Aircraft Conversion to Dedicated Freighter Aircraft Underway for April 2024 Steady Service Launch
Tokyo, June 6, 2023 - Yamato Holdings Co., Ltd. (YHD) and Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (JAL) are excited to announce the commencement of the conversion process for passenger aircraft to dedicated freighter aircraft. The conversion operations officially began on May 8, 2023 (Monday) in Singapore and are expected to be completed by mid-September. This initiative marks a significant milestone as both companies gear up to introduce dedicated freighter aircraft into their operations by April 2024.
Furthermore, YHD and JAL are pleased to inform that flight training for crew members will commence in late November following the ferry flight to Japan, which is scheduled for late October. The route and schedule for the flight training have already been finalized, ensuring a seamless transition to the operation of dedicated freighter aircraft.
1．Aircraft Delivery and Refurbishment Update
（1）Status of delivery
All three aircraft designated for conversion have been successfully delivered.
（2）Status of conversion (conversion from passenger aircraft to dedicated freighter aircraft)
The conversion of the first aircraft, carried out by ST Engineering in Singapore under the management and supervision of Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH (EFW) of Germany*1, commenced on May 8, 2023 (Monday).
＜Aircraft No.1 before the conversion (MSN4173)＞
＜Group photo of the relevant parties commemorating
the commencement of aircraft conversion＞
＜Aircraft stored in a hangar＞
＜Aircraft after passenger seats have been removed＞
The refurbishment process is estimated to be completed by mid-September, with a ferry flight to Japan scheduled for late October. The second and third aircraft are currently parked in France.
A ceremony was held on May 3, 2023 (Wednesday) to mark the beginning of the conversion program, bringing together the relevant parties involved in this endeavor.
*1 EFW has been founded back in 1955, Airbus entered in 1991 and ST Engineering in 2013.
It is a company specializing in the conversion of Airbus aircraft from passenger to freighters.
YAMATO Group is grateful to EFW for granting copy rights and distribution rights for EFW P2F images and video material.
(See also www.efw.aero)
2．Route and Schedule of Flight Training for Flight Crew Members
Spring Japan Co., Ltd., a consolidated subsidiary of JAL responsible for operations, will conduct flight training using actual aircraft (Airbus A321ceo P2F aircraft*3) starting from late November 2023*2.
（1）Route: Narita Airport⇒Kitakyushu Airport⇒Kansai International Airport⇒Narita Airport (twice per day) *The flight training will be conducted in six sections per day.
（2） Schedule*4:
*2 There may be a delay depending on the status of the aircraft conversion.*3 Maximum Payload: 28t/aircraft (equivalent to 5-6 10-ton vehicles)
Loading Containers: AAY containers (Main Deck): 14 units, AKH containers (Lower Deck): 10 units
*4 This is an estimated schedule at this time and is subject to changes.