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Kenya's Astral Aviation to add A320P2Fs, eyes widebodies

Astral Aviation (8V, Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta) will become the A320-200(P2F)'s global launch operator after it announced it would lease two aircraft of the type from ST Engineering through Vaayu Group.

The first of the pair, msn 2737, is currently completing its P2F conversion process at Singapore Seletar ahead of its delivery to Kenya in May 2022. Though it has yet to enter the conversion line, the second aircraft, msn 2724, will tentatively arrive in January 2023, Astral's chief executive, Sanjeev Gadhia, told ch-aviation.

Together, the two A320 freighters will supplement Astral's existing fleet of two B727-200(F)s, one B767-200(SF), one DC-9-30(CF), one Fokker 27(F), alongside two B747-400(F)s wet-leased from Air Atlanta Icelandic (CC, Reykjavik Keflavik). The carrier is also due three B757-200(PCF)s from US-based Aquila Air Capital.

The A320P2F can handle 10 ULD containers + one pallet position on the main deck, and seven ULD containers on the lower deck. It can haul a payload of 17 tonnes up to 4,700 kilometres and 21...

Editorial Comment: Corrects aircraft ownership - 15.02.2022 - 08:19 UTC

Kenya's Astral Aviation secures B757 freighters

Astral Aviation (8V, Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta) has signed operating leases with US-based Aquila Air Capital for three B757-200(PCF)s, with delivery expected this month upon completion of their scheduled maintenance.

Astral Aviation Chief Executive Officer Sanjeev Gadhia told ch-aviation the freighters are three of the following four aircraft – N605DL (msn 22812), N620DL (msn 22910), N557CM (msn 23687), and N531UA (msn 25042) - that previously flew with ATI - Air Transport International (8C, Wilmington, OH) on behalf of DHL Express. “They were built in 1984, 1986, 1986, and 1991, respectively, and all have Pratt & Whitney PW2000 engines,” he elaborated.

Gadhia said the aircraft would take over scheduled cargo services with increased frequencies between Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta and Johannesburg O.R. Tambo and Nairobi and Dubai World Central, in addition to new scheduled routes to and within Africa and the Middle East in 2022. They would also operate point-to-point for the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines from India and the United Arab Emirates to Africa, in addition to e-commerce...