The first Airbus A321 P2F (Passenger-to-Freighter) to be delivered to Global Crossing Airlines (GlobalX) began its conversion process from passenger to freighter configuration. The work is being carried out at ST Engineering’s facility in San Antonio, Texas.
In 2021, the two companies signed a letter of intent to lease up to five A321 P2F. In addition to leasing freighter aircraft, GlobalX will also use the engineering and maintenance services provided by ST Engineering to support the operation of its passenger and freighter aircraft. Delivery of the first converted aircraft is scheduled for the third quarter of this year.
The aircraft will serve GlobalX Cargo. In addition, the operator will use the engineering and maintenance services provided by ST Engineering to support its operations. The airline currently offers ACMI (provides aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance) charter services. It is based in Miami, Florida.
Ed Wegel, Chairman and CEO of Global Crossing Airlines, said they are working on the aircraft’s certification process by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The company expects to obtain the appropriate ratings next October and to operate up to 25 Airbus A321 freighters by 2025.
#GlobalX CEO Ed Wegel performed the ceremonial door cutting today for its first A321 P2F aircraft by ST Engineering at its airframe facility in San Antonio. The first of 5 A321 P2F aircraft that GlobalX and ST Engineering will lease for GlobalX Cargo. https://t.co/2lV2x0Yb2H pic.twitter.com/0l8vXe5yeN
— GlobalX Airlines (@globalxairlines) April 14, 2022
Yip Hin Meng, Head of Aviation Asset Management at ST Engineering, said the company is ready to «support operators with a comprehensive suite of solutions to address their various needs, from leasing to engineering and maintenance services».
In the current context of growing demand for air cargo services, aircraft conversions are gaining prominence. Last March, the Airbus A320 P2F was certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Both models will provide operators wider range of choices when selecting the most suitable aircraft for their services.
Note: On April 25, this article was updated to reflect that the aircraft lessor is ST Engineering.
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