Astral Aviation (8V, Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta) has announced plans to gradually replace its fleet of two DC-9-30(F)s with three MD-83(SF)s. According to the airline, the first MD-83 will undergo conversion into a freighter in Miami in September this year with its operational début set for January 2014. A further two MD-83s will undergo conversion during the course of 2014. The aircraft form part of what Astral terms "a cautious expansion strategy" which will see it expanding its presence into the East African region, with newly launched destinations including Moroni International, Pemba, MZ and Juba via Entebbe.