Summary
- AeroUnion’s new Airbus A330-300 P2F will increase Avianca Cargo’s capacity by 60% and enhance service to the US West Coast.
- The plane will specialize in transporting delicate perishable products while maintaining their freshness at a specific temperature.
- It is the first of five A330s expected to join the fleet between this year and next year.
Avianca Cargo and AeroUnion commenced operations of a new Airbus A330-300 P2F (passenger-to-freighter) last week. The two carriers announced the development as part of a celebration of the first year of their strategic partnership.
The aircraft formerly flew with passenger airlines based in several global markets. Now, with a new life as a freighter, AeroUnion will operate the plane and transport key goods to the US.
1st flight on the 4th of July
Avianca Cargo is the leading cargo carrier in Colombia, while AeroUnion offers scheduled cargo services from its base at Mexico City International Airport (MEX). This week, the two carriers are celebrating one year of a commercial cooperation agreement, which has enabled high operating standards, new business opportunities, modernized fleets, and consolidated services across the Colombian, Mexican, and North American markets.
Photo: Avianca Cargo
The new A330-300 P2F began operations on the fourth of July, from MEX to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). It is expected to increase cargo capacity by 60% compared to AeroUnion’s four other aircraft it operates. According to ch-aviation, the plane is registered as N337QT.
“An ideal aircraft”
Avianca Cargo’s Senior Vice President and Leader, Diogo Elias, spoke about the significance of the new aircraft.
“Freight transportation has shown significant improvement in recent years compared to pre-pandemic levels. Latin American exports have increased by approximately 16%, while imports have seen a 10% recovery. The A330 is an ideal aircraft due to its higher volumetric capacity and lower environmental impact, attributed to enhanced fuel efficiency per ton.”
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N337QT will serve routes along the US West Coast, which will enhance service offerings to key markets worldwide. It could also operate flights to Miami International Airport (MIA), Avianca Cargo’s largest US market. However, with its established presence in the West, the airline expects LAX will become its second main US cargo hub.
Photo: Avianca Cargo
The aircraft will specialize in carrying perishable products such as fruits and flowers. Elias said specific details were considered when selecting the new freighter for its operations, given that flowers are delicate. During transport, the cargo hold of the A330 P2F must be around 37 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celsius) to maintain freshness. The airline also has facilities at MIA, LAX, and El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá, Colombia, to handle the flowers. In addition to flowers and fruits, the aircraft will also transport oversized cargo for the automotive, mining, and oil sectors, along with e-commerce and parcel shipments.
A new life
According to Planespotters.net, N337QT is a 17-year-old A330-300 that has flown with six other airlines/operators during its lifetime. It was delivered to China Eastern Airlines in October 2006 and flew for the carrier for more than a decade. In 2018, it was picked up by aircraft leasing company CDB Aviation, then subsequently transferred to SmartLynx Malta to be leased before being converted and coming to AeroUnion in April of this year.
“We are happy to receive the new A330 P2F, an aircraft that comes to reinforce our service and reliability offer, increasing our volumetric capacity and improving our connectivity to the West Coast markets in our region,” said Danilo Correa, AeroUnion’s CEO.
Photo: Avianca Cargo
The aircraft is the first of five A330s expected to join AeroUnion’s fleet between 2024 and 2025. The carrier currently operates the A300 and Boeing 767-200 aircraft types. Avianca Cargo utilizes a fleet of six A330s. Its route network connects more than 68 destinations with 220 weekly cargo flights. The airline also utilizes over 1,800 passenger flights for cargo transport.
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