Efforts are under way to ensure a long-term future for large turboprop airliners through freight door conversions of the ATR family and BAe ATP. Large cargo door conversions of airliners from both manufacturers made public debuts at last month's Farnborough air show.
The ATP freighter is being developed by cargo airline West Air Sweden in conjunction with BAE Systems, with conversions carried out at the airline's facilities in Lidkîping, Sweden. The freighter version has an 8,500kg (18,700lb) payload and can carry up to eight LD3 or five LD4 containers and pallets. The installation of the 6 x 1.7m high (104 x 68in) cargo door and E Class cargo interior is priced at $1 million.
West Air has eight ATPs in service and intends to install the door on additional aircraft at a rate of four a year. Its ATP freighters are marketed to operators on a cost per hour basis.
The aircraft offers a similar capability to the freighter version of the ATR 72, but "the ATP is lighter and has 2% lower fuel consumption, but maintenance costs are higher", says West Air chief executive Gustaf Thureborn, adding: "We are working to lower them."
The airline aims to acquire two more ATPs this year. West Air is expanding operations across Europe, recently purchasing French freight carrier Air Provence and setting up a base in Luxembourg.
Meanwhile, ATR partner Finmeccanica's maintenance arm Aeronavali is to install large cargo doors in four ATR 72s for Alaskan carrier Northern Air Cargo. It follows certification of the first large-door ATR 72 conversion by Aeronavali, for parcels carrier Farnair, which will fly the aircraft on FedEx Express's European network.
Source: Flight International
