Germany’s USC prepares for launch as operator certificate granted

Germany-based airline Universal Sky Carrier, which has plans to launch freighter services, has been granted an operating license by the country’s civil aviation authority.

Air Cargo News’ sister magazine FlightGlobal reports that the carrier will initially operate with a single Airbus A340-300 – MSN646 – which is being brought out of “parking condition” and will be ready by the end of the week.

An A340-600 is due for delivery in the coming weeks. The two aircraft will initially be offered for wet-lease and charter operations.

However, the carrier also has plans to convert aircraft into a freighter configuration “as soon as possible” the company’s managing director Klaus Dieter Martin told FlightGlobal.

The work will be carried out by UK-based Avensis Aviation.

The conversion – named Navis PTF – introduces an industry-first “plug-type” maindeck cargo door. It also features a separated crew cabin section, a 9G rigid cargo barrier, a full Class-E cargo compartment and a maindeck cargo loading system (CLS).

When the conversion contract was initially announced back in May, Avensis said that whilst the elements of the Navis conversion are produced, the aircraft will initially be converted with the firm’s reversible Medius conversion solution which removes seats and turns the aircraft into a Class-E freighter without the addition of a cargo door.

The carrier has also been given permission by the US Department of Transportation to conduct cargo flights between the European Union and US.

USC to be launch customer for Avensis’ A340 cargo conversion programme