Astral adds second 737-400F
28 / 11 / 2024
Image source: Astral Aviation
Kenyan cargo airline Astral Aviation has taken delivery of a Boeing 737-400 freighter leased from Avmax Group as it continues to modernise its fleet.
The freighter operator said in a LinkedIn post on Wednesday November 27 that the 737-400F was delivered on Thursday November 21. The 737-400F, capable of carrying 18 tonnes, is the second of its type to join the cargo airline’s fleet, with the first 737-400F delivered by Canadian lessor Avmax in June.
“The B737-400F will soon operate on Astral Aviation’s scheduled and charter network from its Nairobi Hub to over 20 destinations in East, Central, Southern, Horn of Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands.”
The new aircraft, MSN 27082, has been registered as 5Y-JSK on Astral Aviation’s air operator’s certificate (AOC).
As of June, Astral Aviation, which has hubs in Nairobi, Dubai, Johannesburg and Liege, operated one Boeing 757F, one Boeing 767F, two Boeing 727Fs, one McDonnell Douglas DC9F and three Fokker 50s. Air Cargo News has requested confirmation of the current fleet.
The airline also had two 767Fs on order, due for delivery this year, plus plans to add two Embraer E190Fs next year, following a deal with Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) in 2022.
Astral’s latest investment marks an important step in its fleet modernisation plan as all the aircraft in the fleet are currently over 30 year old. The 737-400F replaces Astral’s sole McDonnell Douglas DC9F, which was operational since 2009 and was this year retired.
The airline said it now “looks forward to acquiring additional B737-400F and B737-800F” aircraft as part of its narrow-body fleet renewal plan which will operate from its Nairobi Hub, and enable the airline to meet its sustainability goals which includes a 5% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030″.
Astral’s latest network investment has seen it add China to its network with the addition of a route from Guangzhou to Nairobi with an onward connection to Maputo in Mozambique. Air Charter Service Hong Kong was the launch customer for the new route which will be served by a 767F
