Brazilian Carrier Expands Express Delivery Services in South America
Brazilian airline Azul has recently added its first converted Airbus A321 freighter to its fleet, following the approval of the aircraft modification by the National Civil Aviation Agency (NCAA). Announced by Airbus affiliate Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH (EFW), the cargo division is set to receive a second A321 passenger-to-freighter model in December. These aircraft are being leased from AerCap, a key customer of EFW.
Azul Cargo Express is expected to be the first to operate the A321 freighter in Brazil. Currently, the airline operates two older Boeing 737-400 converted freighters and five Embraer E195 freighters, which are modified by removing passenger seats for parcel transport. While these aircraft are equipped with smoke detection and fire suppression systems, they lack the large cargo doors and other features necessary for transporting heavy containers, which the A321s have.
The cargo division also leverages Azul’s passenger network for express parcel and cargo deliveries both domestically and internationally. With 320 cargo retail stores across Brazil and several other countries, Azul claims a 35% share of the domestic air cargo market, with Amazon being one of its primary clients.
In contrast, startup airline Levu Air Cargo received an A321 converted freighter on lease from SmartLynx Airlines in May but has not commenced commercial operations. This delay may stem from the lack of NCAA certification for air operations, despite receiving the conversion certificate in early September.
Izabel Reis, director of Azul Cargo Express, commented, “The arrival of a new aircraft… allows us to provide greater capacity and better service to our customers. These modern aircraft offer more space and reliability for international flights, promoting a logistical transformation and enhancing delivery speed for Brazilians.”
Since initiating its conversion program in 2020, EFW has redelivered over 55 A321 cargo jets worldwide. The conversion programs have received validation from key aviation authorities across major continents, facilitating global airline operations with A321 and A330 converted freighters. EFW plans to market the A321 freighters throughout South America, with clients including Qantas, Lufthansa Cargo, SmartLynx, Japan Airlines, and Global Crossing Airlines.
The A321 freighters can carry over 30 tons and provide 14 main-deck pallet positions, with the option for small containers in the belly hold. Compared to Azul’s existing 737-400 fleet, the new freighters offer a 39% increase in weight capacity, 50% more volume, a 27% improvement in fuel efficiency per metric ton, and they can operate at a higher daily frequency.
In November, Azul also opened a new cargo terminal at Vitoria Airport, enhancing its capacity to handle up to 432,000 packages per month. This follows expansions at both Congonhas and Viracopos airports last year. Furthermore, Azul has indicated ongoing discussions regarding a potential merger with Gol, Brazil’s second-largest airline, which is currently in U.S. bankruptcy protection and operates a freighter division with six Boeing 737-800 converted freighters for Mercado Livre.
Another newcomer in Brazil’s air cargo market is Modern Logistics.
