Global Crossing Airlines has announced it will acquire four Airbus A321P2F (Passenger-to-Freighter) aircraft starting next year. The Miami-based startup, which provides wet leasing and charter flights around the U.S, Caribbean and Latin America, will acquire the planes from Greenwich Highland Aviation as early as January 2022. After converting the aircraft, the first A321 freighter is expected to enter service in July 2022.
Four A321 freighters
Global Crossing Airlines, also known as GlobalX, has turned its eyes to the cargo game with the acquisition of four A321P2Fs. The ACMI and charter airline, which only just received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) in August, will convert the four A321s into freighters beginning early next year.
Ed Wegel, Chairman and CEO of Global Crossing Airlines, said,
“We are very pleased to enter into these orders for long-term leases with Greenwich Highland – an experienced and successful lessor who understand the narrowbody freighter market and our particular requirements.”
The airline will acquire the aircraft from Greenwich Highland Aviation, an aviation leasing and trading company. The company was established in 2011 by a group of aviation professionals.
According to its official website, the firm “concentrates on opportunities based around mid-to-end of life mainstream Airbus and Boeing equipment with a focus on the underlying value of the engines, which are typically of IAE, CFM, GE and P&W manufacture.”
Stuart Peebles, Principal of Greenwich Highland Aviation, said,
“We are very impressed with GlobalX’s execution of their business plan and their progress in building a world-class charter airline. We look forward to working closely with Ed and his great team to deliver these four aircraft and more as we continue to develop our mutually successful long term partnership.”
The first freighter will be converted in January
Global Crossing Airlines is set to receive the first A321 in January 2022, which it will begin converting into a freighter. The aircraft (MSN 1438) is then expected to enter service in July 2022 as a freighter. The second A321 (MSN 1953) is set to undergo conversion in June 2022 and will enter service by December.
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The final two A321s are expected to arrive in 2023 for conversion and should enter service in the same year. These two aircraft will be leased to Global Crossing Airlines after their conversion into freighters. The airline added that it expects to grow its cargo fleet in the future, most likely through a similar arrangement with Greenwich Highland Aviation.
Ed Wegel added,
“We hope and expect to expand this deal beyond the first four aircraft and convert more A321s with Greenwich Highland Aviation.”
The Global Crossing fleet
The agreement with Greenwich Highland Aviation for four A321s will almost double Global Crossing Airlines’ fleet size in the next two years. The airline’s fleet currently consists of two Airbus A320-200s and one Airbus A321-200. The two A320s are over 13 and 15 years old respectively, while its A321 is over 16 years old.
Global Crossing is also expecting two additional Airbus planes, one A320 and one A321, which are set to arrive by the end of the year. Additionally, the airline has stated its interest in acquiring an A330, its first widebody aircraft, in the second quarter of 2022.
Do you think this is a smart move by Global Crossing Airlines? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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