To handle the expected growth in airfreight volumes, Airlink is set to convert most of its fleet of 13 Jetstream 41 aircraft for the sole use of freight. While there is no set timeline for this programme, the first aircraft will be taking to the skies before the end of July – having already been converted into a three-ton freighter aircraft. “We toyed with the concept early in 2010,” Airlink CEO, Rodger Foster, told FTW. “We recognised that our J41 fleet was not going to be able to handle our growing passenger service and that we needed to upgrade to bigger aircraft. At the same time it made sense to convert the J41s to handle our growing freight service as that would give us increased capacity.” With the first one set to become operational soon, plans are already under way to start work on the conversion of the second. “There is no specific timeframe set to complete the conversion of all thirteen Jetstreams,” said Foster. “As the demand for freighter aircraft gains momentum, we will withdraw Jetstreams from passenger services and commit them to the conversion and thereafter to their new life as dedicated freighters,” said Foster. Airlink Cargo MD, Alwyn Rautenbach, welcomed the initiative saying it increased capability drastically. “We are still growing our belly freight business and will continue to carry cargo on our passenger flights, but we are adding to our service by having a dedicated freighter aeroplane.” He said the aircraft were ideally suited for the small express parcel and courier industry and would be servicing the domestic as well as southern African region. According to Foster no structural changes have been made to the aircraft – they can always be converted back to passenger aircraft if the need should arise.
