Airlines

IndiGo receives its first A321 Freighter aircraft for cargo service

Today, IndiGo, the largest airline in India, took delivery of its first freighter aircraft as part of an effort to launch a dedicated cargo service.

IndiGo Cargo operated its first international flight between Kolkata-Yangon

Today, IndiGo, the largest airline in India, took delivery of its first freighter aircraft as part of an effort to launch a dedicated cargo service.

The airline recently took delivery of an Airbus A321 freighter that had been completely modified in Singapore from a passenger plane to a freighter configuration. According to IndiGo, the aircraft will be used for both local and international operations, carrying goods like valuables, emergency shipments, perishables, general cargo, documents, and couriers.

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The A321 freighter will have 24 places for containers and be able to carry up to 27 tonnes of payload. Through a program run by ST Engineering and Airbus through their joint venture, these are being transformed.

India has had a tremendous increase in its dedicated freighter fleet during the past few years, reaching a total of 28 aircraft. Given that cargo operations, which have fared better than passenger segments during the Covid epidemic, are expected to grow, Indian airlines are aiming to add more dedicated cargo aircraft.

According to data from the Airports Authority of India, during 2021–22 (Apr–Mar), 3.14 million tonnes of freight was handled by all operating airports in India. During the same period, 85.1 million passengers flew by air.

As well-known airlines like IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Bluedart strive to add more freight-carrying aircraft, the number of specialized freighter aircraft in India is expected to rise.

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Airlines

Sanctions & Engine Issues Ground Half of Russia’s A320neo fleet

Russia’s aviation sector, already strained by Western sanctions, faces another setback as nearly half of its Airbus A320neo family aircraft are grounded due to unresolved engine issues.

This development highlights the growing challenges for russia commercial aircraft in maintaining their fleets under the weight of global restrictions and limited access to spare parts.

Out of the 66 Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets in Russia, 34 are now out of service, according to the Kommersant business newspaper. These planes are powered by engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

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The engines are affected by a previously identified defect in the metal used for certain parts, prompting accelerated inspections and maintenance.

Sanctions have compounded the issue, blocking the supply of essential components from major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. Without proper maintenance, experts warn that these aircraft may face decommissioning as early as 2026.

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Airlines like S7, which operates a significant portion of these grounded jets, plan to conserve the engines for future use during peak travel seasons. However, reports suggest that over 20 of S7’s Airbus planes have engines that have already reached the end of their operational lifespan. Recently, russia seeks assistance from kazakhstan’s airlines to bolster its domestic flights.

While some A320neo and A321neo planes in Russia are equipped with French-made LEAP engines, which are seen as less problematic, the challenges remain daunting.

The situation underscores the long-term impact of sanctions on Russia’s aviation sector and the increasing difficulties in keeping its modern fleets operational.