Estonian airfreight company Avem Aero has started flying its first 72-500 (F) (72-212A) manufactured by French-Italian aerospace company, ATR.
According to a statement air cargo charter company which specialises in urgent cargo, the maiden flight took place in September when automotive parts were flown from Ostrava in the Czech Republic to Vitoria Fironda in Spain.
The introduction of an ATR aircraft marks a milestone for Avem Aero as the service, which has been running since 2018, started with a fleet of two SAABs 340 and an Antonov (An-26).
The 7 400 kilograms Avem Aero can transport with its ATR would strengthen operational capacity between Europe, North America and the Middle East, said the charter company’s managing director, Nikolay Kurbanov.
“We have taken this aircraft into our fleet because it gives us new perspectives in expanding the range of services we provide to our clients.
“Compared to SAAB aircraft, the ATR takes a larger volume of cargo and flies a longer distance,” Kurbanov said.
He added that where Avem Aero could previously fly 10 standard pallets in SAAB 340s, now they can take 24 pallets in the ATR.
“This allows us to offer our clients more options.”
