Major ATP Freighter Fleet Expansion For Atlantic Airlines

Hatfield, Herts. UK freight carrier Atlantic Airlines has signed agreements with BAE Systems Regional Aircraft for the long-term lease of a further six ATP Freighters.

The addition of the six leased ATPFs will bring the airline’s operational fleet of this 8-tonne freighter aircraft type to eleven.

The first two leased aircraft (msn 2012 and 2013) were delivered in the last quarter of 2007 to Atlantic Airlines’ engineering facility at Coventry Airport, following conversion into a Large Freight Door (LFD) variant at the Romaero plant in Baneasa, Bucharest.

At Coventry, Atlantic Airlines installs the BAE Systems E-Class interior into these aircraft. The first aircraft was completed late in 2007 and has entered into revenue service, with the second to enter service early in 2008.

The remaining four leased aircraft are also being converted at Romaero. The first delivery this year will be in the first quarter (msn 2008), followed by two in the second quarter (msns 2007 and 2014) and the final aircraft in the third quarter (msn 2016)

The airline currently operates a total of five ATPFs. Four of these are LFD variants and are leased from Regional Aircraft. The fifth aircraft is a bulk-loaded E-Class variant that is leased from International Air Parts Pty Ltd.

Paul Stirling, Senior Vice President Asset Management for BAE Systems Regional Aircraft said today: “We are delighted to secure this order for a further fleet of ATPFs from one of Europe’s leading freight airlines. It is always gratifying to secure repeat business from an existing customer and we wish Atlantic well with their new ATPF operations.”

All Atlantic Airlines ATPFs are configured to operate either as fully containerised aircraft with the airline’s own bespoke handling system and ULDs, or as a fully bulk-loading aircraft with a vertical transverse net configuration, providing up to a maximum of nine individual loading zones.