APOC Aviation and SmartLynx Airlines have partnered to acquire four Airbus A321s in passenger configuration and convert them for cargo operations.
The aircraft will enter service with SmartLynx early next year, bringing its fleet of A321 freighters to 15 aircraft. The four A321s were acquired from the Finnair fleet and entered service in 1999 and 2000. Their manufacturer’s serial numbers are 941, 961, 1185, and 1241.
“The A321 is an interesting asset because it can be converted to a freighter and there is significant activity in this sector of the market right now,” says Jasper van den Boogaard, VP Airframe Acquisition & Trading at APOC. “It can also be used for low-cost/long-haul operations (because of its efficiency and range) and it is attractive for part out. The flexibility to utilize any one of these three options made this an exceptional opportunity for the business.”
“Acquiring four well-maintained sistership airframes was an important addition to the SmartLynx Airlines conversion chain, which begins with sourcing the right feedstock as a first step,” commented Zygimantas Surintas, Smartlynx Airlines CEO.