-AJA from service on August 26, 2023, after which it was acquired by AerCap for conversion. Similarly, PS-AJB was withdrawn on January 17, 2024, and subsequently acquired by AerCap. PS-AJA is 18.8 years old, while PS-AJB is 18.7 years old, according to data by Planespotters.net.
Both aircraft were received by Azul Cargo Express in October and November last year and are leased from AerCap.
Azul Cargo Express stated in a LinkedIn post that these new aircraft are designed to carry up to 27 tonnes of cargo, with a volumetric capacity of 212 m³, providing greater efficiency and sustainability. Compared to the current fleet, they offer a 39% increase in payload capacity and a 27% reduction in fuel consumption per tonne, along with annual CO₂ savings of up to 9,000 tonnes per aircraft.
John Rodgerson, CEO, Azul Brazilian Airlines, with the new freighter
“The arrival of these two new freighters puts Azul on the path to continue revolutionising cargo transport in Brazil. And this is only possible thanks to our customers and our crew members who make this operation happen every day,” says John Rodgerson, CEO, Azul Brazilian Airlines in a LinkedIn post.
Azul Cargo Express also operates two Boeing 737-400 converted freighters and five Embraer ERJ-195 preighters( passenger aircraft temporarily converted for cargo operations by loading freight in the passenger cabin).
Abhi Shah, President, Azul Linhas Aéreas, mentions in a LinkedIn post, “With the presence of our commercial partners, customers, and crew members who have been working for a long time for this moment to arrive, we had the opportunity to get to know the aircraft from the inside, to be able to share with our customers more details about the operation, to show the capacity of the aircraft and, thus, to start a new era of air cargo transport in Brazil.”
